Inactivated along with the 612th Engineer Battalion in a September 2006 ceremony held at Camp Perry in Ohio, the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 512th Engineer Battalion has that roots go back to the organization and Federal recognition of HHD, 22nd Reconnaissance Squadron in the Ohio National Guard on 15 September 1939. The unit would undergo several redesignations over the next three decades, serving as a Cavalry Squadron and several types of Field Artillery Battalions before being converted and redesignated from HQ, HQ and Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 134th Artillery to the 512th Engineer Battalion and being relieved from assignment to the 37th Infantry Division on 15 February 1968.
Nearly two years after that inactivation ceremony, the Department of the Army released Permanent Orders 191-05 awarding the 512th Engineer Battalion a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service between February 2004 and January 2005, when it provided superior engineer combat support through a multi-service engineer task force that included personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
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The 512th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also called a unit crest or a DUI, was approved on 2 April 1971.
A scarlet tower refers to the basic mission of the organization, with the unit’s World War II service as a Cavalry Squadron is recalled by the black horseshoe on a white annulet at base; two lightning flashes denote the organization’s Reconnaissance role. A fleur-de-lis refers to service in the Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns, while the three merlons on the tower allude to battle honors from World War II. In addition, the white annulet with red center also simulate a device from the state flag of Ohio as a reference to the organization’s home state. “Strive For The Best” is the unit motto.Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. More 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.