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56th Signal Battalion

The 56th Signal Battalion mission is to install, operate, maintain and manage defense communications, sustaining base communications and information mission services in support of U.S. Southern Command, its service components and other governmental agencies in theater. 56th Signal Battalion is unique within the Signal Corps. As a non-standard battalion, comprised of strategic and tactical elements, there is a special quality firmly imbedded in its structure.

It is comprised of a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), the 94th Signal Company, and the 252nd Signal Company. The battalion's mission is diverse with a focus on the broad spectrum of modern commercial and tactical communications. Communications activities include a strategic mission on Fort Buchanan and other installations in the surrounding area. The strategic mission is accomplished by the 94th Signal Company. The 56th also has a tactical arm that virtually reaches throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The 252nd Signal company has the responsibility of providing tactical communications throughout the area of operations, which include all of Central and South America as well as the Caribbean Islands.

Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 56th Signal Battalion, was first constituted on 18 October 1927 and allotted to the 4th U.S. Corps Area.

On 1 February 1941, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the battalion was reactivated and spent the next seventeen months training in the United States. In accordance with signal doctrine of that time, units such as the 56th Signal Battalion were assigned the mission of providing communications for U.S. Army corps headquarters.

On 1 July 1942, the battalion embarked from New York aboard the transport ship "Argentina" en route to Northern Ireland. The battalion initially landed in Scotland on 12 July 1942 and remained there until 14 July 1942. From 15 July until 20 November 1944, the unit spent the next four months training in Northern Ireland.

The 56th Signal Battalion arrived in England on 24 November 1942 and remained there for over eighteen months until 5 June 1944. While there, the battalion underwent additional training with the British Army Royal-School-of-Signals. This training assisted the battalion in establishing solid communications between American and British forces as they prepare to battle their way across Europe.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, assigned to Fifth U.S. Corps, the battalion participated in initial amphibious landings on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. During this period from 6 June 1944 through 8 May 1945, the 56th Signal Battalion supported combat operations in: France (from 6 June - 6 September 1944,) Belgium (from 9-11 September 1944,) Luxembourg (from 15-23 September 1944,) Belgium (from 4 October 1944 - 26 February 1945,) Germany (from 8 March - 7 May 1945,) and Czechoslovakia (from 8 May until Victory in Europe Day 1945.) The 56th Signal Battalion was awarded battle streamers in recognition of participation in combat operations during the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns. The battalion was also awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for notable World War II service. On 24 February 1946, subsequent to the close of the war, after more than forty-three months in Europe, the battalion departed from LeHarve, France en route to New York City, aboard the ships "Elizabeth B. Stanton" and "Rockhill Victory." And on 8 March 1946, at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, the battalion was deactivated for the second time.

The more recent history of the battalion emerges on 20 September 1988, at Corozal, in the Republic of Panama with the reorganization of U.S. Army Information Systems Command South into the 1109th Signal Brigade and the 1190th Signal Battalion (Provisional.) This reorganization was necessary in order to facilitate a more streamlined command, control, and communications architecture needed to support United States Southern Command. During this period, the country of Panama was under the stranglehold of a military dictator, General Manuel Noriega. Operation JUST CAUSE, a joint military U.S. operation, was conducted in Panama from 20 December 1989 through 31 January 1990. JUST CAUSE removed General Noriega from power and returned order and democracy to Panama. The 1109th Signal Brigade and the 1190th Signal Battalion were awarded "Panama" battle streamers for their roles in supporting this campaign.

On 16 October 1991, the 1109th Signal Brigade was redesignated as the 106th Signal Brigade, and the 1190th Signal Battalion (Provisional) as the 56th Signal Battalion. From there, in Corozal, Panama, the 56th Signal Battalion provided vital strategic and sustaining base communications to organizations and installations of the United States Southern Command.

From September 1994 to March 1995, the 56th Signal Battalion provided superb strategic and sustaining base communications in support of Operation Safe Haven and Safe Passage. Safe Haven provided temporary refuge for more than 8,000 Cuban migrants from Castro's dictatorship. At the conclusion of Safe Haven, 7,000 of the Cuban migrants were provided "Safe Passage" back to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where they hoped to obtain visas to the United States.

On 20 June 1997, the 106th Signal Brigade inactivated leaving in place only the 56th Signal Battalion. Two weeks prior to this date, the 154th Signal Battalion inactivated leaving one company to join the ranks of the 56th. This made the 56th Signal Battalion the most unique signal battalion in the Army; one comprised of both tactical and strategic companies. The battalion was responsible for maintaining tactical communications in support of the United States Army South, Joint Task Forces-Panama, and other subordinate task forces.

In 1999, the battalion relocated from Corozal, Panama to Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico as part of the United States Army South relocation. On 18 June 1999, the battalion furled its colors in Panama and on 24 June 1999 it unfurled its colors during the battalion change of command. The battalion's mission is to provide high-quality long haul and BASOPS support. The battalion continues to provide unparalleled support while adjusting to its new home and work environment.