The 88th Brigade Support Battalion is a U.S. Army support battalion stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The Battalion motto is "Muleskinners!". The 88th has deployed overseas to France and Vietnam.
Organization
The 88th BSB is currently inactive. It was assigned to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade until September 15, 2014. Subordinate elements at the time of its inactivation were: 88th Brigade Support Battalion (88th BSB) Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Alpha (Quartermaster) Company Bravo (Maintenance) 41st Transportation Company 337th Signal Company 383rd Movement Control Team (383rd MCT) 546th Support Maintenance Company (546th SMC)
Service history
Activation
The 88th Brigade Support Battalion was constituted in the Organized Reserve as the 19th Engineer Battalion (Heavy Pontoon) (Motorized) located in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1940, the 19th was redesignated as the 88th Engineer Battalion (Heavy Pontoon) (Motorized). The Battalion was activated at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, on June 2, 1941.
World War II
The 88th Engineer Battalion departed Boston on March 24, 1944, arriving in England on 5 April 1944 aboard the MV Santa Paula as shipment 0821-KK. The 88th arrived in Normandy on July 22. The 88th was assigned to Third Army’s 1135th Engineer Group and built pontoon bridges across Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, Alsace, and Germany. The Battalion constructed Class 40 rafts to ferry units across the Rhine River on 22 March 1944 as part of XII Corps. The 88th returned to the United States September 15, 1945, arriving in New York City as shipment R 6604-T. The 88th inactivated on 23 November 1945 in Texas.
Cold War
The Battalion was brought back into service from 9 February 1955 through 15 May 1956 at Fort Carson, Colorado, as a general support Engineer unit. The 88th returned to France from December 1956 to September 1962 to provide Engineer support to NATO until the removal of all foreign troops from French soil.
Viet Nam
The Battalion was reactivated at the Granite City Army Depot, Illinois, as an Engineer Depot Battalion June 1965 and deployed to Vietnam in September under the command of the 1st Logistics Command. The Battalion converted to a Supply and Service Battalion in June 1966 at Pleiku. Later in the war, the Battalion was stationed at Tuy Hòa and Qui Nhơn. The Battalion provided all classes of supply to units in the Northern II Corps Tactical Zone. The Battalion redeployed to Travis Air Force Base, California and inactivated May 11, 1972.
Persian Gulf War
The Battalion reactivated in the summer of 1991 as a provisional Supply and Service Battalion to support the 2nd Area Support Group, 22nd Support Command at King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia and deactivated in February, 1992 in Kuwait City.
War on Terror
On 16 September 2007 the 88th Brigade Support Battalion was activated to support the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Polk, Louisiana. On 15 September 2014, the 88th inactivated for the fifth time.
Campaign streamers
Decorations
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Description: A rectangular shape device pointed at base 3 inches (8.26 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.72 cm) in width overall divided per pale golden yellow and teal blue, a silver gray sword palewise point down with a black hilt, on the hilt and upper portion of the blade is a scarlet fusil; all within a inch (.32 cm) black border. Symbolism: Teal blue and yellow are associated with Branch Immaterial. Yellow/gold is also emblematic of excellence. Blue is for loyalty and red is for valor and sacrifice. The sword represents the power, honor, and wisdom of the warrior and the combat ready support of the unit. The diamond, epitomizing the essence of invincibility and the cutting edge, highlights the hardened bonds of courage, fidelity, and commitment to the Brigade. The two sections of the shield refer to the two missions to protect both the operational and tactical freedom actions of the supported Force. Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 1st Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement) effective 16 September 2007. It was redesignated for the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade on 1 February 2008. (TIOH Drawing Number A-1-931)