Description

1879th Engineer Aviation Battalion
Document Summary
South West Pacific Theater • 1943–1945

174 pages scanned

Document Overview
This document is a photographic and pictorial history of the 1879th Engineer Aviation Battalion, compiled from images taken by the Battalion Photographer between May 20, 1944 and October 4, 1945. It chronicles the unit’s construction and engineering operations across New Guinea and the Philippine Islands during World War II.

Unit Overview
The 1879th Engineer Aviation Battalion was activated at Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington in 1943, with additional training conducted at Prineville, Oregon. The unit sailed for the South West Pacific from San Francisco aboard the USS Sea Snipe on January 20, 1944.

The battalion returned home aboard the USS Lowndes, departing November 26, 1945 and arriving in San Francisco on December 13, 1945.

Major Locations & Campaigns
1. Tami River, Dutch New Guinea — April 30 to May 25, 1944
Survey and construction work on the Tami Airstrip, including hardstands and a transport loading area.

2. Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea — May 26 to December 6, 1944
The battalion’s longest assignment. Work performed included:
• Hollandia–Imbi Bay Road (blasting, grading, culverts)
• Hollandia–Pim Road construction
• Jetties No. 1 & 2 and floating docks
• Imbi Bay Causeway
• Waterfront storage areas
• Base “G” GHQ construction (buildings, mess halls, water points, officers quarters)

3. Leyte, Philippine Islands — December 22, 1944 to January 4, 1945
A brief staging stop prior to the Luzon invasion. No photographs from this location are included in the document.

4. Luzon / Highway & Railroad Bridges — January 12 to March 14, 1945
The battalion landed at Lingayen Gulf as part of the Luzon invasion, then moved down the valley repairing highway and railroad bridges. Extensive work was performed at Bigaa and Calumpit on the Sulipan Bridge, including:
• Railroad trestle repair
• Bailey bridge construction
• Damaged truss and piling repair
• First train crossing completed March 12, 1945

5. Manila, Philippine Islands — March 15 to November 22, 1945
Primary mission was the repair and reconstruction of Manila City Hall. Additional projects included:
• Engineer Island Bridge repairs
• GHQ buildings and Map Depot
• Las Pinas Ammo Road Bridge rebuilding
• Female Replacement Center Mess Hall
• AACS buildings and GHQ Section 22 structures

Awards & Decorations
Bronze Star
The following soldiers received the Bronze Star for hazardous duty in the Invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea. Awards were presented by Lt. Col. Clock on August 16, 1945:
• S/Sgt. Pero
• Sgt. Kovacic
• Sgt. Holmes
• Sgt. Kobella

Soldier’s Medal
Norton Miner was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for rescuing infantrymen from drowning in the Tami River.

Notable Personnel

Name Role
Lt. Col. Reed Battalion Commander
Major Hopkins Battalion Executive Officer
Chaplain Hodges Chaplain
Capt. Glickstein Medical Officer / Dentist
Capt. Moise Medical Officer
Lt. Col. Clock Presenting Officer at Awards Ceremony