6TH ENGINEER BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A silver color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a silver oak leaf with two acorns enclosed by an oval black ribbon inscribed "CLAIRS CHNES" at top and "N'OUBLIEZ JAMAIS" at bottom in silver.  

Symbolism
The silver oak leaf and two acorns are taken from the crest of the coat of arms and refer to the capture of Clairs Chnes (White Oaks) Woods in France on 20 October 1918.  The motto on the black oval scroll "Clairs Chnes N'Oubliez Jamais (The Cleared Oaks - Never Forget Them) alludes to this action.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 6th Engineer Regiment on 17 September 1925.  It was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Battalion on 2 April 1940.  It was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Combat Battalion on 18 September 1953.  The insignia was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Battalion on 26 September 1958.  It was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Company on 20 November 1967.  The insignia was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Battalion on 10 June 1987.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Sable an anchor debruised by two oars saltirewise between in fess two increscents all Argent; on a chief of the last a pale wavy Gules bearing a seven pointed mullet Or.

Crest

On a wreath of the colors Argent (White) and Sable within a garland of oak fructed Argent (Silver Gray) a dexter arm embowed Proper grasping an arrow fesswise of the first (Silver Gray).

Motto

CLAIRS CHNES N'OUBLIEZ JAMAIS (The Cleared Oaks - Never Forget Them).

Symbolism

Shield

The two crescents are from the coat of arms of General Scott, who served in the Civil War.  Black was the color of the facings of the Engineers in the Civil War.  The anchor and oars represent the badge of the Engineer and Pontonier Corps of the Army of the Potomac.  The wavy red pale on the upper part of the shield recalls the Marne, which the Regiment bridged, and the seven-pointed star from the cap badge of the Australians recalls their cooperation on the Amiens front.

Crest

The crest is a silver oak wreath to represent the capture of Claris Chnes (The White Oaks) Woods on 20 October 1918.  The arm is from the family crest of Captain C.D. Harris, a hero of that action.

Background
The coat of arms was originally approved for the 6th Engineer Regiment on 6 October 1921.  It was amended to change the translation of the motto on 16 November 1921.  It was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Battalion and amended to correct the history on 1 April 1940.  It was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Combat Battalion on 18 September 1953.  The insignia was redesignated for the 6th Engineer Battalion on 26 September 1958.  It was rescinded on 16 November 1967.  The insignia was reinstated for the 6th Engineer Battalion with the symbolism revised on 10 June 1987.





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