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Far East District History

Image of open book

Image of open book

One of the latest field histories to be published is that of the Far East District, located in Korea. The book recounts the history of the district from 1957 to 2018 and its work in Korea, Japan, and elsewhere.

Lakes & Rivers History

History book cover

Another recently published field history is that of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD). The book focuses on the first decade of the division, roughly 1997 to 2007, and its evolution during that time frame. It also touches on the work undertaken by LRD's districts in the fields of civil works, military construction, emergency response, global deployment, and other mission areas.

Mission of the Office of History

Office of History Seal   The mission of the Office of History is to collect, document, interpret, disseminate, and preserve the history and heritage of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We are a staff of six and a separate office of the Headquarters located at the Humphreys Engineer Center on Telegraph Road in Alexandria, Virginia. Our office maintains substantial research and historic artifact collections. The former includes approximately 3000 oral history transcripts and related recordings; more than 50 separate personal paper collections spanning two centuries and including those of Arthur Maass, Gilbert White, Henry Abbot, and David du Bose Gaillard; more than 35,000 historic images in varied formats; and 11,000 books related to USACE history. Our historic artifact collection consists of approximately 7,800 objects and includes examples of Corps flags, equipment, and historic uniforms and headgear. The Office of History accomplishes its mission through research and writing, a field history program, an oral history program, an extensive research collection, and a historic artifact collection.

 

Commemoration

Seventy-five Years Since DOWNFALL: In 1945 Army Engineers were planning for the massive invasion of Japan—a logistical feat that was never completed, as the Atomic Bomb brought WWII to a very different conclusion.

Fifty Years Since Vietnam: See a brief exhibit on Army Engineers in Vietnam with a link
to a large photographic collection of engineer activities during the conflict in Southeast Asia.

Newest Historical Vignettes

Forty years ago the Corps districts in the Pacific Northwest responded with both emergency and long-term solutions to the disasters created by the Eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Seventy-five years ago the Second World War ended in Europe. Army Engineers contributed to the fight that culminated in Victory in Europe Day, 8 May 1945.
 

New history eBooks available

The two latest field histories -- those of the Lakes and River Division and the Far East District (see sidebar at left) -- are now available in eBook formats for Kindle and for Apple devices. Download copies from the Digital Library by following the links below.

Far East District Great Lakes and Ohio River Division

 

Current Exhibit

Army Nuclear Power Program. See the on-line version of an exhibit on the history of the Army Engineers and the Army's nuclear power program, 1954-1976.

Featured Photos - Floating Plant

Army Engineers in the District of Columbia

Army Engineers have a long record of involvement in Washington, D.C., from the city’s founding through today. The Office of History invites you to explore that history through online resources.

Or look back at past D.C.-related articles on: the American Red Cross buildings; the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery; Kennedy's eternal flame; the cherry trees and tidal basin; and the White House.

  • Browse it. Take a look at CEHO’s illustrated brief history of Engineer activities in the nation’s capital. View the brochure online or download it to read later.
     
  • Map it. Check out an interactive map that locates select Engineer projects in the District of Columbia and nearby, with accompanying photos and brief descriptions.
     
  • Read it. Go deeper and read the book-length illustrated manuscript prepared for CEHO by author Pam Scott. Or download the file and read it at your own pace.