87th Engineer Battalion

• World War II Origins: The 87th Engineer Battalion was activated on 15 July 1941 at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, primarily to support World War II operations. • Normandy Campaign: The battalion participated in the Normandy landings, arriving in France in July 1944 and playing a crucial role in constructing bridges and clearing obstacles for advancing Allied forces. • Red Ball Express: The unit was involved in the famous "Red Ball Express," a massive logistics operation that kept supplies moving to the front lines after D-Day. • Bridge Building Expertise: The 87th specialized in building Bailey bridges, often working under enemy fire to ensure the mobility of Allied armored columns. • Battle Honors: The battalion earned multiple campaign streamers for its service in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, the 87th Engineer Battalion supported both combat and construction missions, including building roads and fortifications. • Vietnam War Deployments: Deployed to Vietnam in 1966, the battalion worked on building and maintaining critical infrastructure such as airfields, bases, and supply routes. • Operation Desert Storm: Elements of the 87th Engineer Battalion participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, providing vital engineering support during the liberation of Kuwait. • Humanitarian Missions: The unit was involved in disaster relief, including hurricane recovery efforts in the United States and humanitarian construction projects abroad. • Legacy and Inactivation: The 87th Engineer Battalion was inactivated in 2004 at Fort Stewart, Georgia, leaving a legacy of over 60 years of distinguished service across multiple conflicts and continents.