Originally organized and Federally recognized in the Mississippi National Guard on 28 May 1934 as Company B, 106th Engineers of the 31st (later 31st Infantry) Division, the 168th Engineer Brigade is now headquartered in Vicksburg as a subordinate unit of the 184th Sustainment Command. In addition to its Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the Brigade comprises the 223rd and 890th Engineer Battalions stationed at the West Point Armory in West Point, Mississippi and the Gulfport Readiness Center in Gulfport respectively.
As an Engineer Combat Battalion, it earned credit for participating in two campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, New Guinea and Southern Philippines; the New Guinea campaign streamer includes the Arrowhead device indicating the Battalion took part in an amphibious assault landing. For its outstanding service in these actions, the Battalion was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
The 168th Engineer Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 18 June 2008, a little over six months after the was redesignated from an Engineer Group to a Brigade. Scarlet and white are traditional colors for Engineer units; the tower represents watchful readiness, key to the Brigade’s mission. It i also an oblique reference to the unit motto, "Monuments to Progress."
Red and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Engineer units. The tower denotes alertness and emphasizes the Brigade’s mission. The red and white background also references the Brigade’s past history as an Engineer Group.
Related Items
168th Engineer Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
168th Engineer Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)