DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Lineage and Honors
79th ENGINEER BATTALION
Constituted 1 July 1940 in the Regular Amy as the 1st Battalion, 79th Engineers
Activated 10 December 1942 at Camp Phillips, Kansas
Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1943 as the 79th Engineer Combat Battalion
Reorganized and redesignated 23 June 1944 as the 79th Engineer Construction Battalion
Inactivated 4 June 1947 in Hawaii
Activated 28 February 1949 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Reorganized and redesignated 1 April 1954 as the 79th Engineer Battalion
Inactivated 15 October 1992 in Germany
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
World War II
Campaigns of the US Army
New Guinea
Luzon
Korean War
Named Campaigns
CCF Intervention
First UN Counteroffensive
CCF Spring Offensive
UN Summer-Fall Offensive
Second Korean Winter
Korea, Summer-Fall 1952
Third Korean Winter
Korea, Summer 1953
DECORATIONS
Meritorious Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1952-1953
Meritorious Unit Commendation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1953-1954
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered INCHON TO HUNGNAM
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1950-1952
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA 1952-1953
Company B additionally entitled to:
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award , Streamer embroidered LIBYA 1967
The Story Behind the Plaque
Article from 79th ECB Association Newsletter 2002:
MEL GETS THE JOB DONE
It started in Branson, when Mel Clifton suggested that the 79th may want to secure a place of honor in the Engineer Hall of Flags at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He not only suggested the project, he volunteered to head it up. When we left Branson Mel needed $2000.00 to accomplish the task.
Mel contacted the folks at Fort Leonard Wood to get the ball rolling. He found that another group was also working toward the same end, headed by Colonel Derrick, who had $400.00 for project.
Members of the 79th were notified of the need and started sending their donations. Then at the Reunion in Minn, more funds were raised through various means and the association gave another $500.00, which put the funds over the top. Mel sent our $1600.00 to FLW and Col. Derrick sent his $400.00.
On the second day of May 2002, the 79th Engineer Construction Battalion was honored by having a flag and plaque installed into the Hall of Flags at Fort Leonard Wood MO.
Battalion Crest
So once again we can say "Fait Accompli" MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
US Army Engineer Museum
I am sure there is a lot more to this story that you will want to hear about and I'm also positive that it will be discussed in detail at the Seventh annual reunion at Colorado Springs, Colorado this fall.
When you see Mel this fall tell him how much you appreciate his effort.
On behalf of this web site and the 79th Engineer Battalion Veterans who view it, I salute Mel Clifton and Colonel Derrick for their hard work, dedication, and leadership in securing this honor so we can all feel a sense of pride that we served our country in the cause of freedom with the 79th Engineer Battalion. - Webmaster
A Final Thought
Colonel Derrick signed this guestbook and this is what he said:
What a great place to find folks that you were with in the Golden Sun Battalion - Ready Every Day - as our LTC (at the time) Milton Hunter used to say in the 1983-4 timeframe!
My best to all you alumni. We just dedicated the 79th plaque in the Ft Leonard Wood, MO. Engr Regimental Hall or Schroeder Hall. If you would like to donate to the fund we are about $200 in the hole of the $2000 it took to have it made. Plaque shows all the campaigns the 79th served in with the Golden Sun very prominent. Go See It!
Colonel Bob Derrick
7855 Ancon Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28304
(910) 867-5776
Colonel Derrick recently sent me his biography, and this web site is honored to publish it. I would like to ask all of the 79th Veterans to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his next assignment.
