Memorial dedicated to 458th Engineers at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – During the Persian Gulf War, U.S. Army Reserve 458th Engineer Battalion engineers developed sanitary water filtration systems for frontline troops in Iraq.

In 2024, members of its 665 Engineer Utilities Detachment spent 10 months backing special operations, building barriers to protect remote Middle East bases, 458th Batalion Commander Trevor Needham said.

Over its 66 years here, the Johnstown-based battalion has often served its country by serving Johnstown, 458th alumni said.

They’ve helped build parks, playgrounds and dished out 500 meals a day to struggling Tanneryville patrons in the aftermath of the 1977 Johnstown Flood, retired Sgt. Maj. Robert Symon recalled.

Even though the Goucher Street-based 458th Engineers now have reserve centers across Pennsylvania – as far away as Butler and Harrisburg – there was no better place than Johnstown to salute the battalion’s past and present or service and sacrifices, members said Saturday.

A crowd of approximately 60 people, including current and former 4548th Engineers, gathered at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy Saturday to dedicate a black granite memorial in the Army Reserve battalion’s honor.

“Never so much by so few,” said retired Col. Samuel Contacos, paraphrasing Winston Churchill’s historic words to summarize generations of work by the small battalion at home and abroad.

‘Perfect place’

The 458th Engineer Battalion’s roots date back to 1943, first being activated as the Texas-based 1252nd Engineer Combat Battalion to serve in the European theater of World War II.

In 1959, the unit moved to Johnstown.

Plans for a memorial were in the works for years, said retired Sgt. First Class Joe Siwy.

He said he first envisioned the memorial at Central Park until he toured Sandyvale.

Its trail now features several military memorials – and plans have been discussed about relocating a few of Central Park’s monuments. Sandyvale is anchored by trees planted for each of the nation’s armed conflicts – and more importantly, the space and serenity to reflect on them, Siwy said.

With a gesture to the sky, he pointed out the picturesque park that serves as the flight path for a bald eagle that nests above Menoher Boulevard.

“It’s a perfect setting,” the Johnstown area veteran said. “This is what our veterans deserve.”

‘Heart of this battalion’

Fellow 458th members also observed the fitting setting for their monument, which was created by battalion alumni through a multi-year fund drive under the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Siwy said.

Needham reminded attendees that the 458th Engineers have long been called the “Anvil Battalion” – and for good reason.

For generations, many of them have forged their military careers in a valley with a rich iron and steel history, he said.

“Now, part of their permanent home is here in Johnstown as well,” Needham said of the memorial.

At 94 years old, Symon was the oldest living alumni to attend.

Sitting near the memorial Saturday, he recalled reservists who answered the call over three straight months of flood recovery efforts in Johnstown.

For weeks, meals were airlifted by helicopter to Tanneryville because the horrific torrent gutted access into the community.

Symon was joined at the event by retired Col. Sam Contacos, a Johnstown native and longtime Coney Island owner who became the 458th battalion’s commander in the 1960s.

Contacos remembered a platoon commander telling him “remember your background” as a young officer.

Those words still resonate today, he said, as he thinks about the work the 458th Engineers performed in Johnstown – and the men who served him.

“They never let me down,” Contacos said.

Over 66 years in Johnstown, there’s a growing number no longer living – many who “gave their all and will never be forgotten,” said retired Maj. Gen. Rodney Ruddock said.

“When you make your way to this memorial, you’ll be reminded about what is good about America,” Ruddock said, calling the monument “the heart of this battalion.” “It will serve as our beacon of hope forever.”