Although the lineage of the 120th Engineer Battalion posted online at the U.S. Army Center of Military History begins with the Battalion’s organization and Federal recognition in the Oklahoma Army National Guard on 1 February 1968, its heritage of military honors includes individual accomplishments of units whose lineage goes back to the 120th Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Division that served in World War II and in the Korean War. As a result, the Battalion as a whole has no campaign credits (though it may be awarded some for its service in the War on Terrorism) and only one unit decoration, a Meritorious Unit commendation for its deployment in Southern Afghanistan from September 2012 to April 2013.
Its Headquarters and Support Companies, however, are credited with seven World War II campaigns—three of them with coveted Arrowhead devices for taking part in an assault landing—and four Korean War campaigns, and the Support Company also took part in all three campaigns of the 1990-1991 Southwest Asia conflict. And the outstanding service of the predecessors of the Battalion’s HQ and Support Companies in World War II and in Korea was also recognized, with both components receiving a French Croix de Guerre with Palm for World War II and two Republic of Korea Presidential Citations; the Support Company also garnered a third Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
As of Summer 2023, the 120th Engineer Battalion remains an Oklahoma Army National Guard unit and is assigned to the 90th Troop Command.
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The 120th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 5 September 1972. The aforementioned World War II campaigns of the HQ and Support Companies’ forebears is symbolized by the two crossed arrows and the fleur-de-lis, while their Korean War service is alluded to by the taeguk in the lower portion of the shield. The embattled partition recalls the Engineer combat mission of the unit, and its eleven sections recall the total number of WWII and Korean War campaigns fought by the forerunners of the HQ and Support Companies. “Never Idle” is a fitting motto for an Engineer unit since its expertise and capabilities are in demand during both peace and war.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.