ATTENTION
326ers and Patriotic Friends : A Magnificent Limited Edition Vietnam
326 Combat Engineer Battalion Official Military Print has been commissioned.
Click here to view the Ashau Valley Firebase draft print and completed print
orders are now being accepted.
326 Combat Engineer Battalion
101st Airborne Division Unit History
AKA ~ Sapper Eagle
The 326th Engineers were
constituted in the National Army on 23 July 1918 as an element of the 101st
Division. The unit was demobilized on 11 December 1918. It was reconstituted
on 24 June 1921 as the 326th Engineers (Combat), an element of the 101st
Division, in the Organized Reserves and organized in November 1921 at
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
|
The Regiment was divided on 31 March 1942. All Regimental units (less the 2d
Battalion) were allotted to the Army of the United States on 15 August 1942,
were redesignated as the 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion, and were activated
at Camp Clairborne, Louisiana. After extensive training in the United States,
the Battalion deployed to Europe where it participated in the airborne assault
into Normandy. The Battalion also participated in the assault into Holland and
the Screaming Eagles' heroic stand at Bastogne. For its outstanding
accomplishments at Normandy and Bastogne, the Battalion was twice awarded the
Presidential Unit Citation. For its contribution to the success of the
European War, the Battalion was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (with
Palm), the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, and the Belgian Fourragere. The
Battalion was inactivated in Germany on 30 November 1945.
|
|
The 326th Engineer Battalion
was reactivated on 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina From 1956-1965.
The Battalion was garrisoned at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where it supported
the 101st Airborne Division and conducted training to maintain a combat ready
status.
On 6 July 1965, Company A deployed to South Vietnam as part of the 101st
Airborne Division's First Brigade Task Force. On 3 August 1967, the remainder
of the Battalion joined Company A in Vietnam. While in Southeast Asia, the
326th Engineer Battalion continued to support the Division. Most of the
Battalion's effort was directed toward construction in the A Shau Valley and
construction of facilities and roadways to support the Vietnamese incursion
into Laos.
|
In January 1972, the Battalion received orders to stand down and return to
CONUS. Upon its return to Fort Campbell in March 1972, the 173rd Airborne
Engineer Company was redesignated Company C, 326th Engineer Battalion. From
the nucleus, the Battalion was rebuilt and reorganized until it achieved full
strength in August 1973 . D Company was disbanded on 1 March 1987 and the
887th Engineer Company (Light Equipment) was reconstituted and attached to the
Battalion to provide equipment support to the Division.
|
Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the 326th deployed
to Saudi Arabia with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Deploying B
Company on 23 August, the Battalion closed in Saudi Arabia on 18 September.
During OPERATION DESERT SHIELD the Battalion was instrumental in establishing
the Corps Covering Force Area and the construction of the Division Base Camp;
Camp Eagle II. On 24 February 1991 (G-Day), the Battalion assaulted into Iraq
by air and ground establishing FOB's Cobra and Viper, constructing MSRs and
performing counter-mobility operations along the Euphrates River. The
Battalion was involved in every major Division operation during OPERATION
DESERT STORM.
The Battalion redepoyed to Ft. Campbell on 5 April 1991 to resume it's world
wide rapid deployment mission.
 |
 |
Unit Decorations
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) - Streamer embroidered NORMANDY
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) - Streamer embroidered BASTOGNE
French Croix de Guerre with Palm - Streamer embroidered NORMANDY
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm - Streamer embroidered BASTOGNE
Cited in the Order of he Day of the Belian Army for action at Bastogne
Belgian Fourragere 1940
Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belian Army for action in FRANCE-BELGIUM
Netherlands Orange Lanyard
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm - Streamer embroidered VIETNAM
1968-1969
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm - Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971
Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class - Streamer embroidered
VIETNAM 1968-1970
Vietcong Regiment #326 propaganda Reward Card for the death or capture of ARVN
Paratroopers. The 101st might have fought against some of these enemy 326ers
??
The Virtual Wall ~ 326th Eng Bn ~ Personnel Killed in Vietnam
Vietnam KIA, 326th Engineer Battalion
| Last
Name |
First Name |
Division, Battalion, Company |
Metals |
| AUSTIN |
LARRY |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
|
| BACOT |
DOUGLAS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| BARTON |
NORMAN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| BLAIR |
ALAN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| BROWN |
DARIUS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| CALHOUN |
DURL |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| CARDER |
DENZIL |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| CASERIO |
CHARLES |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| CASTILLO |
JOSE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
|
| CHRISTIE |
ZANE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| COGILL |
PETER |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| CONLEY |
MONROE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, HHC |
|
| CRAIG |
DEAN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| DELORA |
PEDRO |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| EDWARDS |
CHARLES |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| ELLIS |
KENNETH |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| FISER |
DIETER |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, HHC |
|
| FISHER |
DENNIS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| FRYE |
JOHN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
|
| GALLOWAY |
DENIS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| GARIBAY |
GUADALUPE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| GATTI |
DENNIS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
|
| GERBER |
MICHAEL |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, HHC |
Purple
Heart |
| GRIEGO |
ELOY |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| HARRISON |
WALTER |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| HAWK |
JESSE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| KEMMERLING |
JOE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| KLETINGER |
HANS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| KOS |
JOHN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| LOVE |
KENNETH |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
|
| LUPAS |
GERALD |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| MEEK |
DONALD |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
|
| MORRILL |
DENNIS |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| OWENBY |
EUGENE |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| RANDOLPH |
CLIFFORD |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
|
| RIDLEY |
GLENN |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, HHC |
|
| RIGSBY |
RANDY |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| ROBERTS |
CLIFFORD |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| ROGERS |
CRAIG |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| SHANKS |
JAMES |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| SHEARIN |
JOSEPH |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| SMITH |
KENNETH |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| SWAIN |
MILTON |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| THOMPSON |
ROBERT |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, B
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| USSERY |
MICHAEL |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, C
CO |
Purple
Heart |
| WILLIAMS |
TIMOTHY |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, HHC |
|
| YIELDING |
LARRY |
101 ABN DIV, 326TH ENG BN, A
CO |
Purple
Heart |
Vietnam Veteran Annual Reunion
It's been 35+ years since I departed Vietnam and I would like to get in touch with some of my former unit members from the 326th Combat Engineer Bn.
If you recognize yourself or anybody in my photographs please email me. For the last eight years I have traveled to the Annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion in Melbourne, Florida,
in hopes to locate former unit members, but to date I have only located about a dozen 326ers and only one that I actually knew from Vietnam. I guess we have all aged some and
look a little different now from the old days. If you have never been to a Vietnam Vet Reunion before, I urge you to attend as its good medicine for your heart and soul.
We all aren't getting any younger and some of our Brothers that survived Vietnam have since passed on after returning home.
I had mixed emotions about attending my first reunion and I am glad that I didn't let those emotions stop me from going.
There's nothing like seeing your old buddies that you served with in Vietnam and honoring those who did not make it.
|
The Melbourne Vietnam Vets Reunion is held every April and the 101st Airborne Division is well represented there along with Vets from all Branches of the US Military traveling from
all over the United States to meet their old Brothers in arms. I will attend the Melbourne reunion this April 24-27, 2008, for the opening ceremonies. I hope to see you all there.
Click here
to obtain further information on this or next year's Melbourne Vietnam Vets Reunion, which is the largest Vet Reunion in the United States. Alot of healing is delivered there where you are among your Brothers who understand.
|
|
~ Why Vietnam Veterans Gather ~
I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the US Army. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life.
They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. I cannot say where we are headed. Ours are not perfect friendships; those are the province of legend and myth. A few of my comrades drift far from me now, sending back only occasional word. I know that one day even these could fall to silence. Some of the men will stay close, a couple perhaps, always at hand. As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my Family and my Comrades.
Author Unknown
|
|