Vietnam Veteran 554th Engineer Battalion and similar items

ietnam Veteran 554th ENGINEER BATTALION Epoxy Belt Buckle - NEW The U.S. Army 554th Engineer Battalion left Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 1967; in California it boarded a ship for Vietnam. It was based at Cu Chi, Vietnam, from 1967 to 1969 with some elements at Phu Loi. There were also other elements TDY where needed from time to time. The battalion completed their duties but had casualties from two separate sapper attacks at Cu Chi in 1969. Most of 554th later moved to Lai Khe in 1970 where it maintained QL-13 between Lai Khe and An Loc. Some elements of the 554th were based at Firebases along QL-13 also known as Thunder Road. Along with infantry and artillery units, B Company of the 554th Eng's based its operations at Firebase Thunder III, along with elements of other 554th Companies. The Battalion completed their duties but had casualties at Lai Khe, on QL-13 and Firebase Thunder III.[1][2] In late 1970 the entire 554th Engineer Battalion moved out of Lai Khe and moved up QL-20 into the south highlands. Most of the 554th was then based at Camp Smith at Bao Loc, while some elements of the 554th were based at Camp Fennell beyond Bao Loc (Towards Da Lat). However Company C of the 554th was based at Camp Brown at the bottom of the mountain pass about 26 miles from Bao Loc. The battalion maintained QL-20 from Camp Brown to the Camp Fennell area. Additionally the 554th's 10-ton and 5-ton trucks were utilized on supply convoys to Long Binh.[citation needed] The 554th worked to maintain areas of the mountain pass road going to Bao loc. Also a major re-route of QL-20 was done just west of Camp Brown by the river. Company C's EM Platoon worked with dynamite and C4 to blast a section from the base of the mountain. This re-route alleviated re-occurring washouts of the road by the river in the monsoons. Later in 1971 Company C moved out of Camp Brown and built Camp Woodstock at the top of the mountain pass a few miles from Bao Loc. The battalion completed their duties but had some casualties in the QL-20 area in 1970?71. The unit deactivated from Vietnam in 1972.[citation needed] This buckle is made in USA with durable epoxy finish on a brass/ox backing. Buckle is 2 1/2" X 4" and fits any 1 1/2" - 1 3/4" belt.