WWII
After the start of WWII US military planners scrambled to get a force in the field to defeat the Axis Powers. In addition to combat ground troops, heavy emphasis was placed on US Army Air Corps requirements - air power was needed to break the enemy's tenacious grip around the world. Forward airfield construction would be a high priority item when the air forces were deployed overseas.
Among the numerous units activated after Pearl Harbor was the 815th Engineer Aviation Battalion. Charged with the primary mission of airfield construction and maintenance, the 815th was activated at Jackson Army Air Base, Mississippi on 21Jan1942. After filling initial manpower and training requirements it moved to New York, departing for England on 3Jun1942, arriving on 9Jun1942. After more training, and possibly some construction activity in support of the 8th Air force build up in England, the 815th departed England and arrived in North Africa on 8Nov1942 in support of the US landings there. This was the US Army's baptism of fire against Axis and Vichy French troops.
The 815th landed at Oran as part of Operation Torch's center invasion force and performed airfield repair and construction tasks.
The 815th Engineer Aviation Battalion would go on to particpate in seven African and European military campaigns:
Algeria Nov 1942
Tunisia Nov 1942 - May 1943
Sicily July 1943 - Aug 1943
Naples-Fogia Sep 1943 - Jan 1944
Anzio Jan 1944 - May 1944
Rome-Arno Jan 1944 - Sep 1944
Northern Appenines Sep 1944 - Apr 1945 (northern Italy)
At the end of hostilities in Europe the 815th departed Italy for the US on 25May1945, destined for Geiger Army Air Field, Washington. With the surrender of the Japanese in Sep1945 the 815th was deactivated at Geiger Field on 22Sep1945.
**Because of the 815th's location on the Pacific coast at the time of its deactivation it may be correct to assume it had been earmarked for the invasion of Japan. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb attacks and subsequent formal surrender of Japanese forces negated the need for a military invasion of the Japanese home islands.
The above dates are from Shelby Stanton's Order of Battle - US Army World War II.
rdb 12/09/01
The 50's I joined the 826th Avn Eng. in Feb. of 1955. During the summer it was deactivated and we became the 815th Avn Eng. In June of 1956 the unit reverted to Army control and we became the 815th Engineers (Heavy Const). During this time period Aviation Engineers took care of Dew Line bases. I joined the unit after they returned so never got to leave Texas. There were three battalions at Wolters Air Force Base Texas and I believe three battalions at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
Sure would like to hook up with some of the old members of the unit.
Bill Russell
Theresa, NY
01/28/02
I found a web message thread from William J. Smith wanting to hook up with old buddies from the 815th Engineer Battalion when it was at Ft Bliss, TX in 1957-1958.
rdb 12/09/01
Vietnam
The 815th Engineer Battalion ( Construction) was activated at Ft Belvoir, Virginia in 1 Feb 1966. In August of that same year the battalion had sufficient strength to commence Basic Unit Training. Despite such factors as the unit having many personnel who were newly trained recruits, and supervisory personnel in great shortage, the Battalion was able to train with the available equipment at hand.. December saw the unit in two important training exercises: One to Camp A. P. Hill for qualification on the 3.5" rocket launcher, M-60 machinegun and requalification on the M-14 rifle. The next FTX was held at a Boy Scout Camp near Goshen, VA where Advanced Training Tests on construction facilities were held. Principle among these were the building of roads and various buildings. At the end of December 1966 the Battalion was quite familiar with its mission and was considered ready for deployment, despite the fact that all equipment had not been fully delivered.
The first two months of 1967 saw the unit still in readiness for deployment overseas. Equipment was packed, personnel given leave, personnel affairs were completed, and other last minute affairs were handled expediously. On 23 March 1967 the Battalion boarded aircraft for California, and the planned rendevous with the USNS General Walker, for continued transport to Vietnam. An Advanced Party departed Ft Belvoir 24 March via air, arriving in Pleiku, RVN three days later, and began establishing supply and operations channels with the 937th Engineer Group (Combat), the Battalion's parent unit. Main enforcements of the 815th Engineer Battalion arrived at port 15 April and was convoyed to Engineer Hill (Pleiku) as rapidly as the ship could disembark its stored equipment, and load it upon awaiting vehicles. With the arrival of May 1967 the 815th was established in its Engineer Hill home, engaged in the primary mission of support and construction projects, as designated by the 937th Group's directions.
The above is from the 815th Engineer Battalion handout pamphlet.
rdb 12/18/2001
From Shelby Stanton's "Vietnam Order Of Battle":
815th Engineer Battalion (Construction)
Arrived Vietnam:15 April 1967
Departed Vietnam: 30 January 1972
Previous Duty Station: Ft Belvoir, VA
Authorized Strength 1966 1968
Battalion 624 899
The 815th Engineer Battalion was capable of the same type of assignments as the 34th Engineer Battalion ((performing basic heavy construction tasks including construction of bases, structures, roads, airfields, bridges and piplines, paving operations and construction of major facilities)). Originally part of the 937th Engineer Group stationed at Camp Hollway and Pleiku, the battalion moved to the 35th Engineer Group at Bao Loc on 1 June 1970. It came under the command of the 159th Engineer Group just prior to its departure from Vietnam, and its assets were phased into Dillard Industries during 1971.
rdb12/18/01
Of the 28 seperate Engineer Battalions to serve in Vietnam the 815th was the 19th to arrive in country, on April 15, 1967, and the 20th to depart Vietnam on Jan 30, 1972
The 102nd Engr Co's service time in Vietnam is the longest of any Engineer Company - Aug 30, 1965 to Apr 16, 1972.
The shortest tour of duty for any seperate Engineer Battalion in Vietnam was that of the 116th Engineer Battalion (Combat), an Idaho National Guard unit posted at Bao Loc as part of the 35th Engineer Group: Sept 14, 1968 to Aug 21, 1969.
rdb 12/28/01
Commanding Officers
815th Engineer Battalion
(Construction)
LTC Charles A Melton 24 March 1967 - 8 December 1967
LTC Amos S Albro, Jr. 9 December 1967 - 16 June 1968
LTC Donald A Gabe 19 June 1968 - 14 August 1968
LTC Charles A Debelius 18 December 1968 - 11 August 1969
LTC James C Donovan 11 August 1969 - 15 April 1970
LTC Charlie L Blalock 15 April 1970 - 11 October 1970
LTC George Whithers* October 1970 - ?
LTC Tommy L Everhart** ? 1971 - ?
LTC Donovan assumed command of the 937th Engr Gp in May 1970 after the death of COL Carroll E. Adams Jr on 15 April 1970. COL Adams died when the helicopter he was flying in was shot down near Pleiku. Also lost in the crash were MG John A. B. Dillard, the USARV Engineer and senior Army engineer inVietnam; LTC Fred V. Cole, CO 20th Engr Bn; CAPT William D. Booth, Aide-de-Camp; CSM Grifth A. Jones, USARV Engineer Command; and 5 others. CSM Robert W Elkey was the sole survivor.
Dillard Industrial Complex, located on QL20 near Phu Hiep, between Dalat and Di Linh, was named in honor of MG Dillard. (Work was already underway on Dillard before his death. Does anyone know what the original name was?
The above from: Vietnam Studies US Army Engineers 1965-1970
by MG Robert R. Ploger 1974,
except (*) from Larry Saul ; (**) from Randy Kinard
Who commanded from 14 August 1968 to 18 December 1968???
rdb 12/30/01
