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25th Signal Battalion (Const)
505th Signal Group

Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).


Battalion History (1956-19..)

Newspaper articles


 
Battalion History
1956 - 19..
25th Signal Bn (Const) DUI
 
In March 1956, under the command of L. Col. Edwin J. Chatham, the battalion gyroscoped the USNS Geiger to Rhein (Gerszewski) Barracks in Karlsruhe, Germany, to replace the 40th Signal Battalion. The Battalion was attached to the 160th Signal Group.
 
(Source: OPERATION GYROSCOPE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY, EUROPE. Headquarters USAREUR Historical Division, 6 September 1957)
Interchange of the 25th and 40th Signal Battalions

The 25th Signal Battalion (Construction) in the United States was chosen to rotate with the 40th Signal Battalion, Germany, in the first of these smaller unit moves. As was often the case with units in the United States that were earmarked for Gyroscope movements, the time before rotation was insufficient for the completion of normal training schedules.(1) However, the 25th solved the training problem by instituting an on-the-job program to make seasoned linemen, drivers, mechanics, and clerks out of 600 recruits in about 8 weeks. None of these recruits had had any previous Signal Corps training. Bypassing the usual schools because of the early Gyroscope deadline, the battalion offered 4 courses that ran simultaneously for the 8 weeks and consisted almost entirely of practical experience, except for 5 days of classroom work for prospective drivers.(2)

The advance party of this first technical service unit to rotate from the United States to a foreign post left on 10 February 1956. The main body of the battalion arrived in Germany on 9 April, and the 40th Signal Battalion departed the next day. Only 152 dependents sailed with the main increment, and all of these seemed to be satisfied with the usual Gyroscope family benefits.(3)

(1) Cable AHFKC-7-456, First Army to CINCUSAREUR, 25 Oct. 55. In file above, B/P, Vol. III.
(2) The Stars and Stripes (Eur. ed.), 22 Mar 56.
(3) USAREUR Press Release, 9 Apr 55, sub: Six Battalions "Gyroing" in April. In USAREUR PID files.

 
It appears that most of the 25th Signal Battalion (the exception was "C" Company) was inactivated in Germany in 1966. Can anyone provide additional details?
 
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 25th Signal Battalion, please contact me.

 
Newspaper articles
 
 

 
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