MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATION HISTORY - 2017 …marcorengasn.org/marine_docs/History2017.pdf · · 2017-06-03MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATION HISTORY -2017 Photo from National

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MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATION HISTORY - 2017

Photo from National Archives

MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATIONHISTORY - 2017

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WORLD WAR ONE BY PHIL MARTIN, MSGT(RET) GATE GUARDIAN FOR MARINE CORPS ENGINEER SCHOOL RETURN OF THE TD 18 BY ROBIN GENTRY, COL(RET) MARINE CORPS ENGINEERS IN VIETNAM BY PHIL MARTIN, MSGT(RET) AND ROBIN GENTRY, COL(RET)

SSGT RECKLESS: KOREAN WAR HERO EXCERPT FROM NANCY LEE WHITE HOFFMAN’S 1992 LEATHERNECK ARTICLE FIRST COMBAT ENGINEERS COMMAND CHRONOLOGY SECOND COMBAT ENGINEERS COMMAND CHRONOLOGY THIRD COMBAT ENGINEERS COMMAND CHRONOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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WORLD WAR ONE BY PHIL MARTIN, MSGT(RET)

THE BEGINNINGS

It is believed that early man discovered fire, when lightning hit a bog full of moss. This prehistoric man kept the fire going by piling up the moss for cooking and warmth. As man evolved, he invented hunting tools to kill animals, such as the Woolly Mammoth and other fur bearing animals for their skins to make clothes and their meat for food. Roving bands of people attempted to barter for the things they needed or sometimes took the materials they wanted by harming or killing the opposing party. Eventually, mankind learned to cultivate crops allowing him to settle in farms to provide food for his family. With these beginnings of civilization, leaders and councils were picked to organize communities and make decisions for the betterment of the citizenry. The leaders formed governments and declared certain regions for themselves; forming kingdoms, granting councils the ability to make laws, and enforce regulations. The course of man’s history is filled with conflict and war. One of these wars was large enough to be called World War One and subsequently was called the War to end all Wars. The causes of World War I are complex, but generally historians say there were three reasons for the start of World War I: Imperialism, Militarism, and Nationalism.

Imperialism -

Imperialism began when many European countries had laid claim to large tracts of land in Africa and Asia. These lands were important for their raw materials and manufactured goods for European markets. These colonies provided markets for goods from the mother country. The value and expansion of European Colonies was often a cause of war between the imperial powers. The Boer War, is a prime example, with England fighting the Dutch over a piece of border in South Africa. Other wars broke out during this time between Germany against Britain, and France in North Africa. The Ottoman Empire during this

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time was crumbling in the Middle East, and Austria and Hungary were in conflict in the Balkans with Russia.

Nationalism –

The Congress of Vienna Settlement of 1815 ignored the principle of Nationalism in favor of preserving peace. The divided states of Italy and Germany remained, until strong nationalist movements and revolutions led to the unification of Italy in 1861 and the unification of Germany in 1871. Later the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, left France seething over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, seeking revenge for Germany's action. The Balkans were a melting pot of many conflicting groups, such as Austria - Balkans, Pan Slavism (pro Slavic) of Serbia, and Russia's willingness to support its Slavic brother who lived in conflict with Austria–Hungary's Pan Gemanism (Pro German). Russia, during this time formed an Entente with Britain in 1907. This was after they had reached an agreement with Britain's ally, Japan. William II had further alienated Russia by supporting Austria’s ambitions in the Balkans. The Triple Entente (agreement) was an informal coalition between Great Britain, France, and Russia. They were now strong enough to counter the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy, and Austria - Hungary. International tension was greatly increased by the division of Europe into two armed camps. The friction of an armed and divided Europe escalated into several crises in Morocco and the Balkans, which nearly ended in war. Another conflict resulted with the Austria-Hungarian annexation of the former Turkish province of Bosnia in 1908. One of the objectives of the Serbian movement was the acquisition of Slavic Bosnia, so Serbia threatened war against Austria-Hungary. Russia had signed an alliance with Serbia, so the Russian Army mobilized, which caused Germany who was allied with Austria-Hungary, to threaten war on Russia. The beginning of a World War, was narrowly avoided when Russia backed down, but relations with Austria-Hungary were severely strained.

Militarism-

With the signs of a coming war, the great powers of Germany, Britain, and Russia began stock-piling military supplies to build up their armies and navies. The French prior to WW One had the greatest population, but by the time war broke out French manpower had gone from 1st to 4th place. The French were slow to build up as the French believed in quality before quantity. Additionally, the French government found that most workers were employed in factories of less than one hundred men and usually they liked to

work in with ten workers or less. As a result, the French found they were woefully unprepared to face their enemies when the war did start.

Germany was one of the most industrialized nations in the world and did not have a problem producing weapons and ammunition in preparation for war. Additionally, Germany was one of the first nations to see the benefit of the submarine. The biggest problem with submarine warfare was that both the Germans and the English believed it

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was an underhanded means of warfare. Both countries believed war should be fought face to face in a civil manner.

During the time from 1872 to 1905, alliances were being made and broken. Two of these alliances were a part of the motivation for World War I. Bismarck of Germany formed the Three Emperor’s League in order to isolate France. This Alliance was made up between Germany, Russia and Austria-Hungary in 1872. When Tunisia was occupied by the French, Bismarck took advantage of the resentment of the Italians toward the French and created the Triple Alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary in 1882. This agreement was made in exchange for Italy’s agreement to stay neutral if war broke out between Austria-Hungary and Russia. Germany and Austria-Hungary would protect Italy from France. This agreement called the Bismarckian Alliance. As a result of the collapse of this agreement. Russia and England made an Entente in 1907.

Tensions between Serbia and the Balkan States increased and drove the Turks back to Constantinople after the Bosnian Crisis of 1908 in Africa, a second Crisis in Morocco in 1911, and the Balkan Wars of 1912-13 broke out. Europe by 1914, had reached its breaking point and every nation was postured for war and awaiting the spark that would ignite the conflict.

THE WAR

The war is said to have begun when the heir to the Austrian Empire, Franz Ferdinand and his wife went to tour Sarajevo, the Capital of Bosnia. Franz Ferdinand had been warned that his visit could provoke trouble, but he ignored the warning and visited Sarajevo anyway. At the very start of his tour, a car in his entourage was hit by a hand grenade and an Austrian officer was injured. Sarajevo proved to be a dangerous place for the Austrian nobleman. Ferdinand wanted to show that his family was in control of Sarajevo, so he continued his tour to quell any perception of weakness. As luck would have it, Franz had ordered the driver to take him to the hospital so he could visit the injured officer. The driver, not understanding the instructions got lost and stopped to ask for directions. Unfortunately, he stopped right by a man called Gavrilo Princip who was a member of the Black Hand Gang. He was also the individual who threw the grenade that wounded the officer. Princip could not believe his luck and quickly drew his weapon and shot the Duke and his wife on June 28, 1914.

This incident was the leading cause into the First World War. Serbia was blamed by Austria which decided to punish Serbia. Austria could have easily crushed Serbia but was afraid the Russians would help Serbia, so the Austrians asked the Germans to help. The Germans agreed to this and their response aggravated the French government. When France called up her Army, Germany had no choice but to carry out the Schlieffen Plan. (The Schlieffen Plan was created by a senior German Army officer who believed that the German Army was superior to any Army in Europe, but believed that they could not fight a

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war on two fronts, France and Russia). This plan involved an attack on France by going through Belgium. Britain had given Belgium a guarantee in 1839, that if anyone attacked her, Britain would confront the attacker.

Five of the six countries within weeks of the murders at Sarajevo, and had signed treaties stood at the brink of war. On August 4th 1914, Germany invaded Belgium Britain declared war on Germany. France and Russia supported Britain and Austria supported Germany. Only Italy did not join this initial rush to war. Every country concerned was convinced that the war would last only from August to Christmas 1914, and no one envisioned the horrors of trench warfare.

TRENCH WARFARE

After the initial movements of war and neither combatant gaining the needed advantage trenches were dug to allow for cover and concealment. The trenches were close together in most areas and both sides situated machine guns and heavy artillery to cover every inch of ground. When the whistle blew and troops went “Over the Top” to attack each other and into “No Man’s Land” there was little doubt about the casualties being extremely heavy. Attacks were usually driven back to their starting trenches, but when one side succeeded the other

fell back to a new trench line and occupied them until they were able to regain the trenches they lost. Regaining a trench usually meant a huge loss in human life for both sides. During one battle, Cpl. Adolph Hitler was a runner. He and a fellow runner had to carry a message to one of their officers in the forward trench. Their location was fired at and Hitler and his fellow runner pushed the officer into the trench and covered the officer with their bodies to save him from direct machine gun fire. Cpl. Hitler was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class for his heroic action and subsequently was also award the Iron Cross First Class before the war ended.

AMERICA ENTERS THE WAR

America’s opinion on the war galvanized when on May 7, 1916 the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner was sunk by a German U-Boat enroute from New York to Great Britain with 1257 passengers and 702 Crew. The crew and passengers had been warned about U-Boat (submarine) activity in the North Sea, but chose to make the crossing from New York to London anyway. At approximately 14:20 hours on that fateful day, a young lad keeping watch for U Boats saw a torpedo heading for the

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Lusitania. The U-20 German submarine had been on the surface when her Captain saw the Lusitania. He positioned himself, dived, and fired his last torpedo at the Lusitania sinking her and killing most of the crew and passengers. This historical event proved to be the justification the United States needed to get involved in the fighting in Europe.

U.S. MARINES

In 1914 and 1915, the Marine Commandant, Major General George Barnett had the foresight to send Marine Officers to France to observe the fighting. Their reports on the use of aviation, trucks, machine guns, heavy artillery and the techniques of trench warfare spurred Headquarters Marine Corps to begin preparations for their future deployment to Europe. In 1916, the Marine Corps had four expeditionary regiments in the Caribbean, and the Naval Appropriations Act of 1916 expanded the Marine Corps’ authorized strength to 17,400 enlisted with appropriate officers.

U.S. Marines left the states on 14 June 1917, and the United States entered the war on April 6, 1917. The first Marine contingent, elements of the 5th Marine Regiment, arrived at the French seaport of Saint Nazaire. Upon their arrival, the U.S. Marines were put under the famed Army General “Black Jack” Pershing’s command, and were integrated with Army troops and used for menial jobs. Their first duty was to secure supplies, train, and get organized before the 6th Marine Regiment joined them, forming the 4th Marine Brigade. Pershing did everything possible to stifle Marine participation in the war, but political influence at HQMC prevailed getting Marines, “Over There.” General Pershing had an aversion to Marines always getting the credit for winning the battles while his Army was all but forgotten. The major difference between the Army and Marines was the fact that Marines placed emphasis on rifle and pistol training. The Marines had to learn to field strip their rifles, pistols and machine guns blindfolded and spent a lot of time on the firing range. Their basic weapon was the Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifle.

In March 1918, the Marines arrived at the Western Front at a place called Toulon, just south of Verdun on the Meuse River. The first causality was the 5th Marine Band’s bass drum. It was punctured by a shell, and fortunately the drummer was uninjured. The Marines settled into the trench warfare routine getting use to the mud, gas alarms, rats, and the regular rain of enemy shells. By the time the Marines had been pulled out, they had suffered 872 causalities in 53 days. The French and British command soon began to realize that these newcomers were full of fight and fast learners, as compared to the war worn and often cynical French and British troops. In late May, the German commander Ludendorff unleashed an attack on three major fronts; one near Neuve Chappelle in the North, one near Amiens in the center, and the other at the Marne to the South. The last thrust to the south was a threat to Paris itself, so the French government prepared to flee. The crisis was severe enough that Pershing offered an American Division to help stop the German advance. The French Commander,

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General Foch, insisted on putting Marines in with his French units. The most battle ready of the American units, the 4th Marine Brigade was ordered into the sector of greatest threat, at Belleau Wood.

As the 5th Marines marched to Belleau Wood on 5 June, they met civilians leaving the front with whatever belongings they could carry. Soon they encountered badly mauled French soldiers heading for the rear. One Captain, Lloyd W. Williams, when advised by a French officer to join the retreat replied with this comment: “Retreat hell! We just got here!” The Marines kept marching toward the sound of rifle fire, formed a battle line, and began firing on the enemy at a range of 800

yards, which surprised the Germans because they felt anything over 200 yards was ineffective. This was where the extra rifle training proved effective. The Germans felt they were facing machine gun firing. On the first day of attack against the Germans (on 6 June), the Marines lost a total of 1,497 men in the first offensive actions. The Marines had felt confident they were going to take the woods with minimal loss, but they learned the hard way that fighting the experienced Germans was not to be an easy task. Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daley led a charge with the immortal words “Come on you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?” Marine battalions from the 5th and 6th Regiments became engaged in fierce close combat. Hand to hand fighting with the dug in Germans began slowly driving them from the woods.

On 13 June, the German Army counter-attacked and advanced steadily behind a storm of shells and gas. The Germans steadily advanced against Marine fire until the village of Bouresches, within the woods, was about abandoned. The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines commanded by Major John “The Hard” A. Hughes, was not inclined to give up the town. They held on taking 450 casualties, until the Germans gave up. On 15 June, an Army unit relieved the 5th Marines, who returned to action on 22 June and once again engaged the enemy. After a failed American assault on the evening of the 23rd, the following day saw an artillery barrage that softened up the enemy. The 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, then charged into the last German holdouts and emerged from the other side of the woods. The commander of the unit, Major Maurice Shearer, telegraphed AEF headquarters, “Woods U. S. Marines entirely.” The Marines now being referred to as “Devil Dogs” by the Germans also coined a new word “fox hole.” Finally, the Germans had been driven from Belleau Wood, which has been known ever since as the “Woods of the Marine Brigade.”

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The Marines continued to show their value on the field of battle as they continued to serve with pride and dignity. General John A Lejeune, future Commandant of the Corps, took command of the 2nd Division. It was the first time in history that a Marine was to command an Army Division. On 18 July came the Battle of Soissons. The battle was primed by the customary artillery barrage. The Marines pressed out, sweeping over open ground against German entrenchments, gaining two miles by noon and another three by evening. The losses were heavy as the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines lost over 50 percent of its strength in 30 minutes. The next day the Germans counter-attacked, but the Marines were still able to press their attack and gained almost two more miles. By then the Regiment had lost over 50 percent of its strength… so they dug in. At this point they were overlooking the Soissons-Chateau Thierry road a major German supply route. They had taken 1,972 casualties in the fighting, but the enemy section had been cut off to the Germans.

General Foch’s plan was to also have the Allied offensive take the Meuse–Argonne region. The invasion was called the St. Mihiel operation, and was focused against a German Salient to the Southeast, which had existed since 1914, along the Meuse River. General Pershing had his eye on that salient for some time, seeing it would be a good training ground for the American forces. The attack was led by two Army Corps, with the 4th Marine Brigade in reserve. The allied forces pushed the Germans back, capturing 3,300 German prisoners, a number of these prisoners were rounded up by a German born Marine, who brought forty prisoners in with him and explained that the Germans were willing to listen to reason. The last part of the offensive, the American 2nd Division, under General Lejeune, joined Foch’s Frenchmen in the operation, resulting in what was some of the hardest fighting of the war. The Marines were ordered to reduce the fortifications on the cliff side of the Hindenburg Line. After three hours of heavy fighting, the Marines took the hill with two Marines receiving the Medal of Honor for their actions. Private John Kelly single handily charged a machine gun emplacement, killed two, and brought back eight prisoners, all done in the middle of an American artillery attack. Corporal John H. Pruitt accounted for two enemy machine guns and forty prisoners before he was killed.

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Additionally, Sgt Louis Cukela, Sgt Matej Kocak, 2nd Lt Ralph Talbot (Pilot), Gunnery Sgt Robert G. Robinson (an airplane machine gunner), Gunnery Sgt Fred W. Stockham and Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Jansen were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the war. The French Fourragère was awarded to the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and is worn on the left shoulder of their uniform to this day.

The First World War ended November 11,1918 at 11 am.

THE CHANGES AFTER THE WORLD WAR ONE

RUSSIA

In the last year of World War One, Russians were boiling over with hatred and discontent with their government. There were two revolutions: The first was the February Revolution and the second was the October Revolution. The February Revolution began in St Petersburg (Petrograd) as industrial workers went on strike. The Duma (Russian legislative assembly) was ready to accuse the government of high treason. But the Tzar, Nicholas II refused to yield to the liberals and his fate was sealed, and he abdicated on the 15th of March in 1917. The provisional government which replaced the Tzar, grew out of the Executive Committee of the Duma. The general aim of this government was to establish a political revolution, not a social revolution, although social reform was necessary. On March 22, 1917, Nicholas II was arrested at army headquarters and imprisoned at Czarskoye Selo (a famous royal palace in the Russian countryside). He and his family were killed at Ekaterinenburg in the Urals in July 1918. As a result of these actions, Lenin returned to Russia to lead the Bolsheviks.

THE CHANGES AFTER WORLD WAR ONE

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The second revolution occurred the same year, during the months of October and November and subsequently was called the October Revolution placing the Communist Bolsheviks in power. The Bolsheviks bullied their way into power and used force to gain authority after the Dumas’ had lost the respect of the people. Crime was running ramped during this time and it gave the Bolsheviks a window of opportunity to rise up in authority. Additionally, the Bolsheviks killed thousands of Russian people in order to purge what they considered “undesirables”, and prevent them from banding together to overthrow the Bolsheviks and turn the tide on the revolutionary gains.

GERMANY

In Germany, after the removal of the Kaiser, different organizations fought for control of the government to include the communists. Soldiers coming home from the war blamed the Jews and the wealthy shopkeepers for Germany’s loss. One of the soldiers was a young Corporal named Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler was a decorated war veteran having received the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class for acts of bravery during the war. Upon meeting Hitler, most of the Republic’s citizenry were concerned he was a strange sort of individual. Hitler’s skill as an orator won the hearts and minds of many former soldiers, officers and civilians. His supporters began clearing the path for his rise to power by acts of force and political maneuvering. At one point Hitler even asked his former enemies to help support him in order to keep the Bolsheviks from spreading communism to Germany. The Weimer government was the unofficial name of the German government until it was replaced by Adolf Hitler in 1933.

The Treaty of Versailles with the allied powers of France and England placed strict controls on Germany in an attempt to prevent any military buildup. The treaty limited the military and economic power of Germany, and allowed the breakup of other nations in the Ukraine and Russia. The Treaty forbid Germany, who was instrumental in the development of airplanes and submarines as weapons, from having them after the war. Another new weapon developed by England was the tank. These tanks were heavy and awkward, but when they worked properly terrified troops. As a result of the limitations of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany refined tank designs in order to overcome

problems with it getting stuck in the long trenches and slogged down in mud. The mobility provided by tank development contributed greatly to Germany’s Blitzkrieg style of war in WWII.

The Allies, including France, England, and the United States kept a presence in the region to keep Germany from re-arming. They oversaw the rebuilding of buildings, roads and


manufacturing in order to keep war from breaking out in the region again. This was necessary in governing the actions of the Central Powers.

In the early days of 1923, a breakdown between France and England at the Reparations Commission led to the withdrawal of France and its delegation. The French were afraid of the different groups holding power in Germany and decided to act on it. On January 11th, French and Belgian forces marched into the Ruhr on the pretext that Germany had failed to meet her obligations. This act inflamed the nationalist spirit throughout Germany, but quickened the descent of the German Mark, which plunged from 6750 to the dollar to 50,000 within two weeks. These actions helped to broaden Hitler’s NSDAP Group (the National Socialist German Workers’ Party) into power.

Adolf Hitler had a dream to take control of the government, ban the Jews, and redistribute the wealth to soldiers and pensioners, so the heroes of Germany could live in reasonable comfort. Hitler continued to blame the Jews, shopkeepers, and the communists for Germany’s loss during the war. On 8 November 1923, Hitler moved forward with his supporters to take control of Germany. By the 9th of Nov, it was clear that the “Beer Hall Putsch” had failed. The roundup of the coup members started immediately and Hitler went to prison. But, this would not be the last time the world would hear from Adolf Hitler.

World War I changed the way war was waged with the development of airplanes, tanks, and submarines. Additionally, the war changed the political landscape of Europe with both Russia and Germany suffering through two revolutions. Lastly, many of the Slavic States were divided and some parts were placed under Russian control. The Japanese gained little and finished the war still feeling unhappy about their international position.

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GATE GUARDIAN FOR MARINE CORPS ENGINEER SCHOOL RETURN OF THE TD-18

By ROBIN GENTRY, COL(RET)

As a company, International Harvester (IH) traces its roots to Cyrus McCormick of Virginia and his patent for a horse drawn reaping machine of 1834. In 1902, through the merger of several agriculture equipment producers the International Harvester Company was born in Illinois. By the end of World War II International Harvester was the 33rd largest producing corporation in the country. During the war the company produced trucks for the Navy and Marine Corps, M1 Rifle, and crawler tractors.

When the TD-18 was added to the International Crawler tractor line in 1938, it was the company’s largest tractor and remained so until 1947, when IH produced the larger TD-24. During its production, the tractor was updated to the TD-18 A, then to the TD-18 181, and finally the TD-18 182. When the TD-18 production line ended in Melrose Park Ill over 22,000 dozers had been built. The original TD-18 model was produced from 1938 to 1949 and introduced a rounded nose cowling for the engine compartment and developed 80 belt and 72 drawbar hp. In 1949, International Harvester introduced the TD-18A in order to keep pace with its commercial competitor Allis-Chalmers and Caterpillar. The TD-18 A produced a 98 belt, 86 drawbar horsepower tractor. But by this time, the “Dozer War” had begun with ever increasing demand for more powerful earth working equipment. By Mid-1955 International Harvester again upgrade its tractor from the TD-18 A to the TD-18 Series 181, which raised the power rating to 122 belt hp and 100 drawbar hp. The 181 series was again upgraded in 1956 to the TD-18 Series 182 which provided 122 belt, 100 drawbar hp. This remained competitive with the D7C Caterpillar Tractor of this era which provided 122 belt and 104 drawbar hp, but was smaller than the Allis-Chalmers HD-16. In 1958, the long production of TD-18s ended and International Harvester replaced it with the TD-20, Series 200.

During World War II there were four bulldozer manufacturers in the United States: Allis-Chalmers, Caterpillar, Cletrac, and International Harvester. They all developed and manufactured equipment for the military. Of these only Caterpillar remains. International Harvester eventually sold off its crawler tractor line to Dresser Industries in the late 1980s and ultimately merged with Navistar to become Navistar International.


The TD18-182 was the “Gate Guardian” at the Engineer School for almost 20 years. Its scarlet and gold Old English script lettering painted on the blade made it an icon as you entered Courthouse Bay. It welcomed students and families to the Engineer School at Camp Lejeune NC and represented the great engineering dozers in Marine Corps history.

The TD-18 was handed over to the Marine Corp Historical Foundation (MCHF) in 2000 and left Courthouse Bay, because it had become too expensive to maintain. The MCHF probably wouldn’t be able to get to the restoration until 2020, so in 2002 the process was started to return the dozer to BB28 (MCES Headquarters Building) at the Engineer School. This was no small effort and took years of work to finally get approval, to conduct a restoration and return the dozer to the Engineer School. The Marine Corps Installation Command gained approval to restore the dozer in 2014. The TD-18 was transported to 2nd Maintenance Battalion where a thorough technical inspection was completed and restoration has been underway. The restoration was led by the skilled technicians at 2nd Maintenance Battalion, and we are now able to announce, after almost 17 years of effort and thousands of man hours of labor, the TD-18 was returned to Courthouse Bay. The Marine Corps Engineer School plans to have a ribbon cutting ceremony during the annual St Patrick's Day Field Meet in March.

MARINE CORPS ENGINEERS IN VIETNAM

BY PHIL MARTIN, MSGT(RET) AND ROBIN GENTRY, COL(RET)

While the Beatles flooded radio airwaves in 1965, the Beach Boys were belting out tunes to young Americans who were literally “Twisting the Night Away,” as young men were receiving their draft notices to fill the military ranks. These men were getting ready to go to battle against insurgents in Southeast Asia, and to a place many had never heard of. Vietnam had been in the news for several years, but many young men did not pay attention to what was being said until they were notified they were being drafted. The Marine Corps has always recruited men that have a “We Can Do It” attitude and engineers epitomized that. Engineers worked hard to build roads, helicopter landing pads, schools, and bases to house the Marine influx into country during the Vietnam conflict. Marine Corps Engineers first arrived in Vietnam in April 1965, when C Company, 7th Engineer Battalion was sent to Da Nang to support a Light Anti-aircraft Defense Missile Battery, then began in mass with the landing of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. The austere infrastructure of Vietnam made the war truly an “Engineer War,” as no unit could perform its basic mission without engineer support.

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� Division Engineer Battalions included approximately 850 Marines and provided demolition support and road clearing operations often with handheld mine detectors and “pioneer trails” to support the infantry’s mobility.

� Force Troops Engineer Battalions also had about 850 in strength, but with much more equipment. They improved roads and built fire bases, generally improving the conditions of the Marines in country.

� Wing Engineers (Marine Air Base Squadrons or Marine Wing Support Group) (about 350 Marine Engineers) built or improved the conditions at airfields, so much needed air support could be provided to troops engaged in combat.

The difference in the deployment of Engineers in Vietnam over modern days is that the units stayed in country while Marines deployed in, to fill 13 month tours of duty. At the height of Marine combat in Vietnam, there were five Marine Engineer Battalions in country during 1966-1969 as follows: MARINE DIVISION ENGINEER BATTALIONS

1st Engineer Battalion deployed from Camp Hanson, Okinawa to Chu Lai in January of 1966 until Jan 1971, where the unit participated in operations in and around Chu Lai and Da Nang. The battalion received Vietnam Service Streamers for 1966-1967 and 1967-1968. Providing a variety of close combat engineer support throughout I Corps, the battalion also took part in the battle for Hue City.


The nature of the Engineer’s mission is to “build to improve the conditions of the people around them.” One such Marine Engineer in 1st Engineer Battalion who gave the last full measure was Private First Class Jimmy W. Phipps. On 27 May 1969, PFC Phipps was a member of a two-man Engineer Demolition Team assigned to locate and destroy enemy artillery ordnance and concealed firing devices. After he expended all of his explosives and blasting caps, PFC Phipps discovered a 175mm high explosive artillery round in a rice paddy. As he was attaching a hand grenade to a stake beside the artillery round, the fuse of the enemy's secondary explosive device ignited. Realizing that his assistant and the platoon commander were both within a few meters of him and that the imminent explosion could kill all three men, PFC Phipps grasped the grenade to his chest and dove forward to cover the enemy artillery round with his body, shielding his companions

from

the

detonation

while

absorbing the full and tremendous impact with his own

body.

For

his

gallantry

and selfless sacrifice, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

The 3rd Engineer Battalion deployed June 1965 until October 1969; operating from Da Nang, Dong Ha, Gia Le, Quang Tri, Cua Viet, Camp Carroll, Cam Lo, and Vandegrift Combat Base. 3rd Engineer Battalion provided direct support to the 3rd Marine Division by building “pioneer roads,” conducting route clearing, as well as minor construction. The Battalion also was given the mission of developing a school to train

infantrymen in demolition and mine warfare, soon nicknamed The Punji Palace. In less than a year, from the opening of the school in September 1965, an estimated 5,000 Marines received instruction in the nature, operation, and avoidance of the enemy’s numerous, ingenious booby traps.

Demining Operations Demolitions Training

The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well. – Sir William Osler


FORCE TROOP ENGINEER BATTALIONS

The 7th Engineer Battalion deployed from August 1965 to August 1970, operating from Da Nang. The battalion augmented Division Engineers and found its companies often attached to 3rd Engineers to help clear roads and to Navy Mobile Construction Battalions to help build helicopter pads. One of 7th Engineer’s unique achievements was the construction of a 1,478ft floating bridge across the Da Nang River in 1966.

The 9th Engineer Battalion served in Vietnam May 1966 until August 1970. The Battalion was located in and around Chu Lai, with Company A detached to support operations in the vicinity of Da Nang. While supporting combat operations in Vietnam, 9th Engineer Battalion was in direct support of the 1st Marine Division. The Battalion’s missions included; the repair, maintenance, and reconstruction of highway,

construction of bridges, demolitions, mine and booby-trap clearance, constructing and operating cable linked ferries, as well as general engineering to construct and improve bases. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton until being deactivated on 30 October 1970.

The story of the 11th Engineer Battalion is unique to this period of Marine Engineer history. The Battalion’s colors were unfurled 1 June 1966 as the battalion was activated as part of the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton as the

Vietnam War buildup began. The Battalion's advance party departed El Toro by government air and arrived in Da Nang 8 November 1966. The unit’s equipment began to arrive by ships on 28 November and the off-loading of equipment was completed by 5 December. The 11th’s command post was established at Dong Ha Combat Base on 1 December. In April 11 1967, the Battalion began operation on the Gio Linh to Con Thien “fire break“ which consisted of removing all vegetation and clearing a

Bridging Operations Rafting Operations


strip 200 meters wide on each side of the road and 10,560 meters long. Other projects of the engineers were digging wells, operating water points, building access and interior roads, bunkers, and other defenses, as well as ammunition supply points for the 3rd Marine Division. By the end of the Battalion’s first year of operations, nearly 300 Marines received Purple Hearts. Individual bravery was no stranger as the first year also brought the award of two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, and three Navy Commendation Medals. In April, the 11th Engineer Battalion was committed to the important mission of opening Route # 9 from Cau Lu to Khe Sanh in Operation Pegasus, which extracted Marines from Khe Sanh. The connecting link from Highway 9 to Con Thien, known as Route 561, was transformed from virtually a trail to a two lane, all-weather highway by their efforts. One unique project of this battalion was the construction of an asphalt plant The plant had a production rate of 30 truckloads of asphalt a day for paving roads, helipads, and parking areas. The Battalion continued in general support of the 3rd Marine Division for Operations Kentucky, Lancaster, Dawson River, Napoleon Saline I & II, Marshall Mountain and more. The Battalion left in August 1970 with 50 Marines having paid the ultimate sacrifice. MARINE AIR WING (MAW) ENGINEERS There were various small elements within each Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) which provided engineer support.


A Marine Air Base Squadron (MABS) contained both a utilities unit and an engineer equipment unit in the motor transport section. The utilities platoon contained construction, electrical, laundry, plumbing, water supply and refrigerator sections. The engineer equipment unit consisted of equipment operators, mechanics, and electricians. The unit was capable of limited construction and maintenance support (roads, clearing, grading, bulk fuel, installation of drainage and other engineer

tasks). Seventeen MABS served during the conflict of Vietnam from 1965 through 1971 on airbases like Chu Lai, Da Nang, and many more. Marine Wing Support Group-17 deployed from Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan to the Republic of Vietnam in September 1966. MWSG-17 actively participated in the Vietnam War from September 1966 until August 1970, operating from Da Nang, earning a Presidential Unit Citation, as well as a Meritorious Unit Citation. In the summer of 1970, MWSG-17 returned to Iwakuni. LESSONS LEARNED FROM VIETNAM Training: All Marine Engineers are trained as infantrymen first and engineers second, enabling the Marine to focus all his energy on supporting the war-fighting mission. It is

interesting to note during World War II, the German Engineers were also trained as infantry first. The Marines did not forget their lessons from the past and with the lessons learned from Vietnam on booby traps and mines. The following decades demonstrated improved training for Combat Engineers in how to make, plot, and breach mine fields, construct field defenses, emplace demolitions, and conduct engineer reconnaissance. Additionally, the Marine Corps found that its

engineers needed more training at all levels, and each engineer, officer or enlisted, receive advanced training from formal schools, distance education, and on the job training from senior Marines, often receiving training from manufacturing representatives. As an example, the Officer Engineer Basic Course increased from eight weeks in 1974 to its current 13 weeks of comprehensive combat engineer training. Equipping: The Marine Corps’ Engineer in Vietnam essentially used tools and old Pioneer Equipment that had been unchanged since WWII. Even some of the engineer leader terms were a throwback to earlier years, with the use of the term Construction Foreman instead of Sgt, Gunny, or Platoon Leader. The equipment used by the engineers in Vietnam was civilian in nature and vulnerable in combat situations. The older bulldozers were slow and cumbersome and the noisiest piece of equipment on the construction site. A lot of the engineer equipment had to be modified for protection from hazards, such as mines. Today’s equipment has been battlefield protected with communications, armor and enhancements such as laser levelers. The Marine Corps Engineers rely heavily on Army Equipment and

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doctrine in the past and still do to some extent, but the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) is essential in the development and improvement of the Engineer capability working hand in glove with Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) to ensure engineer equipment is on the cutting edge of technology and poised to support the missions of today and tomorrow. Organizing: One of the legacies created in Vietnam that Marine Engineers proudly note is that they are the only Marine occupational field with “combat” in their job title. The Division Engineer Battalions are now known as Combat Engineer Battalions (CEBs) while the old Force Troop Engineers are titled Engineer Support Battalions (ESBs). Many believe the engineers started as combat units, but, in reality, engineers were service organizations. Vietnam stripped away much of the original mission of seizing naval bases and fixing or building essential wharfs, buildings and essential infrastructure, water purification systems, sewage, laundry, ice, and administration. It forever placed the Marine Engineer’s roles of mobility, counter mobility, and survivability in the forefront. As the Marine Corps goes boldly into ensuring it is the force of choice and “ready when all the others are not.” Marine Combat Engineers will be there alongside the Infantry, “running to

the sound of the guns,” just as they did in Vietnam!

NEW TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING SINCE VIETNAM Utilities - New water purification systems are now in use along with new water distillation equipment. Shower units utilizing hot water are now being used instead of 55 gallon containers and 500 gallon fuel and water tanks. New laundry equipment has been purchased and better tracking of garments have been implemented. New and simpler electrical power distribution equipment has been put in use by the Marine Corps. . Engineering Equipment - New bulldozers and cranes have been added to the Marine Corps inventory. A great example of a long sought after mobility asset was the Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV). Built on the chassis of a M1A1 Abrahams Tank, the tracked ABV is equipped with a mine-clearing plow, a .50 cal machine gun, and a device that fires a rocket-propelled line of C4 explosives up to 150 yards. ABV‘s ensure Marines can get to the battlefield by clearing a path through a minefield. On December 3, 2009, the Marine Corps' newest vehicle detonated its first path-clearing line charge in Afghanistan. This happy occasion would mark the Assault Breacher Vehicle's (ABV) first combat action and introduce a new method for combating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Assorted armored vehicles provided greater safety on the field of battle. Prefabricated K-SPAN metal buildings are erected for strength and durability. These buildings are prefabricated on site with the use of the MIC120 ABM (K SPAN) Automatic Building Machine. The other type of Automatic Building Machine is the MIC - 240 ABM (super span). BRIDGING- There are two types of bridging, the Wet Gap and the Dry Gap. Some of the different types of floating bridges are; the Ribbon Bridge, Mobile Assault Bridge, Medium Girder Bridge, Long Span Bridge, Leopard 2 Armored Launched Bridge, and the M3G bridge only takes 8 men to deploy. BULK FUEL – One of the newest components to the bulk Fuel components is the PQAS-E (Petroleum Quality Assurance System - Model E) This is a mobile petroleum lab used to


check the quality of the different fuels in a combat zone. This system is fully self-contained with different testing and quality assurance equipment. This is a unit that has to be buttoned up by storing all components, turning off all electrical devices, storing stairs and shutting off all electrical devices in and on the unit. Once this is done the unit can be closed up to form a cube shape and is then transportable. There are two main types of fuel dispensing systems; the AAFS (Amphibious Assault Fuel System) and the TAFDS (Tactical Fuel Dispensing System). The mission of the AAFS is to receive store transfer and dispense fuel to all elements of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) including distribution to Forward Operating Bases (FOB). Versatility is an important part of the AAFS. It can be deployed as a whole or tailored to meet mission requirements by the combination of any of its various assemblies. The AAFS is capable of receiving, storing, transferring and dispensing fuel. The AAFS can receive fuel from offshore vessels, railcars, tank trucks or virtually any source. For planning purposes, the AAFS has a maximum storage capacity of 1.12 million gallons. TAFDS can receive fuel directly from AAFS or from other ground sources at a rate of 600 gallons per minute (GPM). TAFDS can simultaneously refuel up to 12 aircraft at a time. The total capacity for a TAFDS unit is 320,000 gallons of fuel. The fuel firefighting assembly consists of 30 pound fire extinguishers and twin agent units for providing first response and fire suppression in support of the TAFDS. The Hose Reel System (HRS) for the Tactical Fuel System (TFS) are integral to operational support. The mission of the Hose Reel System is to provide storage, transport, powered or manual deployment, and powered retrieval of the light-weight 6 inch hose. There are 11 reels to a system. The hose can be deployed at an average of 2 miles per hour and retrieved at 0.5 miles per hour. The HRS can operate on a 20 degree slope and is able to dispense fuel up to 5 miles.

ENGINEERS UP! (Photo Credits: National Archives, Mac from HqCo 7th Engineers, IIINAF:Vietnam War/Marine Corps - Sgt. King) Sources for article: A Brief History of U.S. History by Ralph W. Donnelly. April 1968. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, USMC. Also FMFRP and MCEA Archives BULK FUEL SCHOOL

We shouldn’t give up on our pursuit of perfection, but we also shouldn’t wait till we’re perfect to teach what we know and believe is right. – Michael Josephson


SSGT RECKLESS: KOREAN WAR HERO

Excerpt from Nancy Lee White Hoffman’s

1992 Leatherneck Article

The Korean War brought to light an unlikely hero. Reckless was purchased from a local farmer by Lt. Pedersen for 250 dollars to carry 24 lb recoilless rifle shells from the ASP (Ammo Supply Point) to the firing site. Reckless, a beautiful mare, would become fast friends with the Marines in the compound. Reckless liked to eat some of her favorites were chocolate, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, beer, and Coca Cola. A special carrying saddle was sent to Lt Pedersen from his wife and was modified so Reckless could carry 6 to 8 shells at a time.

Lt Pedersen put Platoon Sgt Latham in charge of her training while Pvt Coleman was to care for Reckless. Latham taught her how to take cover from incoming enemy rounds. When she was tapped on the front leg she would know to get down. This proved to be valuable training. Reckless was also taught to get in a bunker when rounds were coming into camp. All Latham had to do was yell” incoming, incoming” and she would head for a bunker. Reckless primarily earned the respect and admiration from the Marines for two major actions. The first action was when Reckless went on Raid Charlie in February 1953. Fox Company engaged the enemy on a hill mass known as Detroit. The recoilless rifle company fired a lot of rounds at the enemy and had to keep moving their firing site. Reckless had to make twenty four trips up the hill with six rounds at a time from the Ammo Supply Point (ASP). Lt. Pedersen estimated she traveled over twenty miles and carried 3500 pounds. In the second action Reckless carried six and eight rounds at a time to the recoilless unit as the gun crew continued to move their Recoilless rifle after firing five rounds. The recoilless gun had such a lot of smoke from the back of it the enemy could pin point the location of the gun crew so the weapon had to be moved after 4 or 5 times it fired rounds. On this occasion the shortest distance from the ASP was 550 yards and the longest distance was 700 yards. Reckless continued to work with the gun crew with the gun crew men carrying three rounds each. By mid-morning Reckless was making two trips to their one. Soon she was making the trips by herself from the ASP to the gun crew and back for another load. After her 21st trip Platoon Sgt Latham fed and watered her and rubbed her down while paying close attention to her legs and hooves. After she rested for a while a new load was put on her and she took off by herself for the firing line. She sometimes made the trip by herself and other times she made it with other Marines.


During one trip she received a shrapnel cut over her eye and Lt. Pedersen cleaned the wound and put iodine on it. Later on during the day she was cut on the left flank. Neither injury was sufficient to prevent her from making the trips. By the afternoon her load was lightened to six rounds, she was given some water and grain and her energy was restored by a chocolate candy bar from Latham. Reckless made 51 trips from the ASP to the gun sites, carrying 386 rounds. More than 9,000 pounds of explosives! Lt. Pedersen estimated that she had traveled more than 35 miles. SSgt Reckless decorations included two Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal,

Presidential Unit Citation with star, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, all of which she proudly wore on her scarlet and gold blanket. Reckless arrived in the United States on 10 Nov. 1954. She lived a good life at Camp

Pendleton, Calif. Until her death on May 13, 1968. On 26, Oct. 2016 several hundred people attended the ground breaking for the new statue of SSgt Reckless. The Historical Society at Camp Pendleton and Robin Hutton author of, Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse, “took the lead effort to build a monument at Camp Pendleton,” where she spent the last years of her life.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends him-self in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt


FIRST COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION

On 24 February 1941, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then known as 1st Engineer Battalion, the unit was activated with the formation of the Headquarters and Service Company. All companies of the battalion were activated by 15 December 1941, just eight days after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

In August 1942, the battalion landed on Guadalcanal with the 1st Marine Division. Facing severe shortages of engineer equipment, the battalion used captured Japanese bulldozers and trucks to help complete the airfield and the defenses along the Marine perimeter. Serving as infantry at night, the engineers were kept busy repairing damage from Japanese bomber attacks. The 1st Engineer Battalion fought in four other World War II campaigns: Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Typical of the role the engineers played was an attack that "C" Company participated in on New Britain in 1944. Facing a well-entrenched enemy in swampy terrain, the engineers spent a torturous day building a corduroy road under direct enemy fire. In late afternoon, tanks were brought forward to lead the attack, but were unable to negotiate a 12 foot stream bank directly in front of the Japanese positions. Called upon to breach the final obstacle, two engineers moved forward on an unarmored bulldozer. Both were quickly killed, but another young engineer leaped aboard and managed to clear the way. That evening, the attack succeeded.

Following World War II, the battalion served in China on occupation duty, and then relocated to Camp Pendleton in 1947. First Combat Engineer Battalion deployed to Korea in 1950 and participated in the brilliant landing at Inchon. During that conflict, the engineers participated in ten campaigns, but were best known for helping to lead the famous "breakout" at the Chosin Reservoir. On 1 May 1957, the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Pioneer Battalion. In


October 1962, elements of the battalion took part in the Cuban missile crisis. On 1 May 1963, the battalion was redesignated as 1st Engineer Battalion. The battalion sailed for Vietnam in 1965, remaining there until 1971. Providing a variety of close combat engineer support throughout I Corps, the battalion also took part in the battle for Hue City. On 31 March 1976, not long after its return to Camp Pendleton, the battalion was redesignated 1st Combat Engineer Battalion which more closely reflects its specific mission. On 17 August 1990, the battalion arrived in Saudi Arabia and began unloading MPF shipping and preparing defensive positions during Operation Desert Shield. Six months later, the engineers breached Iraqi minefields and obstacles as they attacked into Kuwait on 24 February 1991, in Operation Desert Storm. The liberation of Kuwait was secure on 28 February 1991 and the engineers prepared to return to the United States. First Combat Engineer Battalion returned to San Mateo on 1 April 1991 and continued to provide engineering support to the 1st Marine Division. From 29 December 1992 to 2 February 1993, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (-) (Fwd) deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. During this period the battalion participated in the relief and security effort in Somalia. Elements of 1st CEB fortified positions and improved defenses at the US Embassy, Mogadishu Airport, and Mogadishu Stadium. Accomplishments during Operation RESTORE HOPE included 27 mines detected and recovered, 4 bridges reconnoitered, 55 road culverts constructed and emplaced, and 127 miles of road work and repair.

During 1994, 1st CEB conducted several significant operations and training exercises. 3rd Plt, Company A, deployed with 2/9 to Ft. Sherman, Panama, from 6-30 January. Company B supported 5th Marines and 23rd Marines during GOLDEN PHEASANT ‘94 from 24 to 27 February. 1st CEB deployed 18 Marines to Kuwait from 6 to 24 April to participate in NATIVE FURY with 3/7. 1st CEB engineers constructed a mobile assault course at the Udari Range Complex, provided 3/7 with mobility/counter mobility support and conducted cross training with the Kuwaiti Army Engineers. In August of 1994, 1st CEB provided a company (rein) to the Wenatchee National Forest in Yakima, Washington, and the Kootenai National Forest in Libby, Montana, in support of Task Force Wildfire. This support was to help efforts in containing the wildfires in Tyee, Washington, and Koocanusa, Montana. A section of Marines were also deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation VIGILANT WARRIOR, I MEF’s response to Iraq’s military maneuvers on the Kuwaiti border. A platoon (REIN) was deployed to Chilliwack, Canada, in January 1994 in support of the Royal Canadian Engineers. They conducted winter survival skills training, downhill skiing, and tactical movement in Arctic conditions. In April of 1996, the Battalion deployed to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) in Bridgeport, California, to conduct Mountain Warfare Training Course 4-96. In May of 1996, elements of 1st CEB conducted JTF-6 missions in Imperial Desert, California. The Marines were responsible for the capture of over 300 illegal aliens and over 500 pounds


of Marijuana during the mission. In September of 1996, a company-sized element from the Battalion deployed to the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon to fight wild land fires as a part of a Disaster Relief Task Force (DRTF). In December 1996, 1st CEB deployed two full line companies, Support Company, and elements of H&S Company for Operation STEEL KNIGHT VI. This operation took place at Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC) 29 Palms, and involved over 6000 Marines from every major unit comprising the ground combat element (GCE) of the I MEF MPF. The battalion deployed two platoons in July of 1999 to support BRIGHT STAR Exercise in Egypt, providing force protection to the ground troops participating in the exercise. In June 2001, the battalion supported exercise RED REEF, Saudi Arabia, with one combat engineer platoon. During the exercise the platoon conducted bilateral live fire training with the Saudi engineers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, Royal Saudi Marine Forces (RSMF). Additionally, the platoon landed in Aqaba, Jordan, for exercise INFINITE MOONLIGHT. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, a platoon with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployed to Afghanistan and supported the seizure of Bagram Airbase during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In early 2003, 1st CEB deployed to Kuwait for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In March, 1st CEB combined with 2nd CEB as the combat engineer element for the 1st Marine Division (REIN) and moved into Iraq in support of I MEF’s march to Baghdad. Four combat engineer platoons remained in Iraq until late 2003 to provide support to the infantry battalions still located in the cities of Karbala, Diwaniyah, An Najaf, and As Samawah for Stability and Support Operations (SASO). By October 2003, all of the remaining platoons redeployed back to Camp Pendleton from Iraq. 1st CEB’s companies returned to Iraq in March of 2004. Both Company C (REIN) and Company B (REIN) supported 1st Marine Division’s Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs) 1 and 7 in Al Anbar Province. Two reinforced engineer platoons attached to MEUs also supported combat operations in Iraq. In July, the Battalion deployed a detachment to provide advanced IED training in theater. By October 2004, Company C and Company B redeployed back to Camp Pendleton, CA.

In 2005, 1st CEB platoons with both the 11th and 15th MEUs supported combat operations in Iraq. In March, an additional platoon joined combat operations in country. In September, Company C (REIN) deployed to western Al Anbar Province in support of RCT-2. Company C participated in Operation STEEL CURTAIN and operations in the vicinity of Haditha, Hit, Haqlaniyah, and Barwanah. In February 2006, Company B deployed to Al Anbar Province in support of RCT-5. Company C returned to Camp Pendleton in March 2006, and subsequently deployed back to Iraq in August/September to relieve Bravo Company in Fallujah in support of both RCT 5 and 6. In April of 2012, 1st CEB deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 12.1. In September of the following year, 1st CEB deployed once more to


Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 13.2 before returning to Camp Pendleton in April of 2014.

COMMANDING OFFICERS OF 1ST COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION

1st Lt T.S. Riley 1939-1941 2nd Lt L.W. Burnham 1941-1942 Capt J.G.Frazer 1942-1942 Maj H.H. Crockett 1942-1944 Maj J.PMcGuiness 1944-1944 LtCol C.W. Smith 1944-1944 Maj T.E. Drummond 1944-1946 LtCol E.M. Williams 1946-1946 LtCol C.M. Shuey 1946-1946 LtCol J.C. Brewer 1946-1949 LtCol H.H. Figures 1949-1950 LtCol F.R. Moore 1950-1950 LtCol J.H.Partridge 1950-1951 LtCol J.V. Kelsey 1951-1952 LtCol H.D. Clark 1952-1952 LtCol F.W.Augustine 1952-1953 LtCol J.M. Joyner 1953-1954 LtCol L.G. Coutts 1954-1955 LtCol F.X. Witt 1956-1958 LtCol J.J.Butler IV 1958-1959 LtCol B.C. Turner 1960-1961 Maj W.L. Hill 1961-1962 LtCol R.M. Elliot 1962-1963 LtCol L.W. Hetrick 1964-1965 LtCol J.R.Aichele 1965-1966 Maj C.O. Newton 1966-1967 LtCol L. Cassedy 1967-1968 LtCol D.H.Hildebrand 1968-1969 LtCol J.F. Mader 1969-1969 Maj W.M. Winoski 1969-1970 LtCol W.F. Glowicki 1970-1971 LtCol D.E. Benstead 1971-1971 Maj T.E. Harris 1971-1971 Maj H.L. Solter 1971-1971 Maj J.T. Schultz 1971-1971 Maj C.N. Wall 1971-1973 Maj T.K. McKeon 1973-1976 LtCol A.A. Bernotas 1976-1977 LtCol E.W. Lifset 1977-1978 LtCol P.J. Smith 1978-1980 LtCol P.W. Falkenbach 1980-1982 LtCol T.J. Dumont 1982-1984 LtCol G.J.Polyascko 1984-1986


LtCol R.E. Cahill 1986-1988 LtCol W.P. Kyle 1988-1989 LtCol F.C. Kebelman III 1989-1991 LtCol G.R.Holmquist 1991-1993 LtCol R.W. Ellis 1993-1995 LtCol J.I. Musca 1995-1997 LtCol A.J. Wendel III 1997-1999 LtCol R.W. Lottie 1999-2001 LtCol P.M. Cyr 2001-2003 Maj M. Jernigan 2003-2003 LtCol R.S. Hellman 2003-2004 LtCol R.A. Couser 2004-2006 LtCol W.A. Sinclair 2006-2007 LtColM.J. Callanan 2008-2010 LtColA.M.Niebel 2010-2012 LtCol A.R. Winthrop 2012-2014 LtCol C.D. Smith 2014-2016 LtCol C.M. Haar 2016-present

LINEAGE 1941-1949

DATED 24 FEBRUARY 1941 AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA, AS THE 1ST ENGINEER BATTALION, 1ST MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE

RELOCATED DURING APRIL 1941 TO PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA RELOCATED DURING SEPTEMBER 1941 TO NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA

DEPLOYED DURING JUNE 1942 TO WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND REDESIGNATED 12 JANUARY 1943 AS THE 1ST BATTALION, 17TH MARINES, 1ST

MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE REDESIGNATED 30 JUNE 1944 AS THE FIRST ENGINEER BATTALION, 1ST

MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGNS

GUADALCANAL EASTERN NEW GUINEA

NEW BRITAIN PELELIU

OKINAWA DEPLOYED DURING SEPTEMBER 1945 TO TIENTSIN, CHINA

RELOCATED DURING JUNE 1947 TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA 1950-1964

DEPLOYED DURING AUGUST 1950 TO KOBE, JAPAN, AND JOINED THE 1ST PROVISIONAL MARINE BRIGADE, FLEET MARINE FORCE


REDEPLOYED DURING SEPTEMBER 1950 TO INCHON, KOREA, AND JOINED THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE

PARTICIPATED IN THE KOREAN CONFLICT, OPERATING FROM PUSAN PERIMETER

INCHON-SEOUL CHOSIN RESERVOIR

EAST-CENTRAL FRONT WESTERN FRONT

PARTICIPATED IN THE DEFENSE OF THE KOREAN DEMILITARIZED ZONE, AUGUST 1953 – APRIL 1955

RELOCATED DURING APRIL 1955 TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA REDESIGNATED 1 MAY 1957 AS THE 1ST PIONEER BATTALION, 1ST MARINE

DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE REDESIGNATED 1 MAY 1963 AS THE 1ST ENGINEER BATTALION, 1ST MARINE

DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE 1965 – 1975

REDEPLOYED DURING SEPTEMBER 1965 TO CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA REDEPLOYED DURING JANUARY 1966 TO CHU LAI, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

PARTICIPATED IN THE WAR IN VIETNAM, JANUARY 1966 – APRIL 1971 OPERATING FROM

CHU LAI DA NANG

RELOCATED DURING APRIL 1971 TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION NEW ARRIVAL, THE RELOCATION OF

REFUGEES FROM INDOCHINA, CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, APRIL – NOVEMBER 1975

1976 – 1999 REDESIGNATED 31 MARCH 1976 AS THE 1ST COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION, 1ST DIVISION SUPPORT GROUP, 1ST MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE

REASSIGNED DURING MAY 1978 TO THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION, FLEET MARINE FORCE

PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM, SOUTHWEST ASIA, AUGUST 1990 – MARCH 1991

PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION RESTORE HOPE, SOMALIA, JANUARY – FEBRUARY 1993

ELEMENT PARTICIPATED IN FIRE-FIGHTING EFFORTS, WESTERN UNITED STATES, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1994

ELEMENT PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION VIGILANT WARRIOR, KUWAIT, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

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PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 19 MARCH 2003 - PRESENT

HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND TWO

BRONZE STARS WORLD WAR II

GUADALCANAL – 1942 PELELIU – 1944

OKINAWA – 1945

KOREA 1950 1950 1951

VIETNAM 1966 – 1967 1967 – 1968

JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD STREAMER

SOMALIA 1993

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

KOREA 1952 – 1953

SOUTHWEST ASIA

1990 - 1991

MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR VIETNAM

1969 – 1970 1986 – 1988

AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND ONE

BRONZE STAR WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STREAMER WITH “ASIA” CHINA SERVICE STREAMER

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER STARS

ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER


VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER AND TWO BRONZE STARS SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS

KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM STREAMER

VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER

SECOND COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION

The 2d Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB) was activated on 1 November 1940 in order to support 2d Marine Brigade. With existing Company A and the activation of the Headquarters and Service Company, Companies B and C were organized 6 December 1940 in San Diego, California. On 1 April 1941, the Engineers were assigned to Division Special Troops of the 2d Marine Division. On 4 November 1941, 2d Engineer Battalion was relocated to Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Upon Arrival, Headquarters and Service Company and Company A were assigned to construct Camp Caitlin, Oahu. The 2d Engineer Battalion was relocated on 13 May 1942 to Camp Elliot, San Diego. From here, Engineers from Company A embarked for Guadalcanal, and participated in the landing on that island. On 8 September 1942 2d Engineer Battalion was redesignated as First Battalion, 18th Marines. During World War II, the Engineers of 18th Marines participated in Campaigns on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. 18th Marines was redesignated 16 August 1944 as the 2d Engineer Battalion. On 23 September 1945, 2d Engineer Battalion was redeployed to Nagasaki, Japan to begin its duty as on Occupational Force. The 2d Engineer Battalion relocated to Camp Lejeune, during July 1946. A major redesignation took place on 17 May 1958 with 2d Engineer Battalion becoming the 2d Pioneer Battalion, 2d Marine Division. Engineers with BLT's 1/8, 3/6, and 2/2 landed in Lebanon during the summer of 1958. The 2d Pioneer Battalion maintained a combat-ready posture during the October/November Cuban Missile Crisis while on maneuvers in the Caribbean. Another change of designation took place on 1 April 1976 when the 2d Pioneer Battalion returned to its former designation as the 2d Engineer Battalion. During the spring


of 1965, Marines from 2d Engineer Battalion landed in the Dominican Republic on a peace keeping mission. Also, training exercises in numerous European and South American Countries were supported by Marines from 2d Engineer Battalion, who participated in civic action projects. On 15 April 1976 the 2nd Engineer Battalion was designated as 2d Combat Engineer Battalion. In the 1970's and early 1980's the Battalion furnished Combat Engineer Support to the Battalion Landing Teams (BLT) in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, 29 Palms, Norway, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From August 1982 to February 1984 Marines from 2d Combat Engineer Battalion were part of the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon. Late in October 1983, Combat Engineers landed and occupied the island of Grenada with the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit. The Battalion continued to provide Combat Engineer Platoons to the BLT's of the 22nd and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units and support elements of the Division throughout the world. During April 1990, elements of the Battalion supported Division units attached to Marine Forces Panama and participated in Operation "Just Cause". In August 1990, Company D, while deployed aboard the USS Barstable County off the coast of West Africa participated in Operation "Sharp Edge" assisting in the evacuation of civilians from Liberia. During Operations Desert Shield/Storm the Battalion deployed in support of the 4th MEB and the 2d Marine Division leading the Division through the myriad of obstacle belts into Kuwait. January 1995 and July to October 1995 elements of 2d CEB participated in Operation Sea Signal in Cuba. In January 2003, the battalion deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). March of 2003, 2d CEB assumed control of all division combat engineers during the initial invasion of Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The combined Combat Engineer Battalion provided support to more than 12 separate battalions conducting all facets of combat engineering. Company A was attached to Regimental Combat Team 2 as part of Task Force Tarawa during OIF. 2d CEB continually deployed at least one platoon in support of OIF from 2003-2009. From February to June 2004, combat engineers from 2d CEB participated in Operation Secure Tomorrow in Haiti. Elements of 2d CEB participated in OEF from 2005-2014 and deployed as a battalion in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014. During the fall of 2005, Marines from 2d CEB aided in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in New Orleans, Louisiana in response to Hurricane Katrina. From January to February 2010, the battalion’s engineers participated in Operation Unified Response in Haiti and supported the global war on terrorism in Djibouti, Africa from July to December 2010. From 2013-2016, Company B supported 6th Marine Regiment for the 22d MEU, 24th MEU, 26th MEU, and Conus Based Alert Force (CBAF). 2d CEB continued support to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa (SP-MAGTF-CR-AF) from January to July 2016. On 1 April 2016, 2d CEB moved to their new battle position at Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 2d CEB continues to enhance the mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability of the 2d Marine Division through combat and limited general engineering support.

COMMANDING OFFICERS OF 2nd COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION

LtCol August L. Vogt 16 August 1944 - 6 February 1945 LtCol August L. Vogt 10 July 1945 - 24 July 1945


LtCol Joseph S. Reynaud 7 February 1945 - 9 July 1945 Maj Richard D. Kirkpatrick 25 July 1945 - 5 October 1945 LtCol John H. Partidge 6 October 1945 - 17 April 1946 Maj Harry D. Clarke 5 June 1946 - 20 October 1946 LtCol William W. Lewis 21 October 1946 - 21 April 1947 Maj (LtCol) Robert L. Smith 22 April 1949 - 25 July 1950 Maj Emile P. Moses 26 July 1950 - 5 August 1950 Maj (LtCol) Robert L. Smith 30 August 1950 - 4 April 1951 LtCol James M. Joyner 5 April 1951 - 28 July 1952 LtCol George L. H. Cooper 29 July 1952 - 23 December 1953 Maj Thomas F. Savage Jr. 20 May 1954 - 8 July 1954 LtCol Nathaniel Morganthal 9 July 1954 - 28 February 1955 LtCol William L. Batchelor 1 March 1955 - 4 May 1956 Maj Charles C. Cresap 5 May 1956 - 23 July 1956 LtCol W.V. Schwebke 24 July 1956 - 20 October 1958 LtCol H.R. Gingher 21 October 1958 - 1 July 1959 LtCol J.W. Love 2 July 1959 - 3 June 1960 LtCol J.G. Dibble 4 June 1960 - 30 June 1961 LtCol J.F. Mentzer 1 July 1961 - 1 October 1962 LtCol R.E. Brandel 2 October 1962 - 1 April 1963 Maj E.H. Jones 2 April 1963 - 17 September 1963 LtCol F.R. DeNormandie 18 September 1963 - 9 January 1966 Maj J.J. Harp 11 May 1966 - 31 July 1966 LtCol E.A. VonOrde Jr. 1 August 1966 - 26 June 1967 LtCol J.F. Mader 27 June 1967 - 13 June 1968 Maj T.W. Jones 14 June 1967 - 9 July 1968 LtCol G.B. Cornwall 10 July 1968 - 19 February 1970 LtCol W.W. Winder 26 February 1971 - 14 June 1973 LtCol C.F. Dininger Jr. 15 June 1973 - 8 July 1974 Maj J.P. Burke 9 July 1974 - 7 August 1974 LtCol C.D. Wood 30 August 1974 - 15 August 1975 LtCol W.M. Winoski 16 August 1975 - 31 August 1977 LtCol J.G. Dixon 1 September 1977 - 18 June 1979 LtCol R.H. Huckaby 19 June 1979 - 1 July 1981 Maj (LtCol) M.L. Ogilvie 2 July 1983 - 6 June 1985 LtCol K.D. Pricer 7 June 1985 - 18 December 1986 LtCol J.A. Marapoti 19 December 1986 - 21 July 1988 LtCol K.O. Randel 22 July 1988 - 15 December 1989 LtCol J.D. Winchester 16 December 1989 - 12 June 1991 LtCol M.E. Swanstrom 13 June 1991 - 12 January 1993 LtCol Joe H. Peagler 13 January 1993 - 27 May 1994 LtCol J.C. Trealease 28 May 1994 - 15 June 1995 LtCol J.M. Jennings 16 June 1995 - 16 January 1997 LtCol John E. Wissler 17 January 1997 - 25 July 1998 LtCol Truman Anderson 26 July 1998 - 19 July 2000 LtCol B.O. Smith 20 July 2000 - 19 June 2002 LtCol M.A. Micucci 20 June 2002 - 22 June 2004 LtCol D.A. Ottignon 23 June 2004 - 23 June 2006


LtCol M.A. Brennan 23 June 2006 - 12 June 2008 LtCol K.F. Cordova 12 June 2008 - 23 July 2010 LtCol E.R. Quhel 23 July 2010 - 14 June 2012 LtCol J.C. Osborne 14 June 2012 - 11 December 2014 LtCol Gary A. McCullar 11 December 2014 – 12 Jan 2017 LtCol Scott W. Zimmerman 12 Jan 2017 - Present

LINEAGE

1940-1957

ACTIVATED 1 NOVEMEBER 1940 AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, AS 2D ENGINEER BATTALION, 2D MARINE BRIGADE

ASSIGNED 1 FEBRUARY 1941 TO 2D MARINE DIVISION

RELOCATED 1 APRIL 1941 TO DIVISION SPECIAL TROOPS, 2D MARINE

DIVISION

RELOCATED DURING NOVEMBER 1941 TO PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII

RELOCATED DURING MAY 1942 TO CAMP ELLIOTT, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

REDESIGNATED 8 SEPTEMBER 1942 AS 1ST BATTALION, 18TH MARINES, 2D

MARINE DIVISION

RELOCATED DURING NOVEMBER 1942 TO WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGNS

GUADALCANAL TARAWA SAIPAN TINIAN

OKINAWA

REDESIGNATED 16 AUGUST 1944 AS 2D ENGINEER BATTALION, 2D MARINE DIVISION

REDEPLOYED DURING SEPTEMBER 1945 TO NAGASAKI, JAPAN

RELOCATED DURING JULY 1946 TO CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA

1958-1994


REDESIGNATED 17 MAY 1958, AS 2D PIONEER BATTALION, 2D MARINE DIVISION

PARTICIPATED IN THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1962

REDESIGNATED 1 APRIL 1963 AS 2D ENGINEER BATTALION, 2D MARINE

DIVISION

REDESIGNATED 15 APRIL 1976 AS 2D COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION, 2D MARINE DIVISION

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED AS PART OF THE MULTINATIONAL PEACE-

KEEPING FORCE IN LEBANON, AUGUST 1982- FEBRUARY 1984

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE LANDINGS ON GRENADA-CARRIACOU, OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1983

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION SHARP EDGE, LIBERIA, AUGUST

1990

PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM, SOUTHWEST ASIA, DECEMBER 1990-APRIL 1991

1995-2015

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION SEA SIGNAL, CUBA, JANUARY 1995 AND JULY-OCTOBER 1995

DEPLOYED DURING JANUARY 2003 TO KUWAIT IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION

ENDURING FREEDOM

PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, IRAQ, MARCH-JUNE 2003

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, IRAQ, 2003-2009

ELEMENTS PARTICPATED IN OPERATION SECURE TOMORROW, HAITI, FEBRUARY-JUNE 2004

ELEMENTS PARTICPATED IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM,

AFGHANISTAN, 2005-2014

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF, LOUISIANA, IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA, AUGUST-

OCTOBER 2005

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PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, AFGHANISTAN, NOVEMBER 2009-APRIL 2010, APRIL-DECEMBER 2011, OCTOBER 2012-APRIL

2013 AND APRIL-OCTOBER 2014

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE, HAITI, JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN SUPPORT OF GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM,

DJIBOUTI, JULY-DECEMBER 2010

HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS

WORLD WAR II TARAWA – 1943

IRAQ 2003

AFGHANISTAN

2009-2010

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990 – 1991

AFGHANISTAN

2010

AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND ONE BRONZE STAR

WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STEAMER WITH “ASIA” AND “EUROPE”

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS


SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS

AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS


IRAQ CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman Jr. (Posthumously awarded. For actions against enemy forces on the island of Tarawa)

Staff Sergeant William J. Bordelon (Posthumously awarded. For actions against enemy

forces on the island of Tarawa)

THIRD COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION

The Battalion began service to our Corps as 1st Bn, 19th Marines in September 1942 and was re-designated 3d Engineer Battalion two years later. From August 1957 till January 1962, the Battalion served as the 3d Pioneer Battalion, and then reverted back to 3d Engineer Battalion until September 1975 when re-designated to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion. Tested under fire in every clime and place, 3rd CEB continued to "Engineer the Best Fight." Over the years, the Battalion has been employed throughout the western Pacific

while remaining home ported at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Deploying in support of Division and III MEF exercises to the Republic of Korea was a normal battalion annual event for "Team Spirit" and "Valiant Blitz." The flag deployed on a variety of engineer exercises to the Philippines, Tinian, and Thailand and deployed to Camp Fuji, Iwo Jima, and the Marianas Islands. During its existence, 3d CEB's companies or platoons provided support to the 4th and 9th Marine Regiments in the Republic of Korea, mainland Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Mobility, counter mobility and survivability training was the battalion's main emphasis ensuring a high degree of combat readiness. The 1980s and 1990s saw an increase in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and civic action operations. 3rd CEB provided three companies to operations "Desert Shield/Desert Storm" between August 1990 and March 1991. "Alpha" Company deployed from Hawaii with the 1st MEB, "Bravo" Company deployed via amphibious shipping 15 August 1990 from Okinawa, and "Charlie" Company flew to "Desert Shield" and landed five days before the air war began. The Marines from 3d CEB raised the esteem and pride of the battalion

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through their efforts. Leading the way, engineers from 3rd CEB participated in breaching operations with "Task Force Grizzly" and "Papa Bear." Lance Corporal Kasey A. Krock of Bravo Company, attached to Alpha Company, 1st CEB, was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions during operation "Papa Bear." The 1993 Command Chronology shows Company B as Cadred but the rest of the Battalion continuing its high state of training and readiness. Company D was deactivated 9 February 1995. Headquarters & Service Company and Company C were deactivated 5 April 1995 and Engineer Support Company deactivated 6 Jun 1995. As the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion units were being deactivated, Combat Engineer Company was manned and equipped and placed under the operational control of Combat Assault Battalion, 3d Marine Division on 24 April 1995. During this time, Combat Engineer Company (CEC) provided all the mobility, counter mobility and survivability support to all of the 3rd Marine Division no matter where the training or operations took them. A good example of this was the combat engineer platoon assigned to Battalion Landing Tean (BLT) 1/3, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). On short notice, this unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2-2. The engineer platoon played a vital role in Operation Al-Faljr (New Dawn). The mission of the operation was to clear the city of Fallujah of insurgents and provide a secure and stable environment for the populace. The heroic battle was the largest urban assault that the Marine Corps had participated in since Seoul, Korea. The Marines played a critical role in the assault beginning with a breach on D+2 for Regimental Combat Team 7. A mechanized breach was conducted to provide a lane through numerous mines and Improvised Explosive Devices. Throughout the next two months, the engineers conducted upwards of 20 urban breaches a day in support of clearing operations. Numerous weapons caches were located by the platoon and destroyed. The Marines performed with honor, valor, and immense courage in this complex asymmetrical battle. After the assault, it was commonly remarked that Falluja, once the heart of the insurgency, was now the safest city in Iraq.

In October 2007, Company A was activated aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms, California. Platoons deployed in support of both Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. On 21 August 2009, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion (-) was reactivated under 1st Marine Division (Rein) on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms,

California. During October 2009 to February 2010, Company B deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) to provide Route Clearance and Reconnaissance (R2C) support. From April 2010 to November 2010, the battalion deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 10.1 in Afghanistan under 1st Marine Division (Forward). This marked the first time since the Vietnam War that the battalion deployed as a whole. During this period, the battalion provided combat engineer


platoons in direct support of infantry battalions, company headquarters in direct support of the Regimental Combat Teams, and Route Clearance and Reconnaissance companies to clear Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from roadways. Company C, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion was attached to 3d CEB and served as straight-leg combat engineers; while Company A, 1st Tank Battalion was attached to 3d CEB serving as a R2C company. From October 2011 to April 2012, the battalion deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM 11.2 in Afghanistan under 2d Marine Division (Forward). Again, the battalion provided combat engineer platoons in direct support of infantry battalions, company headquarters in direct support of the Regimental Combat Teams, and Route Clearance and Reconnaissance companies to clear Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Company A, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion was attached to 3rd CEB and served as straight-leg combat engineers; while Company C, 1st Tank Battalion was attached to 3rd CEB serving as a R2C company. 3rd CEB was officially deactivated during a ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, Jun 2014.

COMMANDING OFFICERS OF 3D COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION SINCE REDESIGNATION 1 MAY 1963

Maj W.L. Persec Jan 62-May 62 LtCol J.H. Cavalero May 62-Jun 63 LtCol J.R. Einum Jun 63-Aug 63 LtCol C.C Cresap Aug 63-Aug 64 LtCol C.N Wann Jr. Aug 64-May 65 LtCol N.J. Dennis May 65-May 66 Maj C.J. Smith May 66-Jun 66 Maj C.D. Wood Jun 66-Sep 66 LtCol G.M. Pearce Jr. Sep 66-Feb 67 LtCol J.H. Reid Jr. Feb 67-Oct 67 LtCol R.C. McCutchan Oct 67-Nov 67 LtCol J.W. Perrin Nov 67-Mar 68 Maj R.S. Krolak Mar 68-Sep 68 LtCol W.A. Persec Sep 68-Apr 69 LtCol J.R. Lilley Apr 69-Aug 69 LtCol R.C. Damm Aug 69-Sep 69 LtCol J.W. Medis Sep 69-May 70 LtCol E.K. Maxwell May 70-Aug 70 LtCol D.D. Crews, Jr Aug 70-May 71 LtCol C.R. Gibson May 71-Jan 72


Maj R.F. Goins Jan 72-Aug 72 Maj W.H. Long Aug 72-Jun 73 LtCol P.J. Shank Jul 73-Sep 73 LtCol J.W. Marks Sep 73-Aug 74 Maj R.K. Wiederhold Aug 74-Aug 74 LtCol JC Thorp Aug 74-Sep 75 LtCol L.T. Nappi Sep 75-Oct 76 LtCol K.P. Millice Jr. Oct 76-Oct 77 Maj R.J Gadwill Oct 77-Dec 77 Col J.B. Townsend Dec 77-Nov 78 Col D.R. Mabry Nov 78-Jul 79 LtCol J.J. Kirkpatrick Jul 79-Jul 80 LtCol C. Barnett Jul 80-Jul 80 LtCol G.R. Melbaum Jul 80-Nov 80 LtCol HL Luttrell Nov 80-Jul 81 Maj R.G. Wilmes Jul 81-Jun 82 Maj H.G. Rudge Jun 82-Jul 82 LtCol P.R Catalogne Jul 82-May 83 Maj A.E. Flores May 83-Jun 83 LtCol D.E. Crais Jun 83-Jul 84 LtCol R.W. Schumacher Jr. Jul 84-Jul 86 LtCol M.D. Kolar Jul 86-May 88 LtCol J.D. Terry May 88-Nov 89 LtCol K.D. Frantz Nov 89-Jun 90 LtCol W.A. Spencer Jun 90-Jan 92 LtCol F.A. Panter Jr. Jan 92-Jun 93 LtCol R. Tiberg Jun 93-Jun 95 LtCol J.H. Bain Aug 09-Jun 11 LtCol J.P. Sullivan, Jr Jun 11-1 Jan 2012 LtCol Brian M. Dwyer 1 Jan to 30 Jun 2014

LINEAGE

1942-1946

ACTIVATED 16 SEPTEMBER 1942 AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORINA, AS 1ST BATALION, 19TH MARINES AND ASSIGNED TO 3D MARINE DIVISION

RELOCATED DURING NOVEMBER 1942 TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORINA

DEPLOYED DURING FEBRUARY 1943 TO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGNS

BOUGAINVILLE GUAM

IWO JIMA

REDESIGNATED 7 SEPTEMBER 1944 AS 3D ENGINEER BATTALION


RELOCATED DURING DECEMBER 1945 TO CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA

DEACTIVATED 12 JANUARY 1946

1946 - 1952

REACTIVATED 5 MARCH 1952 AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, AS 3D ENGINEER BATTALION AND ASSIGNED TO 3D MARINE DIVISION

DEPLOYED DURING AUGUST 1953 TO KOBE, JAPAN

REDEPLOYED DURING FEBRUARY 1955 TO TENGAN, OKINAWA

RELOCATED DURING JANUARY 1956 TO CAMP KAWASAKI, OKINAWA

REDESIGNATED 28 JULY 1958 AS 3D PIONEER BATTALION

RELOCATED DURING AUGUST 1958 TO CAMP KOZA, OKINAWA

REDESIGNATED 1 MAY 1963 AS 3D ENGINEER BATTALION

1965 - 1995

DEPLOYED DURING JUNE 1965 TO DA NANG, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM PARTICIPATED IN THE WAR IN VIETNAM, JUNE 1965 – OCTOBER 1969

OPERATING FROM DA NANG DONG HA

GIA LE QUANG TRI CUA VIET

CAMP CARROLL CAM LO

VANDEGRIFT COMBAT BASE

REDEPLOYED DURING OCTOBER 1969 TO CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA

RELOCATED DURING NOVEMBER 1970 TO CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA

REDESIGNATED 15 MAY 1976 AS 3D COMBAT ENGINEER BATTALION PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION FIERY VIGIL, PHILIPPINES,

OCTOBER 1990 – SEPTEMBER 1991

ELEMENTS PARTICPATED IN OPERATION DESERT STORM, SOUTHWEST ASIA, JANUARY – APRIL 1991

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OERATION SEA ANGEL, BANGLADESH,

MAY – JUNE 1991


DEACTIVATED 6 JUNE 1995

2007 – 2009 COMPANY A REACTIVATED 1 OCTOBER 2007 AT TWENTYNINE PALMS,

CALIFORNIA, AND ASSIGNED TO 1ST MARINE DIVISION (REIN) ELEMENT PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, IRAQ, 2008

ELEMENT PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM,

AFGHANISTAN, 2008

ELEMENT PARTICIPATED IN OPERATATION IRAQI FREEDOM, IRAQ, 2009 APRIL – NOVEMBER 2010

PATICIPATED IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, AFGHANISTAN, 2010

HONORS

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE STARS

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE

STARS

AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER STAR

WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE STREAMER WITH “ASIA”CHINA SERVICE STREAMER

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS

KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER

KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE STARS


VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER AND THREE BRONZE

STARS

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS


VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM STREAMER

VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION STREAMER

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER

IRAQ CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS

AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR

ENGINEERS UP! SEMPER FIDELIS! Information sourced from the National Archives and their Archived Photo Collections on World War I and Vietnam. Special thanks to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and 2nd Maintenance Battalion for their help in putting together the command chronologies and the article on the TD-18.

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Documents

MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATION HISTORY - 2017 …marcorengasn.org/marine_docs/History2017.pdf · · 2017-06-03MARINE CORPS ENGINEER ASSOCIATION HISTORY -2017 Photo from National