The 1st Engineer Battalion is the oldest and most decorated engineer battalion in the United States Army. The battalion's history can be traced back to May 15, 1846 when a company of Miners, Sappers, and Pontoniers was formed at West Point, New York. Alpha Company, 1st Engineer Battalion is that company's direct descendant. During its long history, the battalion has received 62 decorations and campaign streamers and eight foreign awards.
Redesignated 5 June 1953 as the 1st Engineer Battalion
Relieved 16 March 2006 from assignment to the 1st Infantry Division (Lettered companies concurrently inactivated; Support Company concurrently constituted and activated)
Best Moment Hwy 1 road opening mission- support tank hit small road side bomb blowing off track as it passed my 1 ton supply truck but ran over my truck instead crushing it flat- wasn't funny until Cpt Appel drove up laughing then realized it was his equipt truck.... no one even scratched but truck was "combat" (?) loss...
Worst Moment satchel bomb went off next to our OQ but fell in deep ditch around houch for that purpose - I was on other side of bldg it missed the Lt's bunk closest to it by couple feet.
Chain of Command Company CO- Capt. George Appel
Other Memories Squad Member turned over 5 ton dump truck filled with dirt onto Div Commanders helipad & ensuing panic-it was unavoidable as road just been covered in Oil, not diesel/oil mix- to reduce dust....
