The 70th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—frequently called a “unit crest”—was approved on 13 February 1953 for the 70the Engineer Combat Battalion and was redesignated for the 70th Engineer Battalion on 2 September 1960. Today, it is worn by personnel of the 70th Brigade Engineer Battallion. Scarlet fleurs-de-lis and a curved bend on a white background incorporate the branch colors of the Corps of Engineers. The fleurs-de-lis represent the unit’s World War II Europe service, while the curved bend is a symbol of Battalion’s outstanding service in the construction of the Canadian-Alaskan Military Highway. The motto VALEUR-INGENUITE translates as “Valor-Ingenuity” in English.Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.
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Originally constituted as the 2nd Battalion, 35th Engineers on 1 October 1933, the 70th Engineer Battalion did not receive its current numerical designation until after the end of World War II. Under its original designation and the redesignation 145th Engineer Combat Battalion, the unit earned an uninscribed World War II American Theater campaign streamer for its work on the Canadian-Alaskan Military Highway (commonly referred to as ALCAN); it also received an embroidered Meritorious Unit Commendation for its work on constructing this vital roadway. Additionally, it earned five campaign streamers from the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.
During the Vietnam War, the Battalion fought in eleven campaigns and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (for Pleiku Province) and three Meritorious Unit Commendations for its exceptional service between 1965 and 1967. Inactivated from 1969 to 1993, the Battalion would not serve in a combat zone again until the launch of the War on Terrorism. The Battalion is credited with participation in a single War on Terrorism campaign (additional credits yet to be determined) and has been awarded a Valorous Unit Award (for 2003 service) and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its 2007-2008 tour in Afghanistan.
As of Summer 2023, the 70th Brigade Engineer Battalion is active and is stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. It is assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.