In May 1965, the 864th Engineer Battalion was shipped to Cam Rahn Bay, Republic of Vietnam. The battalion was the first U.S. engineer battalion-size unit in Vietnam and responsible for port transportation and support facilities construction. As more engineer battalions were assigned to Vietnam, the unit was assigned missions of base camp construction and line of communication construction and maintenance.
In 1968 the Viet Cong attacked and destroyed the Song Cai bridge three seperate times. Each time the 864th rebuilt the bridge stronger and better and within a short duration.
For its outstanding efforts, the battalion was awarded the distinctive designation "Pacemakers" by the Secretary of the Army in September 1968.
One of the first units to arrive in Vietnam, this soldier wears the early pattern fatigue uniform, including a sun helmet. |
