Lineage & Honors
Lineage
The 52nd Engineer Combat Battalion began as a railway construction battalion at Camp Upon, New York on 18 February 1918. It saw service in France in World War I where it had the difficult mission of constructing and repairing the railroads that were the logistics life for the American Expeditionary Forces. The unit was demobilized after World War I.
During World War II the battalion participated in the North African, Sicilian, and Italian Campaigns. In November 1942, the battalion was part of the assault echelon in landings in North Africa. The battalion was again in the assault echelon during the invasion of Sicily where the engineers hastily cleared sections of beaches, reconnoitered for exit routes, provided dozer support and knocked out pillboxes.
In February 1968, after several redesignations, the 52nd Engineer Battalion was activated at Fort Carson, where it has remained providing construction and combat engineer support. In October 1990 through April 1991, the 52nd Engineer Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia, where the battalion performed many missions during the defensive and offensive phases of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
In September 1994 through December 1994, the 52d Engineer Battalion deployed to Haiti in support of the US and international forces that reestablished democracy in that country. The 52nd Engineers operated a rock quarry where over 200,000 tons of rock were removed; making this was the largest military quarry operation in a tactical environment since the Korean Conflict. In October of 1999 the 52d Engineer Battalion was established as one of the first multi-component engineer battalions in the Army, consisting of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard companies.
In 2003 the 52nd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), based at Fort Carson, deployed to Iraq in support of the 101st Airborne Division and operated out of Mosul, Iraq where it conducted multiple construction projects for the Screaming Eagles. After the battalion returned to Ft. Carson, the 52nd Engineer Battalion split from its multi-component companies and inactivated in February 2005.
The 52nd Engineer Battalion (Construction) was activated 16 April 2010 at Fort Carson, Colorado where once again the battalion provides construction engineer support to units at Ft. Carson and prepares to support Full Spectrum operations throughout the world.
Honors
World War I:
Streamer without inscription
World War II:
Algeria-French Morocco (with arrowhead); Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; North Apennines; Po Valley
Southwest Asia:
Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, Cease Fire
Decorations:
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Steamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 1990-1991
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Steamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 2003-2004
Insignia
Red and white are the colors of the Engineer Corps. The windmill, taken from the former seal of the City of New York, represents the territory in which the regiment was organized; the wheel alludes to the service of the regiment in the Transportation Corps. The fleur-de-lis symbolizes World War I service.
555th Brigade-Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Scarlet and white represent the Engineer branch and recall the unit's heritage with the 7th Engineer Brigade. White recalls the sands of desert theaters of war and also refers to the secondary mission of fighting as infantry. The demi-fleur-de-lis refers to the Corps of Engineers' history in France and recalls the unit's service there during World War II. Blue represents the various bodies of water bridged as part of mission requirements and with scarlet and white refers to the United States commitment to combat worldwide terrorism. The black eagle recalls World War II campaigns in Germany. The ten embattlements along with the five sides of the device recall the unit's designation, the 555th. Scarlet denotes sacrifice and courage. Black signifies strength and solidarity. Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 555th Engineer Group on 30 July 2004. It was re- designated effective 16 June 2007, for the 555th Engineer Brigade.
