The 201st Engineer Battalion’s lineage dates back to 22 May 1846 and the constitution in the Kentucky Militia of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry and 2nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, the 201st Engineer Battalion is nicknamed the “Kentucky Workhorse Battalion” and, reflecting its home state’s uncertain status during the Civil War, has campaign participation credits from both the Union Army (eight) and the Confederate Army (12).
This unit was eventually designated the 2nd Regiment of Infantry in 1899, and in 1917 it was consolidated with the 3rd Regiment (originally formed in 1882 as the 4th Battalion) to form the 149th Infantry and assigned to the 38th Division. It earned an uninscribed World War I streamer for service with the 38th Division; it also was assigned to the 38th Infantry Division during World War II when it garnered three campaign streamers and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. It received its current designation in 1959, after a four-year period in which the 2nd Battalion, 149th Infantry was designated as the 242nd Tank Battalion.
While the Battalion was not credited with participation in any of the campaigns of Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom, it did earn the prestigious Valorous Unit Award for its service in Afghanistan between May 2008 and January 2009. Among the Battalion’s accomplishments that led to the honor were the clearing of nearly 50,000 kilometers of roadway over the course of some 916 combat missions over a seven-month span during which they came under enemy attack 119 times.
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Commonly called a unit crest, the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the 201st Engineer Battalion employs symbolism that derives from the 242nd Battalion’s ties to the 2nd Battalion, 149th Infantry. Service in the Mexican War is reflected by the inclusion of a cactus and a striking snake, both taken from the flag of Mexico, while action in the Civil War is symbolized by the saltire (X) in the middle. The symbols at the top are from the arms of Brittany and Nantes, two areas where its troops served during World War I. The motto LIBERTATIS CUSTODES translates to “Guardians Of Liberty” in English. The 201s Engineer Battalion unit crest was approved for wear on 6 July 1956.
The 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.