Gerald Broadnax

The 101st Engineer Battalion is one of the oldest units in the United States Army, with origins tracing back to 1636 as part of the Massachusetts colonial militia. The unit has participated in every major American conflict, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II, providing crucial engineering support such as constructing fortifications, bridges, and clearing obstacles. During World War II, the battalion served in the European Theater, notably participating in campaigns across Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. In recent years, the 101st Engineer Battalion has supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of service and adaptability in modern combat engineering roles.

The 502nd Engineer Company is a combat engineer unit in the United States Army with a distinguished history of supporting mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability operations. Activated during World War II, the unit provided critical engineering support in the European Theater, constructing bridges, clearing minefields, and enabling the advance of Allied forces. In subsequent decades, the 502nd has deployed in support of operations in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East, adapting to evolving battlefield requirements. Today, the 502nd Engineer Company continues to serve as a vital asset, ensuring freedom of maneuver for U.S. and allied forces worldwide.