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Army Corps of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the oldest continuously operating branches of the U.S. military establishment and has contributed in a number of ways to the military and civilian progress of the nation. This entry briefly outlines the beginnings of the corps, its current organization, and its continuing role both in domestic and international actions.
Early History
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was founded on June 16, 1775, by order of General George Washington. The recognized founder of the engineers was Louis Le Bègue de Presle du Portail, a French engineer and Continental Army colonel, who headed the branch from 1777 until 1782. It became a separate and independent branch of the U.S. Army on March 16, 1802. The first duty of ...
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