65th Engineer Battalion (Wheeled) Mission Statement

Our Mission: Deploy, fight, and win; enable the Warrior Brigade through trained engineer, military intelligence, and signal capabilities.

Our Vision: A fit and ready team of teams that extends the operational reach and lethality of the Warrior Brigade while preserving our combat power.

Bayonet Battalion Leaders

CDR Photo.pngBattalion Commander, LTC Joe Owens

Commander Biography

 

CSM LaVander Talley DA Photo.jpgBattalion Command Sergeant Major, CSM LaVander Talley

Command Sergeant Major Biography

 

Welcome to the 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion

The 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion was constituted in the Regular Army on 18 October 1927 as the 65th Engineer Battalion. The Battalion remained inactive until assigned to the 25th Infantry Division as a combat engineer battalion at Schofield Barracks. Hawaii, on 1 October 1941, using the personnel and equipment of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Engineer Regiment of the Hawaiian Division. The 65th Engineers received their baptism by fire during the Japanese attack on Hawaii on 7 December 1941.

In the Pacific Campaigns of World War II and in the Korean War, the 65th Engineers were called on to clear mines and booby traps and to assist combat elements in emplacing friendly - and reducing enemy - obstacles and fortifications. The Battalion also performed missions to improve roads and trails, and built bridges to facilitate the resupply of the front lines and speed the evacuation of casualties. The 65th earned distinction in direct ground combat with the enemy. In World War II, Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie Companies each earned a Presidential Unit Citation for Gallantry on Luzon. In Korea, Alpha Company earned the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for their support to Wolfhounds defending the Pusan Perimeter. Bravo Company earned a PUC fighting alongside the 35th Regimental Combat Team's during their heroic stand at the Nam River. Charlie Company earned a PUC in support of the 25th Infantry Division's tough combat operations near the city of Taegu. The 65th Engineer Battalion participated in all ten campaigns of the Korean Conflict, receiving a Meritorious Unit Commendation and two awards of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

In 1954, after more than 12 years and 800 days in battle, the Battalion finally returned to Schofield Barracks. The first element of the 65th to depart for Vietnam was Charlie Company, which lived up to the Battalion's motto by being "first in," deploying ahead of the 25th Infantry Division to help develop the port at Cam Ranh Bay. The Battalion participated in twelve Vietnam campaigns, receiving a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Civil Action Honor Medal. The Battalion departed Vietnam on 8 December 1970, after nearly three years engaged in combat. Before standing down in 2005 to be reorganized as the Special Troops Battalion for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division, the Battalion was engaged in every major operation our Army undertook, including Uphold Democracy, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

On 16 July 2007, the 65th Engineer Battalion was reactivated, transformed from the 29th Engineer Battalion (Topographic) as a Combat Effects Battalion, and stationed at Schofield Barracks. The reconstituted 65th was initially assigned to the 8th MP Brigade and deployed the 82nd Engineer Support Company and elements of the 70th Engineer Company (Topographic) and the 7th Dive Detachment to Iraq. In June 2008. 65th was reassigned to the 130th Engineer Brigade. In January 2009 the Battalion Headquarters. Forward Support Company, and the 95th Engineer Company (Clearance) deployed to Northern Iraq where they received the attachment of C 84th EN from Alaska and the 511th Engineer Company (Sapper) from Fort Campbell. The Battalion supported two Brigade Combat Teams from the 25th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division North with route and area clearance, combat, and general engineering.

Upon redeployment, the Battalion reconsolidated and included the 7th Dive Detachment. 34th Engineer Company (Sapper), 70th Engineer Company (Topo), 82nd Engineer Support Company, and the 95th Engineer Company (Clearance).

The 65th's Forward Support Company (FSC), Headquarters & Headquarters Company(HHC), and 82nd Engineer Support Company deployed to Afghanistan in October 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where they provided assured mobility support across Regional Command-South, Regional Command-Southwest, and Regional Command-West. During this deployment, the 65th Engineer Battalion also included the 455th, 576th, 849th, and 927th Engineer Companies, as well as the 1438th Multi-Role Bridging Company. Upon returning to Schofield Barracks, the battalion was reassigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division on 16 October 2014.

The 65th has a proud history of service to our nation, and remains one of the most decorated units in the United States Army. Built upon dignity & respect for others, the 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion is combat ready and worldwide deployable. We are a fit, resilient, disciplined, and professional team - ready now to support 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.