Itschner Award 1979 - A Company, 12th Engineer Battalion Presidential Unit Citation (Army) HÜRTGEN FOREST Meritorious Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered EUROPEAN THEATER 1944 Luxembourg Croix de Guerre, Streamer embroidered The 12th Combat Engineer Battalion was activated 1 July 1940, at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina as an organic element of the 8th Infantry Division In July 1944 the battalion deployed to the European Theatre, landing at Omaha Beach in support of D-Day.

The usual basic training was given the Battalion while at Ft. Jackson, and it was here that they also received their foretaste of what real combat would be like while they were on Carolina maneuvers in the fall of 1941.

Completion of the maneuvers found the outfit on the way back to Fort Jackson Where they were given more intensive training, and then used to supply the cadre for two new divisions.

This move was accomplished by truck, And by the time the organization reached their destination, it seemed problematical in the minds of many of the men whether they would ever again resume a semblance of straight posture.

The weather remained icy during the whole of their stay at Fort Leonard Wood, and those who returned from the European war claim that even after the fighting on the other side they were last being thawed out from the Paul Bunyan cold.

While at this camp-site, Id Perficiemus — "We Shall Consummate the task"— is the motto that has inspired the 12th Engineer Battalion since it was constituted at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina on July 1, 1940.

In addition, each of the four companies is equipped with a Combat Engineer vehicle which carries a bulldozer blade and a 165 mm demolition gun capable of destroying enemy barricades, and fortified positions.

The 12th Engineers has a platoon of heavy earth moving equipment, including 5-ton dump trucks, rough terrain cranes, and road graders.