The 20th Engineer Brigade’s organizational flash and background trimming (oval) insignias were first worn on 17 September 1987 and were officially approved for wear precisely three years later on 17 September 1990.
A subordinate command of the XVIII Airborne Corps since 1974, the 20th Engineer Brigade’s lineage stretches back to December 1861 when it was organized as the Battalion of Engineers from new and existing Companies of Engineers. In the nearly 160 years since that time, the Brigade has been “Building Combat Power” as it acquired numerous battle honors from the Civil War, War with Spain, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition, World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf War.
Since the launch of the War on Terrorism, the Brigade’s official campaign credits are limited to the Iraqi Governance campaign of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but the final number is yet to be determined. It was awarded its first Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for service in Iraq between 2004-2005, and in 2009 the superior performance of its Headquarters and Headquarters Company in support of counterinsurgency operations in 2007-2008 warranted its selection for a second MUC.
In 2013, it was tapped for its third MUC, this one for its service in 2011 while serving as the Theater Engineer Brigade for United States Forces-Iraq, a year-long mission that required more than 1200 route-clearance patrols while also maintaining 19 bridges constructed by the military across the Iraq Joint Operation Area and managing over 150 construction projects. That same year, a Detachment from the Brigade was selected for a Valorous Unit Award for its extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy.
As of Summer 2023, the 20th Engineer Brigade and its HQ and HQ Company--which carries the official special designation "Castle"— remains stationed at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg).
Related Items
20th Engineer Brigade Unit Patch (SSI)
20th Engineer Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
20th Engineer Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)
20th Engineer Brigade CSIB with AIRBORNE Tab