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. 1st CEB engineers constructed a mobile assault course at the Udari Range Complex, provided 3/7 with mobility/countermobility support and conducted cross training with the Kuwaiti Army Engineers. 1st CEB deployed 18 Marines to Kuwait from 6 to 24 April to participate in NATIVE FURY with 3/7. Company B supported 5th Marines and 23rd Marines during GOLDEN PHEASANT ‘94 from 24 to 27 February. 3rd Plt, Company A, deployed with 2/9 to Ft. 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.ĭuring 1994, 1st CEB conducted several significant operations and training exercises. Elements of 1st CEB fortified positions and improved defenses at the US Embassy, Mogadishu Airport, and Mogadishu Stadium. During this period the battalion participated in the relief and security effort in Somalia. The liberation of Kuwait was secure on 28 February 1991 and the engineers prepared to return to the United States.ġst Combat Engineer Battalion returned to San Mateo on 1 April 1991 and continued to provide engineering support to the 1st Marine Division.įrom 29 December 1992 to 2 February 1993, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion (-) deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. Six months later, the engineers breached Iraqi minefields and obstacles as they attacked into Kuwait on 24 February 1991, in Operation Desert Storm. On 17 August 1990, the battalion arrived in Saudi Arabia and began unloading MPF shipping and preparing defensive positions during Operation Desert Shield. 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. Providing a variety of close combat engineer support throughout I Corps, the battalion also took part in the battle for Hue City. The battalion sailed for Vietnam in 1965, remaining there until 1971. On, the battalion was redesignated as 1st Engineer Battalion. In October 1962, elements of the battalion took part in the Cuban missile crisis. On, the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Pioneer Battalion. During that conflict, the engineers participated in ten campaigns, but were best known for helping to lead the famous "breakout" at the Chosin Reservoir. That evening, the attack succeeded.įollowing World War II, the battalion served in China on occupation duty, and then relocated to Camp Pendleton in 1947.ġst Combat Engineer Battalion deployed to Korea in 1950 and participated in the brilliant landing at Inchon. Both were quickly killed, but another young engineer leaped aboard and managed to clear the way. Called upon to breach the final obstacle, two engineers moved forward on an unarmored bulldozer. 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. Facing a well entrenched enemy in swampy terrain, the engineers spent a torturous day building a corduroy road under direct enemy fire.
Typical of the role the engineers played was an attack that "C" Company participated in on New Britain in 1944. The 1st Engineer Battalion fought in four other World War II campaigns: Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Serving as infantry at night, the engineers were kept busy repairing damage from Japanese bomber attacks.
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. In August 1942, the battalion landed on Guadalcanal with the 1st Marine Division. All companies of the battalion were activated by 15 December 1941, just eight days after Pearl Harbor was attacked. 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 (H&S).
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