Monument Details

20th Combat Engineers Plaque

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Details:

On the upper part of the east facing side of the monument.

Plaque

This bronze plaque commemorates the 20th Combat Engineers, which was composed of the 20th and and 1340th Combat Engineer Battalions and the 1171st Combat Engineer Company Headquarters during WWII. They accomplished all of their missions while under heavy fire on their initial landing with the first wave. For this, they recieved the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation and French Croix de Guerre.

Monument Text:

"Even the infantry took it's hat off to them. For not infrequently,

the engineers were actually ahead of the troops."

(Ernie Pyle, Renowned WWII war correspondent)

The 20th and 1340th Combat Engineer BNs and the 1171st

Combat Engineer CP HQ (former 20th Combat Engineer

Regt) Were Among the Battle Experienced Units

Selected for Initial Landing on Omaha Beach. Despite

Casualties from Determined Enemy Resistance During

Execution, all Missions Assigned to the 3 Units Were

Accomplished with Distinction for Outstanding Action

Under Direct and Deadly Fire in the First Wave

Assault on Omaha Beach with the 16th Regt of

The 1st Inf. Div, the 20th Cbt Engr BN was awarded the

Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation and the French

Croix De Guerre with Silver Gilt Star. The 3 Units

Continued to Render Commendable Front Line Service

For the Remainder of World War II

Dedicated to Our Departed Comrades in Arms

- The 20th Combat Engineer Association of WWII

1942 - North Africa to Czechoslovakia - 1945

Commemorates:

Units:

1171st Combat Engineer Company HQ

1340th Engineer Combat Battalion

20th Combat Engineers

Wars:

WWII

Battles:

Normandy Invasion