5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mechanized)
"Fightin' Fifth"
On order, the 5th Engineer Battalion deploys early to a theater of operations, performs combat engineer missions to support a ground maneuver force, and sustains and protects the battalion in order to ensure mission success. 5th Engineer Battalion (CORPS) (MECH) missions include: Deploy by road, rail, sea, and air. Provides engineer command and control to a maneuver force. Conducts mobility operations. Conducts counter-mobility operations. Conducts survivability operations. Conducts limited construction and bridging operations. Sustains the engineer force. Protects the force.
The 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mechanized) traces its lineage back to 1861 and the "Battalion of Engineer Troops," supporting the Army of the Potomac. The battalion was awarded battle streamers for the battles of Peninsula, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Virginia 1863, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Appomatox.
During the Spanish American War, the battalion engaged in bridge and railroad construction in Cuba. Here they earned a battle streamer at Santiago. During the same period, the battalion saw action in the Philippine Insurrection and the Mexican Expedition, for which the battalion earned two more Battle Streamers.
On 21 May 1917, the 5th Engineer Regiment was formed. This date is commemorated as the official Organization Day.
During World War I, the 5th Engineer Regiment was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division. The 5th Engineer Regiment fought in the province of Lorraine and was awarded the Lorraine Battle Streamer.
During World War II, the 5th Engineer Regiment formed several new units including the 1278th Engineer Battalion. The 1278th was redesignated as the 5th Engineer Battalion in January 1945. World War II service included constructing bridges, clearing minefields, and fighting as infantry. During World War II, the battalion received battle streamers for Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, and Central Europe. After the war, the battalion was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington; Camp Kilmer, New Jersey; and Geissen, Germany. The 5th Engineer Battalion finally settled at Fort Leonard Wood in February of 1957.
The reputation the 5th earned placed the battalion high on the troop deployment list for Operation Desert Storm. Notified in August 1990, the battalion readied itself for the 23 October departure to Saudi Arabia. As a member of 36th Engineer Group and 20th Engineer Brigade, the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) supported the 1st Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in the defense of Saudi Arabia.
The battalion retained this affiliation as operations in Southwest Asia evolved into Operation Desert Storm. The unit was task organized with four of its wheeled companies and a mechanized company from the 3rd Engineers, and became Task Force 5th Engineers. The unit engaged in combat during the rapid advance into Iraq as part of the spearhead of 1st Brigade, attacking the Euphrates River Valley, then east towards Basra. During the assault, and continuing after the cease-fire, Task Force 5th Engineers engaged in extensive demolition of enemy bunkers, weaponry and munitions. With victory achieved, the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was one of the few engineer units participating in Desert Storm to receive the Meritorious Unit Citation.
After its return to Fort Leonard Wood, the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) was selected to participate in the Engineer Restructure Initiative. This involved transitioning the battalion from a wheeled to a mechanized unit. This transition was completed in October 1992, and the battalion was redesignated the 5th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Mechanized). In February 1993, the battalion received attachment of all Engineer FORSCOM units on Fort Leonard Wood. These included the 515th Engineer Company (Pipeline), the 902nd Engineer Company (Assault Float Bridge), and the 285th Engineer Detachment (Quarry), which have since deactivated; and the 521st and 562nd Engineer Detachments (Firefighter) are still part of the battalion today.
The 5th Engineer Battalion (C) (M) remains focused on combat readiness. An active training schedule here at Fort Leonard Wood and rotations to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, and other off-post deployments help to maintain a warrior spirit and fighting edge. Since 1993 and the completion of mechanization, the battalion has habitually trained with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
A Company deployed to Bosnia as part of KFOR 3B in late 2001.
