Signal Battalion

The 69th Signal Battalion has a long and varied history
beginning with its activation in 1942, at Camp McCain,
Mississippi. It has seen combat in Europe in World War II
and in 16 campaigns of the Vietnam Conflict. The battalion
has been stationed in Europe three times, CONUS twice, and
in Vietnam. It has had at least 22 commanders, several names,
strength, and organizational changes, and capability in
accomplishing an ever-changing mission.

On 19 July 1944, the unit landed on Utah Beach and joined
the XX Corps of Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s Third
Army, as the Corps Signal Battalion. Throughout the year,
they were forced to fight as infantry, but the battalion
still accomplished its mission of providing the Corps
Headquarters with communication support.

In 1965, the battalion prepared for its operational
commitment in Vietnam, and departed CONUS on board the
USN Upshur, and landed off Tau, Vietnam in November 1965.
The unit was initially tasked with operating all local
communications in the Saigon Long Binh area, including
support for the HQ, U.S. Military Assistance Command,
Vietnam and the HQ, U.S. Army Vietnam.

The battalion was deactivated 11 November 1972, and
reactivated on 1 July 1974, as part of a reorganization
and re-designation of the U.S. Army Communication Command,
Europe. The battalion was re-designated from the 68th
Signal Battalion, who colors were retired. Since that
time, the battalion has continued to provide support to
various organizations in Europe.

On 1 September 1993, the 69th Signal Battalion was
reorganized as a sustaining base Signal Battalion
supporting all of Bavaria. On 17 June 1994, the
battalion’s headquarters was relocated from Nuernburg
to Wuerzburg, Germany. The battalion provides Installation
Signal and Information Management support to the 1st
Infantry Division, 7th Army Training Command, and the
98th and 100th Area Support Groups, composed of six
Base Support Battalions.

From 1996 – 1998, the battalion’s military and civilian
personnel provided direct as well as indirect support to
approximately 33% of the United States Army, Europe.
This constituted over 53,000 military, civilian, and family
members stretched across 20,000 square miles of Central Europe.
The 3rd Infantry Division moved to CONUS and was backfilled
by the 1st Infantry Division during this time, and the
battalion continued to provide the warfighting units with
outstanding automation and telecommunications support.

During the years of 1998 – 2000, the 69th Signal
Battalion deployed both military and civilian personnel
to Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels in support of the complex
USAREUR and V Corps Warfighter Exercises. In addition, the
battalion was again called upon to provide end user data
support during the Balkans Economic Summit in July and
August 1999. This provided the security for the summit
attended by heads of state from over 40 countries.

The significant accomplishments of the 69th Signal
Battalion personnel have demonstrated extraordinary
devotion to duty in keeping with the highest standards
of military service. The 69th Signal Battalion will
continue the proud and distinguished tradition of always
being in a readiness posture in the new millennium.

DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer Embroidered European Theater

1st Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer Embroidered Vietnam 1965-1966

2nd Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer Embroidered Vietnam 1966-1967

3rd Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer Embroidered Vietnam 1968-1969

4th Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer Embroidered Vietnam 1969-1970

5th Meritorious Unit Commendation
STREAMERS

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered EUROPEAN THEATER

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965-1966

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1967

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969-1970

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered TET 69 Counteroffensive-
Summer – Fall 1969

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Consolidation II

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered TET Counteroffensive

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive Phase II

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive Phase III

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive Phase IV

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive Phase V

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Counteroffensive Phase VI

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered Cease-Fire

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered ARDENNES-ALSACE

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered CENTRAL EUROPE

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered RHINELAND

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered NORMANDY

Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Streamer embroidered NORTHERN FRANCE