United States Army Corps of Engineers

As taken from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) website, https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/:

Our Mission

The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to deliver vital public and military engineering services; partnering in peace and war to strengthen our nation’s security, energize the economy and reduce risks from disasters.

Introduction and Brief History of the Corps

George Washington appointed the first engineer officers of the Army on June 16, 1775, during the American Revolution, and engineers have served in combat in all subsequent American wars. The Army established the Corps of Engineers as a separate, permanent branch on March 16, 1802, and gave the engineers responsibility for founding and operating the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Since then the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has responded to changing defense requirements and played an integral part in the development of the country. Throughout the 19th century, the Corps built coastal fortifications, surveyed roads and canals, eliminated navigational hazards, explored and mapped the Western frontier, and constructed buildings and monuments in the Nation’s capital.

The history of United States Army Corps of Engineers can be traced back to June 16, 1775, when the Continental Congress organized an army with a chief engineer and two assistants. Colonel Richard Gridley became General George Washington's first chief engineer; however, it was not until 1779 that Congress created a separate Corps of Engineers. Army engineers, including several French officers, were instrumental in some of the hard-fought battles of the Revolutionary War including Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and the final victory at Yorktown.

There is much more to the Corps than you might imagine. It is suggested that you visit https://www.usace.army.mil/.

The three rivers that make up the Port of Pittsburgh are used to carry raw materials, bulk, and manufactured goods for many industries in the region. The Port of Pittsburgh is the 2nd busiest inland port and the 22nd busiest port of any kind in the nation. The water navigation of the rivers is possible due to the expertise and efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Pittsburgh District of the USACE is part of Great Lakes and Ohio River Division.