A NEW 150th ENGINEER COMBAT BN

The 150th Engineer Combat Battalion was activated on February 25, 1943, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and inactivated on October 29, 1945 at Camp Shanks, New York. The battalion fought in five campaigns in Europe during World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe) and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions on the Sauer and Our Rivers in Luxembourg and Germany between February 7 and February 13, 1945. After the war, the battalion served briefly in the Organized Reserves at Boston, Massachusetts, between March 22, 1949 and June 30, 1950.

The number 150 was allotted to the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1954 for a transportation battalion, which, in 1980, became a quartermaster battalion, and in 1994 became the headquarters company of a new engineer battalion. The battalion's other companies were organized from new and existing companies in Mississippi. Except from the numbers there was no connection between the new and former engineer battalions.

The 150th QuarterMaster Battalion received over thirteen Superior Unit Awards for being one of the best units in the Mississippi National Guard. During Desert Storm, several units of this battalion were sent to the Persian Gulf and served with great pride. Many of the soldiers and all of the units were decorated for valor and heroism.

In the spring of 1994, I (Bob Pearl) was revisiting Mississippi where I had worked for several years. In Natchez, in the newspaper, on Feb. 25, 1994 was an article on the death of Myles B. Smith, 84 and a member of the 150th Engineer Combat Battalion, scheduling the funeral for the 26th at 10 AM in St. Joseph, La.. I attended the funeral in St. Joseph.

Three days later, in Meridian, I read in the paper an article that was titled Pentagon lists Reserve. It stated: The Pentagon on Monday released a list of Reserve and National Guard units that will be cut or closed as a result of 1994 budget cuts. Although many units are to be closed, several will join existing or new, larger units. Under a column entitled, INACTIVATED Army National Guard was a statement; 150th QuarterMaster Battalion, Meridian, Strength:58 Will become 150th Combat Engineer Battalion (see below).

After I returned to Cape Cod, Ma., I called the Reserve in Jackson Ms. and informed them about our outfit and if they were interested about us, we could begin a friendly relation. In the summer the new 150th called me and were sent the history of the old 150th.

With the help of U.S. Congressman G. V. Montgomery, the two Engineer Battalions became friends and the new 150th received a new Lineage and Honors Certificate, attesting to the assignment of the honors of the old 150th as a "challenge and trust".

Robert Pearl

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PENTAGON LISTS RESERVES

The Pentagon on Monday released a list of Reserve and National Guard units that will be cut or closed as a result of 1994 budget cuts. Although many units are to be closed, several will join existing or new, larger units.

INACTIVATED Army National Guard

Pentagon report says 257 positions lost.

National Guard says too early to determine numbers

* 4th Battalion, 114th Field Artillery, Newton. Strength: 107 positions. Will become 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery.
* 786th Transportation Company, Lucedale. Strength: 91. Will become 150th Combat Engineer Battalion.
* 786th Transportation Company, Quitman. Strength: 85. Will become 150th Combat Engineer Battalion.
* 785th Engineer Detachment, Richton. Strength: 56. Future uncertain.
* 623rd Service Company, Collins. Strength: 96. Future uncertain.
* 150th Quartermaster Battalion Meridian. Strength: 58. Will become 150th Combat Engineer Battalion.