The 42nd Engineer Company holds an honorable record of service during both the European and Pacific theatres of World War II, as well as distinguished service in both Germany and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The history of the 42nd Engineer Company began on 21 July 1944, when it was constituted in the Army of the United States as the 2813th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company. From Camp Claibo
rne, the Company served in both the European-African-Middle Eastern and Asiatic-Pacific theatres in World War II. The 42nd Engineer Company received two campaign streamers for service in two separate European campaigns: the Rhineland and Central Europe. The Company also received a streamer without inscription for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. The 2813th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company inactivated on 31 May 1946 from the Philippines. On 7 August 1947, the Company redesignated as the 42nd Engineer Dump Truck Company. On 1 September 1947, the Company activated in Germany. Four years later, the 42nd Engineer Dump Truck Company was allotted to the Regular Army. Two years later, the Company inactivated on 20 October 1953 in Germany. Just one year later after its inactivation, the Company redesignated as the 42nd Engineer Company and activated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on 25 October 1954. The Company served six years in the United States before its third inactivation on 1 September 1960. Three years after its third inactivation, the 42nd Engineer Company received assignment to the United States Army Berlin Brigade and activated in Germany on 1 September 1963. The Company served in Berlin for over 30 years. During its final year of service in Berlin, the Company received a streamer embroidered Army Superior Unit Award for its efforts in 1993 and 1994. On 15 May 1994, the Company simultaneously inactivated and was relieved from assignment to the United States Army Berlin Brigade. On 16 February 2010, the 42nd Engineer Company activated in Bamberg, Germany as a Route Clearance Company. They deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February of 2012, returning after 12 months of decorated service. In June of 2013, as part of the closing of USAG Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany, the company cased its colors in preparation to move to Fort Knox, Kentucky. The company officially uncased the colors in November of 2013 under the 19th Engineer Battalion. The 42nd deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel in 2018, returning after 9 months of decorated service. In July of 2020, the unit cased its colors in preparation for the transition from a route clearance company to a Combat Engineer Company - Infantry (CEC-I), a unit to be much more equipped for the light sapper tasks associated with supporting an Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In August of 2021, the unit initiated its movement of personnel and equipment to its new home at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, aligned with the 101st Airborne Division. The unit uncased its colors and was activated fully as the new 42nd CEC-I in October of 2021.
