History ofthe 630th Sapper Company
The company was first activated at Camp Maxey, Texas on May 5, 1943. After
a year of training it sailed to England in late August of 1944 where it
was assigned to the U.S. 9th Army. It was sent to France on October 3,
1944, Holland on November 7, 1944, and Germany on March 2, 1945. During
this time it built two fixed bridges over the Meuse River, one on the
Roer River, two on the Rhine River, one on the Wesel River and one on
the Elbe, as well as road construction all over the 9th Army's area. It
returned to the United States in July of 1945, where it served at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky until August of 1950.
After the outbreak of the Korean War, the company sailed to Japan in
August of 1950, then on to Korea, arriving on October 7, 1950, where it
served until inactivated on March 15, 1956. For its service the 630th
Engineer Company earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation and streamer embroidered
KOREA, as well as a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, again
with a streamer embroidered KOREA.
The company was reactivated in June of 1963 at Fort Chafee, Arkansas,
moving to Fort Bliss, Texas in December of 1964. It sailed to Vietnam
in October of 1965. Assigned to the 937th Engineer Group it assisted the
70th Engineer Battalion in developing the base camp and logistical complex
of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) at An Khe as well as working on
the An Khe Airfield. The company also assisted the 299th Engineer Battalion
with base development, highway upgrade and maintenance, and combat support
in the Qui Nhon area prior to July 29, 1966, and then at Pleiku.
The company was relieved from the 937th Engineer Group and assigned
to the 45th Engineer Group in mid-1968. It supported the 14th Engineer
Battalion in constructing helicopter landing facilities for the 1st Cavalry
Division at Fire Support Base Nancy between Hue and Quang Tri. It endured
a North Vietnamese attack there that began with a mortar barrage and ended
with a ground assault in which enemy troops breached the perimeter defenses
and threw hand grenades into American tents and bunkers before being driven
back.
The 630th remained assigned to the 45th Engineer Group until 1971,
assisting several of its battalions, but primarily the 14th. It was inactivated
in Vietnam on August 28, 1971.
The company was reactivated September 16, 1980 in Germany where it
served until it was again inactivated on August 15, 1988.