397th Engineer Battalion (United States) explained

Unit Name:397th Engineer Battalion
Country:United States
Allegiance:United States Army
Branch:US Army Reserve
Dates:15 August 1942 – Present
Specialization:Engineers
Size:Battalion
Garrison:Marina, California
Current Commander:LTC Christopher Smiley
Current Commander Label:Commander
Ceremonial Chief:CSM Russell Moore
Ceremonial Chief Label:Command Sergeant Major

The 397th Engineer Battalion is a multi-role engineer battalion of the United States Army based in Marina, California. Activated 18 May 1959 at Eau Claire, the battalion traces its lineage back to World War II. It is a United States Army Reserve formation and is subordinate to the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Joint Base Lewis McCord WA.

Lineage

Constituted 5 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 2d Battalion, 353d Engineer Regiment

Activated 15 August 1942 at Camp White, Oregon, as the 2d Battalion, 353d Engineer General Service Regiment

Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1944 as the 1393d Engineer Construction Battalion

Inactivated 28 February 1946 in Japan

Redesignated 6 February 1947 as the 397th Engineer Construction Battalion, and allotted to the Organized Reserves

Activated 19 February 1947 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin

(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)

Inactivated 17 November 1950 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Redesignated 27 April 1959 as the 397th Engineer Battalion

Activated 18 May 1959 at Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Elements ordered into active military service in support of the War on Terror:

Honors

Unit Decorations

AwardYear(s)Notes
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation1944–1945For service in the Pacific Theater
Valorous Unit Award2003–2004652nd Engineer Company, Operation Iraqi Freedom

External links