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History of HHC 20th Engineer Battalion

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 20th Engineer Battalion (HHC 20th EN BN), was first constituted in the Regular Army in 1917 and organized at Camp Sevier, South Carolina, as part of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. The battalion has served with distinction in major conflicts, including World War II—where it participated in campaigns across the European Theater—and the Vietnam War, performing a variety of combat engineer missions. Over the years, HHC 20th Engineer Battalion has supported operations such as Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing vital mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability support to maneuver forces. Today, the unit continues its proud tradition of service at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, as part of the U.S. Army's engineer regiment.

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ABOUT HHC 20th Engineer Battalion

  • World War I Origins: The 20th Engineer Battalion traces its lineage to World War I, originally constituted in 1917 as the 20th Engineer Regiment, making it one of the oldest engineer units in the U.S. Army.
  • Largest Regiment in World War I: At its peak during World War I, the 20th Engineers became the largest regiment in the U.S. Army, with over 29,000 soldiers assigned, and was primarily responsible for forestry and lumber operations in France.
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC): HHC serves as the command and administrative element of the 20th Engineer Battalion, coordinating the efforts of its subordinate companies and supporting battalion-level operations.
  • World War II Service: The 20th Engineer Battalion participated in key campaigns during World War II, including the Normandy landings, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.
  • Vietnam War Contributions: The battalion, including its HHC, served in Vietnam, constructing bases, airfields, and roads, and supporting both combat and civil action projects throughout the conflict.
  • Decorations and Honors: The 20th Engineer Battalion has been awarded several unit citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the French Croix de Guerre.
  • Operation Desert Storm: The battalion, with its HHC element, deployed to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, providing crucial engineer support for coalition forces.
  • Global War on Terrorism: HHC 20th Engineer Battalion has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing route clearance, construction, and combat engineering.
  • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion's insignia features a red and white shield with a pine tree, symbolizing its World War I forestry mission, and a fleur-de-lis for its service in France.
  • Modern Missions: Today, HHC 20th Engineer Battalion continues to provide command and control, planning, and logistical support, enabling the battalion to conduct mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability operations for the U.S. Army.

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