activation . . .

This is the story of a Regiment of men well-trained, well-disciplined, and well-led. We who are its members have a great deal of pride in it because the accomp- lishments of the outfit are many. Through the medium of words and pictures we propose to bring back to you memories as well as documentary proof that this pride is justified.

We had a humble start in life, as you remember, way back in Fort Devens, Massachusetts on 1 February 1943. Basic training in engineering subjects was entered into by those early trainees. They had come from the 2nd and 3rd Brigades, from The Engineer Amphibian Command, and from induction centers all over the country in the bitter cold months of February and March. Despite frozen fingers our qualification in arms was amazingly high. Maybe this was the first indication of a spark of life that was to be fanned into a healthy blaze later on.

The lettered companies were up to full strength by 1 April. Some of those first men are no longer with us, but you remember "Cappy" Caplan, "Buddy" Best, Andreson, and Hanks - just to mention a few.

We were known as the 594th Engineer Amphibian Regiment then and our name wasn't to be changed until later on when the Navy objected to landlubbers being called amphibious men. To prepare an Amphibian Engineer for combat was a double assignment for trainee and instructor alike, for this combination soldier-seaman had to have a thorough knowledge of engineering and a well-formed background of seamanship as well as a barrel of intestinal fortitude.  Lt. Col. Vincent Esposito, our first Commanding Officer, wrote Training Memorandum Number 1 on 10 February 1943. With the Company as a basic training unit, instruction was to stress the desire to "attain a high standard of military discipline, bearing, courtesy, and esprit by both officers and enlisted men so as to make each proud to be, and easily recognized as, a member of the 4th Engineer Amphibian Brigade."

We needed specialists in many fields; consequently many officers and men were sent away to various schools to learn more about boat maintenance, shore operations, navigation, mess supervision, and driving. Officer troop schools were conducted for the new officers and for those needing a refresher course. Even at this early date the Regiment was being built on a firm foundation.

A composite Shore Company, made up of an officer and a selected group of men from each Shore Company, got a head start on the rest of the outfit by receiving technical training in amphibious operations at Washburn Island under the worst weather conditions experienced in that neck of the woods for thirty years. These men were the nucleus of the teaching staff which was to function in high gear around 1 April. Having completed Basic Training, it was now time to make our first move.

First E. A. C. Anniversary Review