Invitation to the 2019 Boston Reunion of the 31st Engineer Battalion Association

Official announcement of the 31st Engineer Battalion Association Reunion in Danvers, Massachusetts October 3-6, 2019

The Veterans of the 31st Engineer Battalion Association cordially invite you and yours to gather and rekindle the bond of brotherhood, share stories of our service together and enjoy the attractions and spectacular beauty of Boston, Massachusetts and the surrounding area.

Boston (as in Boston Tea Party), Lexington and Concord (The Shot Heard Around the World) are where the whole American Revolution started in 1775. Come and visit the birthplace of our nation!

This represents a change from our original venue for the 2019 reunion, which was to have been Williamsburg, Virginia. The unexpected passing of our fellow 31st EBN veteran Harley Brinkley, who was heading up the planning for Williamsburg, made it necessary to change to our #2 most popular choice, which was Boston.

LOCATION: Double Tree by Hilton Boston North Shore, 50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, Massachusetts 01823.

AMENITIES: Free parking, free WiFi, 32-inch TV with HBO and on-demand movies, free area shuttle (within a 5-mile radius). Hotel restaurants (Tradewinds & Tradewinds Lounge). Indoor pool, and the Atlantis Sports Club 24 hour fitness center.

AREA ATTRACTIONS: Besides being in the Boston metropolitan area, there are many local attractions close to the hotel.

 The Ferncroft Country Club and 18 hole Golf Course.

 CoCo Key Water Park.

 Alfalfa Farm, a historic farm that mixes New England charm with the best wine making technology.

 Village of Salem, with its history of ghosts, goblins and witches, plus the Peabody Essex Museum.

 The town of Gloucester.

 Boston, Lexington and Concord.

(Trips will be organized to both of these venues). Visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau website www.bostonusa.com for tourist information. 2

ACCOMMODATIONS: A block of 70 rooms are reserved with a cutoff date of Tuesday, 3 September 2019 for individual reservations. You can reserve a King or Double Queen bed for $139.00 plus 11.7% tax. A 15% discount at the Tradewinds inhouse restaurant will be honored for the period 3 October through 6 October (alcoholic beverages not included). Rates are available 3 days prior and 3 days after the Reunion dates.

RSVP: Make room reservations as soon as possible, but not later than 3 September 2019, by calling (800) 222-8733. (Explain that you are with the 31st Engineer Battalion Reunion).

TENTATIVE AGENDA: To be supplied at a later date.

BATTALION WEBSITE: 31stengineerbattalion.com is ready for viewing, get updates on the reunion and past photos and postings. Webmaster – June Robbins, (941) 348-4925 junekeywest@yahoo.com. Please get to know the site and contribute information/photos if you wish.

POINTS OF CONTACT: Wilson (Louis) Brown, Director, (508) 294-5869, wilsonbrown46@yahoo.com ; Warren Dubois, Treasurer, (573) 729-8157, dubois@embarqmail.com.

Charlie Company’s Action in Cambodia Earned Citation For Valor

Submitted by John Lough, in honor of all those Engineers who served and supported the Cambodian mission from headquarters to the front line.
The Cambodian Incursion in May and June 1970 was one of the largest combat operations of the Vietnam War. President Nixon sent 32,000 soldiers, including engineers of the 20th Brigade.
 
engineers-clear-bridge-cambodia-john-lough
Engineers prepare explosives to clear the twisted wreckage of a blown bridge, Cambodia 1970

Twenty six men of Company C 31st Combat Engineer Battalion became the first engineers to reach Cambodian soil on May 5th.  A bridge destroyed by a stunned and retreating enemy kept the 11th Armored Cav. from encircling the enemy sanctuary. After combat assaulting with the 11th ACR into the dense jungle, they were able to clear the mangled bridge away.

engineers-thrust-into-cambodia-j-lough
Army engineers work on a bridge in Cambodia, 1970

The first of a three bridge section assembled in Quan Loi by the 79th Engineer Company was brought in by Sky Crane to be wrestled into position by Charlie Company Engineers.

While the road to Memot was inching its way forward, other engineers including Charlie Company were building their way to Snoul chasing the NVA back toward their headquarters. Then the word was received that “The City” had been found. Company C 31st Engineer Bn and 557th Engineers were dispatched to begin ripping a trail while under enemy fire to “The City” and “Rock Island East” then began removing tons and tons of NVA supplies, destroying what was left.

1970 Cambodia, 31st Engineer Battalion
1970 Cambodia, 31st Engineer Battalion

Many Engineers were killed or wounded during this operation. For their action, Charlie Company 31st Combat Engineers was awarded a Citation for Valor.

Editor’s note:

John Lough served with the 31st Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Army) and was wounded during the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. He is a Purple Heart recipient.

If you served with the 31st Engineer Battalion and have an experience to you’d like to share, please email the editor. Thank you.

Submitted stories are not verified for historical accuracy; they are personal accounts as told by those who experienced them. Comments are welcome.