The 878th Engineer Battalion was organized on 1 January 1968 from existing units in the Georgia Army National Guard, with the lineage of units used to form its Headquarters Company credited seven Civil War campaigns (Confederate service), a World War I streamer without inscription, and four World War II campaigns in the Pacific Theater. It was called into active Federal service at home stations on 1 April 2003 and subsequently released from it on 3 August 2004.
On 1 September 2007, the Battalion was reorganized to comprise the Headquarters Company and Support Company, with the remainder of the Battalion’s organic elements beginning independent lineages from that point forward. The Battalion was called into Federal service a second time in 2013 and assigned to the 555th Engineer Brigade as part of Joint Task Force Triple Nickel. For its service in partnering with the Afghan National Army Engineers to substantially increase the capabilities of the Afghan National Army and facilitate their ability to operate independently, the Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation on 29 May 2014.
As of Autumn 2023, the 878th Engineer Battalion, whose motto is “Building For Freedom,” is headquartered at Augusta, Georgia as part of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard.
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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.
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.