The 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a unit crest or just DUI for short, was approved for wear on 18 October 1954. In its center are four red points that stand for the battle honors the Battalion was awarded during World War II; they also simulate the teeth of a saw, which combined with the bayonet below them to denote the Battalion’s Engineering-Combat function. A trio of stripes at the top recalls similar stripes in the Flag of the Territory of Hawaii, site of the unit’s activation. They are also an allusion to the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Citations the Battalion has been awarded. Additionally, the blue stripe is an emblem of service in Korea. The motto of "First In, Last Out" refers to the unit frequently being the first in combat zone but often the last to depart.
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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Nicknamed “Bayonets” for the bayonet that appears on its unit crest, the 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion (previously just 65th Engineer Battalion) was originally constituted on 18 October 1927 as the 65th Engineer Battalion and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division nearly fourteen years later on 26 August 1941. Activated on 1 October 1941 at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, the Battalion was reorganized and redesignated as the 65th Engineer Combat Battalion on 1 January 1944. Serving with the “Tropic Lightning” 25th Infantry Division—an assignment that lasted until 2005—the Battalion took part in four campaigns in World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was awarded a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
During the Korean War, the Battalion fought in all ten of that war’s campaigns, with its exceptional service recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a pair of Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations. In 1954, the unit’s designation was reverted to 65th Engineer Battalion while remaining assigned to the 25th Infantry Division; the Battalion was part of a dozen Vietnam War campaigns and earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Cross of Gallantry with Palm citations, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class. In addition to decorations awarded to the entire Battalion during the above wars, its Companies A through E are individually entitled to a total of an additional six Presidential Unit Citations, five Valorous Unit Awards, and a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
Since the inception of the War on Terrorism, the Battalion has been credited with participation in the Iraqi Sovereignty campaign. And while the Battalion as a whole has not received decorations for service during that period, its Headquarters and Headquarters Company is entitled to two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service in Iraq. As of Summer 2023, the 65th Brigade Engineer Battalion is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and is stationed on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.