541st Maintenance Battalion
541st Corps Support Battalion
The 541st Maintenance Battalion's mission is to deploy, establish, and provide command and control for company size logistical units in an area of operations in direct support of Corps or Theater units.
The 541st Maintenance Battalion is composed of eight units each with its own lineage and honors. These eight units have a total of 37 campaign credits from World War I, II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf Wars. They have also been awarded six unit decorations. Originally constituted as a quartermaster and later as a supply and service battalion, the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment has campaign credit for Rhineland in World War II.
The 1st Maintenance Company (DS), which possesses its own distinctive unit crest, was originally organized in 1918 as the 1st Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop and enjoyed a long association with the 1st Infantry Division until 1939. The company has credit for six campaigns in World War I with the Big Red One, four campaigns in World War II, and fourteen in Korea. The company has been awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Korea) and Navy Presidential Unit Citation (Hwachon Reservoir).
The 24th Transportation Company (Medium Truck) was organized on 25 July 1942 in the Regular Army as Company K, 27th Quartermaster Truck Regiment at Camp Gruber, OK. On 8 June 1953, the unit was designated the 24th Transportation Company. In the mid 60's, the company deployed to Vietnam under the 36th Transportation Battalion. Furthermore, the unit served as a member of the 7th Transportation Group during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and deployed in support of United Nations Forces to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. The 24th Transportation Company at Fort Riley also provides command and control to a platoon detachment of the 2nd Transportation Company (Heavy Truck).
The 55th Engineer Company (MGB) was originally activated as Bravo Company, 489th Engineer Water Supply Battalion on 31 October 1942 at Camp Maxey, Texas. The Company participated in the Bismarck Archipelago and Luson Campaigns of World War II. The company was also awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. In June of 1947, the unit was redesignated as the 55th Engineer Company, and then in January of 1952, the unit was reactivated at Fort Campbell, KY, as the 55th Engineer Company (Panel Bridge). On 4 July 1968, the 55th Engineer Company was reassigned from Germany and assigned to Fort Riley, KS. The unit was recently deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor from January 1996 until April 1996.
The 74th Ordnance Detachment (EOD) was organized and assigned to Aberdeen Proving Grounds on 2 December 1943. The unit deployed to Europe on 6 May 1944 where they were awarded battle credits for participating in Northern France, Normandy, and Central Europe Campaigns. On 17 January 1952 the unit was transferred to Fort Riley, KS. The detachment has also deployed to Saudi Arabia and participated in the Defense of Saudi Arabia and the Liberation of Kuwait Campaign.
The 172nd Chemical Company (SMOKE) was constituted 21 October 1942 in the Army as the 172nd Chemical Smoke Generator Company and activated 26 October 1942 at Camp Edwards, MA. Disbanded 3 August 1945 in Italy it was reconstituted 31 August 1950 and activated 18 September 1950 at Fort Bragg, NC. Reorganized and redesignated 20 October 1953 as the 172nd Chemical Company it was further inactivated 1 April 1956 in England. The 172nd Chemical Company was then activated 1 March 1981 at Fort Carson, CO, and transferred to Fort Riley, KS, June 1996. Its campaign credits include World War II - EAME, Naples-Poggia, Rome-AMO, North Apennines, and PO Vattey.
The 568th Engineer Company (Combat Support Equipment) was originally constituted on 29 April 1943 at Camp Clairborne, LA. The unit has a unique and colorful history that includes service in World War II where it received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Pacific Theater Streamer for participation in the Ryukus Campaign in 1945. The company has also deployed to Somalia in support of Operation Continue Hope. The unit moved to Fort Riley, KS, on 13 October 1994 from Fort Carson, CO. The unit has deployed to Haiti in Operation Uphold Democracy from January 1996 until April 1996.
