The 479th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), often referred to as a “unit crest,” was approved for wear on 5 January 1965. Counterchanged white and red are used for the shield portion of the insignia to denote the unit’s status as a Corps of Engineers organization. An embattled bend—the diagonal partition with sides that resemble the top of a castle wall—has been placed across a wavy horizontal division as a symbol of the repair of bridges and roads to ensure the movement of troops in combat.
The black image is a caltrop, a centuries-old area defensive weapon consisting of two more or more sharp metal bars arranged so that one is always pointing up from a firm base. It is used here to emphasize the vital missions of minelaying and minesweeping, both of which are the responsibility of Engineers. “We Fight To Build” is the Battalion motto.
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 (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."
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 479th Engineer Battalion was originally designated as the 1285th Engineer Combat Battalion, constituted on 22 February 1944 in the Army of the United States and activated on 3 April 1944. It served in the European Theater during World War II and was credited with participation in the Central Europe campaign before it returned to the U.S. for inactivation at Camp Bowie, Texas on 29 January 1946.
Redesignated as the 1285th Engineer Construction Battalion and allotted to the Organized Reserve Corps on 15 April 1947, the Battalion would receive its current designation as the 479th Engineer Battalion while inactivated on 22 April 1959. It was subsequently activated on 1 May 1959.
Since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the 479th Engineer Battalion has been called to active service at least three times and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its superior service between 22 October 2007 and 19 June 2008.
Still a part of the Army Reserve, the 479th Engineer Battalion is assigned to the 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command. It’s HQ and HQ Company are located at Fort Drum, New York.