History of the Ninety-Eighth Engineer (General Service) Regiment

The Ninety-Eighth Engineer (General Service) Regiment, African American, embarked for North Africa in February 1943 and landed at Algeria. The regiment became nomadic and split up its battalions and companies to work in different locations, including port stewards, road construction, and clearing mines in the Kasserine Pass. All the while, they were moving forward with the combat units until they reached Tunisia.

In December 1943, the Ninety-Eighth loaded aboard amphibious vehicle landing ships and sailed to Naples, Italy. As in North Africa, upon arrival, the regiment was split up and sent to different locations. It began work on the ports, roads, railroads, and reconstruction of buildings, minesweeping, and bridges.

It moved up the coast of Italy, ensuring that the roads and bridges could hold armor and other vehicles as combat units advanced up the boot. Eventually, the regiment reunited in Leghorn, Italy, where it added another battalion and worked in Pisa, Florence, and surrounding areas until September 1945.