In March 1968, the 259th Quartermaster Battalion, a U.S. Army Reserve unit from Pleasant Grove, Utah, was called to active duty in Vietnam. It was one of only 35 Reserve units activated for Vietnam service. This unit was mobilized in May 1968 after being converted from Infantry to Quartermaster on February 12, 1968.  The unit trained at Fort Leonard Wood for four months, then it departed for Vietnam.  HHC, 259th QM Bn was first located at Quang Tri, then moved to Phu Bai in November 1968.

The 259th was assigned to the 26th General Support Group, Da Nang Support Command, 1st Logistical Command.  The battalion was formed from four Army reserve units that mobilized in 1968: HHC, 259th QM Bn; 173rd Petr Co (Oper); 737th Trans Co. (Med Trk); and 842d QM Co (Petr Dep).  The battalion operated 73 miles of 6-inch pipelines; Quang Tri-Dong Ha; Colco Island-Phu Bai; and Colco Island-Quang Tri.   It also operated two bolted steel tank farms with a combined capacity of 390,000 gallons and two packaged product yards.  Line haul by 5,000 gallon tank trucks delivered fuel from the bulk storage areas to using units in the field.

HHC, 259th went to Vietnam with a total strength of 91 personnel.  Shortly after January 1, 1969, the unit was alerted for personnel infusion, and the first members left the 259th in April. Additional unit personnel were transferred out in May and June, the the infusion process stopped in July  The unit was thereafter stabilized, with some members getting early release from Vietnam to return to school or accept seasonal employment.  Unit personnel received one Legion of Merit, 16 Bronze Star Medals, 19 Army Commendation Medals, and 43 Good Conduct Medals.   Upon their return from Vietnam, the members of HHC, 259th were met a Salt Lake City Airport on September 16, 1969 by a welcoming party that included Utah Governor Calvin L. Rampton.  This was followed on September 18, 1969 by a motor parade through Pleasant Grove, Orem, and Provo, Utah.  At a ceremony in Provo awards were presented to individual members of the unit.  The quality of personnel in the 259th was exemplified by the fat that members of the battalion won the 1st Logistical Command’s Soldier of the Month competition three times in a row.  The 259th received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in Vietnam. (Extracted from Twice the Citizen: A History of the USAR, 1908-1983)

The 259th was inactivated in 1995 as part of an Army Reserve downsizing initiative.  It was reactivated as a Pipeline & Terminal Operating Battalion in a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado on October 28th, 2000. The battalion now located in Denver, Colorado, 

Lineage and Honors

Constituted 5 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 259th Quartermaster Battalion.

Redesignated 1 April 1942 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 259th Quartermaster Service Battalion.

Activated 10 July 1942 at Camp Stoneman, California.

Inactivated 17 September 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

Redesignated 5 November 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 259th Quartermaster Battalion, allotted to the Army Reserve, and assigned to the Sixth United States Army.

Activated 15 February 1963 at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Inactivated 1 October 1964 at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Redesignated 24 November 1967 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 259th Quartermaster Battalion.

Activated 10 January 1968 at Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Ordered into active military service 13 May 1968 at Pleasant Grove, Utah; released 13 October 1969 from active military service and reverted to reserve status.

HOME AREA:  Sixth United States Army

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

World War II
Rome-Arno
Southern France
Rhineland 

Vietnam
Counteroffensive, Phase V
Counteroffensive, Phase VI
Tet 69/Counteroffensive
Summer-Fall 1969

DECORATIONS

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969

DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA
(Unit Crest)

Approved: 12 September 1942

Description: Shield and Motto of the Coat of Arms described below.

Symbolism: In the buff and silver of the Quartermaster arm the pick mattock is representative of the service functions of the organization, being one of the tools used in the performance of their duties. The sword is symbolic of the military.  The motto “Labor with Honor” is expressive of the spirit of the organization and their determination to accomplish their end with glory.

SHIELD:  

Description: Buff, a sword, point in chief and pick mattock blade in chief in saltire argent.

Symbolism: In the buff and silver of the Quartermaster arm the pick mattock is representative of the service functions of the organization, being one of the tools used in the performance of their duties. The sword is symbolic of the military.  The motto “Labor with Honor” is expressive of the spirit of the organization and their determination to accomplish their end with glory.

CREST: 

Description: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: On a wreath of the colors of (argent and buff) the Lexington Minute Man proper.  The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor) stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts.

MOTTO: Labor with Honor.