596th Airborne Engineer Company
 

 On April 15, 1943, C Co, 139th AEB, 17th AB Division, was redesignated as the 596th AEC. Made up of 137 enlisted men & 8 officers, it was commanded by Capt. Robert Dalrymphe. The men were highly trained in construction & destruction and the removal of mines.

As part of the 517th PRCT, the 596th arrived in Italy during May 1944. After a few weeks of combat, the men began preparations for “Operation Dragoon,” the invasion of Southern France.

On August 15, 1944, the 596th jumped in with the 509th PIB & 517th PIR. Once on the ground it rebuilt roads & bridges & cleared mine fields. A major task was helping rebuild & remove mines from the Nice airport. It spent over 90 days supporting the 517th PIR & 460th PFAB.

The 596th fought in the Battle of the Bulge during December 1944 & January 1945. During February 1945 it took part in the push into Germany. The 596th was disbanded on March 1, 1945. The men were assigned to B Co, 129th AEB, 13th AB Division. The 596th suffered 15 men killed in action.