Cold War

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The 23d Engineers During the Cold War


The 23rd Armored Engineer Battalion was reactivated on 15 July 1947 as part of the 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

When the concept of Gyroscope became a reality, the 3rd Armored Division was named to take part in the program and the battalion was reorganized under TOE 5-215, Armored Engineer Battalion.

LTC Edwin G. Moran took command on 12 July 1955 and by December there were 47 officers and warrant officers with 1105 enlisted men of all grades.

The 23rd shipped to Europe for the third time, in an advanced element and three increments, beginning in April 1956.  HHC and the bridge company left New York on 13 May 1956 for Hanau, Germany.  A and B companies followed on 31 May, C Company on 16 June and D Company on 18 June.

A note from a former Sapper:

Upon reactivation on 15 July 1947 the Division was comprised of four Commands – Combat Command A, Combat Command B, Reserve Command and
Division Artillery. They were responsible for the supervision of the basic training units and the specialist school. The units of the various
commands gave training of both 8 and 16 weeks duration. Not overlooking the fact that men without leaders are useless, the Division in 1948
began a Leadership School. The Leaders’ Course was operated by the 23d Armored Engineer Battalion, outstanding trainees from each basic course
were admitted to this intensive eight weeks of special training. These men were given the opportunity to learn the principles of leadership and
command. From 1948 to 1955 the Division sent fighting men of the highest calibre to the battlefields of Korea. I was a proud member of the Leaders’ Course graduating in June 1953. I still have as one of my cherished mementos a lighter which I received upon graduation: “Member – Best Tank Crew – Leaders’ Course.”

Robert M. Baker (Corporal)
RA52240999

A note from a former Medical Platoon Sergeant:

My name is Daniel R. Fox. I was the medical section platoon sergeant of the 23rd Engineer Battalion from 1986 to 1989. I was surprised
to see that there is no mention of the medical platoon anywhere on your site. While I was there we had one of the best medical sections in the
Division. We had more soldiers receive the EFMB than any other med platoon in the division. In my first year there we had 61% of our medics receive the
Expert Field Medical Badge (including myself) which is virtually unheard of. Our medics had a reputation of being the first to cross the 12 mile force
road march, we were the ones to beat. There was no Physician Assistant (PA) assigned to the medical platoon of the battalion and because of this I was
allowed to give profiles in the field, etc. I was a SSG while there. The medics of the 23rd had a reputation as being the standard setters for much
of the other medical sections of the 3rd Armored Division. I have some pictures and many interesting stories and information about those
outstanding soldiers, several of whom are probably still active and great leaders themselves.  They were a very tight-knit group of soldiers and I
don’t know of anyone who was there at the time that would say anything other than that. Names like SPC Sean Minjares, SPC Frank Ortega, SPC Robert
Thompson, PFC Sean Simpson, SPC Kenneth Cummings, SGT James Carr, and others worked for me while there and I have info on all of them. The HHC commander
when I was there was Joseph Galkowski whom we called “PT Joe” because he was hell on HHC physical fitness. I had an absolutely fantastic time as the
medical platoon sergeant in the 23rd because I was with some of the best soldiers I have known in my career. 

Daniel R. Fox

The 23rd remained at Hessen Homburg until January 1992, when they relocated to Friedberg.

Spearhead Sappers at Hessen Homburg Kaserne, Hanau, Germany (1956 to 1992)

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Pictures below provided by Glenn Christian, Company D, 23d En Bn
(circa Winter 1967)
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Barracks life at Hessen Homburg.  Motor stables in the snow. 

Field training in the snow!  The track line behind Hessen Homburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This was on Lomboy a block down from Hessen-Homberg kasserne, on the right, directly across from the Francois gate. It changed owners before I left in late 77, but remained Olivers. It was a very special place at one time. Oliver kept out all trouble, to include drugs, hookers, anything that might hurt the atmosphere he had created.   He was one of those people who saw and understood everything around him, and he knew we missed home and got drunk and made trouble when it got to us.  He made it a home for many.  This picture would bring more of a response from your sites readers than a picture of Lomboy Annie herself.  I have others I will soon uncover here. Please send me any you might have.  Thank you.

 

Photos provided by Tony Rice

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Hohenfels CMTC rotation, 1990 (C. Markham)

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Pictures below provided by Henry Wheat, Company A, 23d En Bn

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23AEB training on new floating bridge at campo pond-March 1957                                        

3AD Division Parade Fort Knox-October 1955- 23rd AEB passing reviewing stand

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FT Knox – Duke Snider A Co 23rd AEB on same bridge across Salt River                                                           

FT Knox – October 1955 – crane from Bridge Co 23rd AEB unloading tredway at Salt River

Pictures below provided by Henry Wheat, Company A, 23d En Bn

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General Simon B. Buckner (T-AP123)   A CO 23rd AEB left on this ship from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, NY on May 31, 1956 and arrived at Bremerhaven, FRG 10 days later

 

Pictures below provided by Henry Wheat, Company A, 23d En Bn

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Ft Knox – August 1955 – Al Kapral(NJ) and Hank Wheat(NJ) left to right     Ft Knox – October 1955 – Al Braun and Bill Bossert A Co 23rd AEB on M-14 Tredway Bridge across Salt River near Lebanon Junction, Ky

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Harding, A-10’s driver – 1957

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 Ferry across Main River – 1956                                                                                                                               

Park in Hanau-1956

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  Leaving for home – May 1957 – GI in fatigues is Cedric Yates a member of the A3ADV                                                           George Schmidt and A-11 near Fulda-1957

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 3AD Parade Campo Pond, Hanau – Spring 1957              

3AD parade at Campo Pond, Hanau – in honor of Gen Lauris Norstad USAF