Military unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 96th Engineer Battalion was a military engineer unit in the United States Army. The battalion, which was composed mainly of African-American troops, served during World War II and was also known as the 96th Engineer General Service Regiment.
| 96th Engineer Battalion | |
|---|---|
96th Engineer Battalion distinctive unit insignia | |
| Active | 1941–1946 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| Type | Engineer battalion |
| Motto(s) | "Ecce Signum" (Latin: Behold the Sign) |
| Engagements | |
The 96th Engineer Battalion was activated as the 9th Engineer Battalion (Separate) at Fort Bragg on 1 June 1941. It embarked at New York on 4 March 1942 and arrived in Australia on the north-eastern coast of Queensland, on 9 April 1942.[1]
Troops from US 96th Engineers were stationed at a base on Townsville's western outskirts known as Kelso. This was the site for a large-scale siege lasting eight hours known as the Townsville mutiny, which was sparked by racial taunts and violence. The soldiers took to the machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons and fired into tents where their white American counterparts were drinking, killing one, severely injuring dozens and expending 700 rounds.[2]
After this they were stationed at Port Moresby on 28 April.[1] On 29 July 1942 it was redesignated the 96th Engineer General Service Regiment, and moved to the Philippines on 22 April 1945, where it was inactivated on 15 February 1946.[3]
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