Seeking info: 841st Engineer Aviation Battalion

Hello fellow WWII buffs,
I'm new here but I am a "historian" of the Second World War and a collector of firearms from this period. I am active on a number of other forums.

I'm looking for information on the 841st Engineer Aviation Battalion (Combat). I have searched on Google, but could only find a limited amount of information regarding this unit. From what I understand, the 841st EAB was one of several Engineering Battalions tasked with the construction and, when necessary, the defense of airfields in the Pacific Theater, particularly around New Guinea. It appears that they operated as "lone wolves" and were to rely on their own ingenuity to accomplish their missions.

I recently acquired a Japanese Type 99 rifle that was brought back by a veteran of the 841st EAB. His name and "841 ENG" along with "1943 1946" are stamped into the wood beneath the buttplate.

I am interested in learning as much about the 841st EAB as possible. Everything from casualty figures to its participation in any combat role.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

-Eric

 

Yes I saw which sitesThe 841st ENGINEER BATTALION was constituted 15 July 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 841st Engineer Battalion, Aviation, (Separate) and redesignted 1 August 1942 as the 841st Engineer Aviation Battalion. Activated 1 September 1942 at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia. Departed the San Francisco Port of Embarkation 25 September 1943 and arrived in Australia on 9 October 1943.
Welcome to 841st ENGINEER BATTALION

April 1, 1945, and all facilities were turned over to the Army.
Cape Gloucester

On December 26, 1943, when the 1st Marine Division went ashore at Cape Gloucester, on the northwest tip of New Britain, it was accompanied by the 19th Construction Battalion, whose mission was the building of roads for supplies and access during the assault, and the preparation of beaches and piers for landing craft.


Reconstruction of two enemy airstrips, which were the principal objectives of the attack and from which United States planes could continue raids against Japanese-held Rabaul and Kavieng, was carried out by the 1913th and 841st Army Aviation Engineer Battalions. The strips were captured by the Marines on December 30, and next day the American flag was raised over all Cape Gloucester.

Road construction, with necessary bridges, continued throughout the Seabees' stay. Pulverized volcanic slag produced a surface so hard that, even after continual truck traffic, the tread of a large bulldozer did not cut into the surface.

A new method of "drilling" holes for blasting was developed on this work. A 75-mm armor-piercing shell, fired into a rock ledge by a General Sherman tank, left a hole about 10 inches in diameter and 10 feet deep which could be quickly prepared for a dynamite charge.

Waterfront construction consisted of a rock-fill pile-and-crib finger pier, 130 feet long and 50 feet wide, a 160-foot rock-fill approach jetty for a cargo-ship berth, landing-craft unloading pier,m and a 350-foot seawall of piles and log-facing, backed with large boulders.
The 19th Battalion, the only Seabee group at Cape Gloucester, was attached to the First Marine Division and left with the division in late April for the Russells. During the first weeks, continuous enemy air raids resulted in 5 men of the battalion killed and 24 wounded.
HyperWar: Building the Navy's Bases in World War II [Chapter 26]

the 841st EAB refurbished the former enemy airstrip at Mabalacat, and, just as Clark Field was being captured, the 863d EAB moved in to fill up the craters in the concrete runway made by American bombs. Filipino labor was invaluable here, but many other inhabitants tore at the hearts of the engineers by standing hungrily, apparently not in vain, beside the chow lines.33

Three battalions of aviation engineers, the 836th, 841st and 1876th, were included with the Army, Australian, and later Seabee construction forces. The aviation engineers arrived on 21 September 1944, several days after the initial landing, and found that the surf and sand had already claimed several pieces of heavy equipment.

HyperWar: Army Air Forces in WWII: Volume VII: Services Around the World [Chapter 10]

 

Biak and Spaniard,
Brilliant. Thank you for the links (very useful Air Force database!) and the background information. I appreciate your prompt replies and your greetings.

Biak,
What's the background on your username? As it turns out, an uncle of mine was at Biak Island. During the War, he fought as an infantryman with the 33rd Infantry Division and brought back quite a few photos and mementos from the Pacific Theater.

Thank you, once again.

-Eric

 

If I can get a hold of the album, I will be sure to post the photos. They're in the care of my cousin (the album has been passed down through that side of the family).

Having looked at the photos, I can certainly say that they are honest and tell quite a tale. Perhaps the most gruesome of the photos is one in which several natives pose with the head of a Japanese soldier.

A real eye-opener.

 

I'm currently attached to the 689th Route Clearance Company of the current 841st Engineer Battallion. If you would like, I can give you more information about WW2, and even more that shows over the years up till now.

 

>From what I understand, the 841st EAB was one of several Engineering Battalions tasked with the construction and, when necessary, the defense of airfields in the Pacific Theater, particularly around New Guinea. It appears that they operated as "lone wolves" and were to rely on their own ingenuity to accomplish their missions.

Did members of the 841st receive the CIB?

Robert

 

JW,

> combat arm was cavalry.

Veterans of Bataan and Corregidor received the CIB regardless of MOS, and unit assignment. An individual was assigned to the 19th BG. When the unit's aircraft were destroyed or transferred to Australia, he joined the 26th Cavalry Regiment. He fought as an infantryman.

“Following the 1941 Japanese invasion, the 26th participated in the Allied withdrawal to the Bataan Peninsula. In doing so, the unit conducted a classic delaying action that allowed other, less mobile, units to safely withdraw to the peninsula.[5] The 26th Cavalry Regiment, consisting mostly of Philippine Scouts, was the last U.S. cavalry regiment to engage in horse-mounted warfare. This charge occurred at the town of Morong on 16 January 1942.”

He was captured and held until 1945. Upon repatriation, he was processed, and issued awards and decorations including the CIB. It was justified by War Department Circular 269, dated 27 October 1943. All guidelines during WWII did not require ground combatants to possess the MOS of an infantryman. He was required to serve as an infantryman, and fought the enemy.

It was not until 11 May 1944 the requirement to be assigned to an infantry unit took effect. Even later in the war, the requirement was wavered. I have documents revealing hundreds of veterans awarded the CIB without the MOS of an infantryman and/or unit assignment of infantry. The MOS was not required until the 1960’s. Even during the Vietnam War there were a number of personnel awarded the CIB without the MOS of an infantryman.

Robert