2nd Eng BN

• Origins in the 19th Century: The 2nd Engineer Battalion was originally constituted on 31 December 1861 as the Battalion of Engineers in the U.S. Army, making it one of the oldest engineer units. • Philippine-American War: The unit served in the Philippines from 1899 to 1902, where it was involved in building infrastructure and supporting combat operations. • World War I Service: During World War I, the 2nd Engineer Regiment participated in key campaigns such as the Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Champagne 1918. • Korean War – The Kunu-ri Stand: In November 1950, the battalion famously fought a delaying action at Kunu-ri, North Korea, where they destroyed their equipment and regimental colors to prevent their capture during a Chinese offensive. • Burning of the Colors Ceremony: The 2nd Engineer Battalion commemorates the Kunu-ri battle every year with a "Burning of the Colors" ceremony, symbolizing their sacrifice and commitment. • Decorations: The battalion has received several unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations for actions in both World War I and the Korean War. • Reactivation at White Sands Missile Range: After periods of inactivation and reactivation, the battalion was reactivated in 2008 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, as part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: Its unit crest features a castle and a fleur-de-lis, symbolizing its engineer heritage and service in France during World War I. • Modern Deployments: In recent decades, the 2nd Engineer Battalion has deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing route clearance and construction support. • Motto: The battalion's motto is “Essayons” (Let Us Try), which is also the motto of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, reflecting their spirit of innovation and determination.