Seeking information on the 159th Engineer Combat Battalion that served in Europe and inparticular the Battle of the Budge.

My father was a member of the 159th and was WIA on 21 December 1944 in Echternach. 

The Broad Mountain Chapter of the 159th had copies made of the original book published August 1945 for their 1989 reunion. The chapter has since dissolved since all the their members have passed.

I have a copy of the book I believe you are looking for. I would be more than happy to try to share it with you.

if you could provide to me a direct email address, we can chat further. 

kevin Hinkle, Lt Col, USAF (ret)

[Moderation Note: 

Personal information such as private email addresses cannot be shared publicly on History Hub due to Federal privacy regulations. Unfortunately the current platform does not provide other means for users to share contact information. We hope to add this feature in the future but do not have any definite plans at this time.]

I am in the process of trying to obtain a library copy.  If I can not get a response I will let you know.  My Uncle Neil  KIA  21 Dec., 1944 while a POW.

I was aware of your uncle as he was listed in the 159th book. As I mentioned, I have an experienced historian working the National Archives for any and all documents related to the 159th. As soon as I can get more information, I will pass it along. We will definitely be stopping at the American Cemetery to pay tribute to those who are interred  there.

I would be honored to share a photo of the grave site if you do not already have it along with any 80th anniversary events.

Sir , do you know if the 159th had a distinctive unit insignia or logo type they adopted or made ? 

I reviewed the Book on the 159th Engineer Battalion and no reference to unit arm patch and photos on solders in uniform show no arm patches.  Internet and ebay searches show Vietnam era 159th Eng. Bat.. patch and other Eng. Bat. patches but no 159th.  On line military insignia sites, from what I see so far, do not show 159th arm parch. If I come across anything I will let you know.

Louk

To the best of my knowledge and review of the material I have- no official logo. I do have someone during a bit more extensive research on this in prep for my trip to Luxembourg December 2024.

The best I have found is just the 159th along with the Engineer's Castle.

Thank you sir ! 

Searching Google on the 159th Engineer Combat Battalion brings up several Army Chapters related to the Battle of the Bulge with referencing the Engineer Combat units.  I would recommending looking into that and a book from your local library on the same.  Several references exit in this respect on the WW-II campaigns across Europe.  All interesting and well documented.

There are several excellent books readily available on combat engineers- tracing the route from Normandy, to the Bulge and crossing the Rhine. One or two focus on Patton's 3rd Army.

I am going to try to dig in a bit more with the 4th ID. Records I have found indicate that the 159th was a unit assigned under them. 

Hi Kevin,

Has your historian turned up anything of interest that you can share on the 159th?

My grandfather served in the H/S company.

I have an original copy of William Baltz's book and am looking for more information.

I understand that the Broad Mountain 1989 reprint may have had additional roster information added?

Thanks for anything that you can share.

The amended version of the book does have additional pages to it. Most are members who were missed during the original printing. I do have copies of that but cannot just attach to this file as a PDF.

My historian has been crazy busy with Normandy and the 80th there. I hope to reconnect shortly and provide an update

LouK

I just returned from Luxembourg and Belgium. I visited Neil's grave site and placed a flower there. I do have a photo of his cross along with a few other members of Company B- including the company commander.

We visited Hill 313 and met with town officials in Echternach, Luxembourg. Also visited the historical marker placed in remembrance of the 159th Combat Engineers.

LouK

I just returned from Luxembourg and Belgium. I visited Neil's grave site and placed a flower there. I do have a photo of his cross along with a few other members of Company B- including the company commander.

We visited Hill 313 and met with town officials in Echternach, Luxembourg. Also visited the historical marker placed in remembrance of the 159th Combat Engineers.

Kevin…….Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Glad that you got to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and back home safe.  I have photos of Neal’s grave site that m cousin took when she was there.  Thanks for visiting Neal’s resting place.  His brother Bob fought with the 78th Army Infantry Division the  “Lightening” and earned the Bronze Star and a Purple Heat Medal (WIA).   Bob survived the war and got home safe.  He never talked about it or the medals that he earned. I hope to follow in your foot steps and should that happen you will be notified.

Thanks for the update and sysy safe.

Louk