Honoring Legacy and Mission Through History

Staff Ride

By Capt. Erick Sanchez

Article published on: July 1, 2025 in the Army Communicator Summer 2025 Issue

Read Time: < 4 mins

Lt. Col. Geoffrey Love delivers a detailed briefing on the Massachusetts National Guard’s enduring mission.
(Photo by Sgt. Toan Vo, 57th ESB-E)

The 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion–Enhanced (ESB-E) traveled to Boston May 5–9 in a staff ride to honor the unit’s legacy and explore the birthplace of the American Revolution. The staff ride allowed the battalion’s “Lightning Warriors” to step back in time, walk through history, strengthen team bonds, and connect with the battalion’s roots. By studying the past, the team sharpened their focus for future missions.

Over the week, leaders explored Revolutionary War landmarks along the Freedom Trail and Battle Road – sites that set the stage for the birth of American liberty.

The team’s historical briefings provided critical insights into the commander's foundational values: resilience, courage, and duty to serve a cause greater than oneself. The emotional core of the journey was the battalion’s return to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, where the 57th Signal Battalion was activated during the early days of World War II. For today’s formation, it was a moment of connection – walking the same paths as their predecessors and standing where the battalion’s legacy of lightning action first began.

“This staff ride was a first for me in my Army career, and it was incredible to see the battalion retrace its footsteps all the way back to where it began,” said 1st Sgt. William D. Vargas. “It’s not just history; it’s our history.”

History of 57th ESB-E during World War II

The 57th ESB-E dates back to the early days of World War II. Activated on Feb. 10, 1941, at Camp Edwards, the unit consisted mainly of skilled telephone and power technicians. Their training was intense – featuring 25-mile ruck marches, technical communications education, and a strict daily routine marked by 16 bugle calls.

Initially intended for brief service, their mission extended after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union and the attack on Pearl Harbor. From North Africa's deserts to Italy's mountains, southern France, and Austria, the 57th served longer in combat than any other Army signal unit during the war, earning a reputation for technical skill, endurance, and resilience in the face of fire.

In North Africa, the battalion operated in Morocco and Algeria before redeploying to Italy with the 36th Texas Infantry Division (ID). Although they missed Sicily's invasion, the campaign on mainland Italy became a tough fight from September to December 1943, as they supported the VI Corps and the 36th ID against harsh terrain, adverse weather conditions, and stiff German resistance. A significant moment came at the Volturno River when two linemen unknowingly crossed an uncleared minefield twice while laying communication lines. Supply shortages forced the battalion to improvise with local materials to maintain vital communications. Their teamwork with the 36th ID remains a powerful example of operational excellence and bravery, cementing the 57th's legacy as a key contributor to Allied victory. The 57th wasn’t just a part of history; it helped shape it.

“Their role in the Allied victory is a legacy of innovation, sacrifice, and endurance that still matters today. After all, tactics and logistics mean nothing without effective communication,” said Joe Yukna, co-founder of the Cape Cod Military Museum

Lightning Warrior Day

On May 7, the battalion commemorated "Lightning Warrior Day," a date chosen to mirror their unit designation and to honor their origins at Camp Edwards. This day of reflection was marked by a historical presentation from Yukna. Using rare materials from a World War II-era history book of the 57th Signal Battalion, Yukna detailed the battalion's deployment history and its lasting impact on the Allied victory. The day’s highlight was the unveiling of the 57th ESB-E Heritage Rock at Overlook Point-1, the highest retransmission site at Camp Edwards. The rock – painted with the battalion’s insignia and featuring a Walt Disney-designed mascot (a bee clutching a lightning bolt) – serves as a reminder of the battalion's legacy and ongoing commitment to excellence in communications. The artwork was hand-painted by talented Massachusetts National Guard artists Staff Sgt. Trenton Deterra, Sgt. Adalberto Velez, and Spc. Alea Starcher, solidifying the bond between the unit's past and present.

Lightning Warriors gather around the 57th ESB-E Heritage Rock at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts.
(Photo by Sgt. Toan Vo, 57th ESB-E)

“The heritage rock and historical briefings remind us how far we’ve come as a battalion,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Richard K. Thomas.” They highlighted the hard work, dedication, and legacy we continue to build every day.”

Staff Ride to Battle Road and Freedom Trail

As part of the week-long commemoration, the 57th ESB-E conducted a staff ride across key historic sites of the American Revolution. Guided by Lt. Col. Geoffrey Love, director of Historical Services for the Massachusetts National Guard, the battalion explored key sites along the Battle Road in Lexington and Concord, the very ground the American Revolution began. Along the iconic Freedom Trail, the battalion reflected on the ideals of liberty, service, and sacrifice that sparked a new nation.

“Walking the Battle Road brought it all together,” said Capt. Nnamdi Opusunju. “Starting at Lexington Green and ending at Parker’s Revenge felt full circle. It was powerful to follow that arc of resistance and resilience, just like Capt. [John] Parker once did.”

The Lightning Warriors gained deeper appreciation for the necessity and history of the National Guard through this trip. Love highlighted its lineage that stretches from the colonial militia to today's modern military. Lessons from these sites brought context and clarity to their mission, reinforcing the timeless values of duty, courage, and unity.

Looking Forward

Although the past provides powerful inspiration, 57th ESB-E remains focused on its evolving mission to deliver resilient, secure expeditionary communications worldwide. Since its constitution in 1927, and its activation during World War II at Camp Edwards in 1941, the 57th has served with distinction in major conflicts – from North Africa and Italy to Southwest Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Over the decades, it has undergone multiple reorganizations, including its transformation into an expeditionary signal battalion in 2008, and its redesignation as ESB-E in 2021, following the adoption of Scalable Network Node.

The 57th ESB-E has a proven track record of operational excellence. It supported Operation Desert Storm in 1990, provided theater-wide communications during multiple deployments to Iraq in the 2000s, and earned a Meritorious Unit Citation Medal during Operation Iraqi Freedom VI. It was the last ESB to deploy as a whole battalion to Afghanistan, marking the close of another chapter in its long and decorated combat history.

As the Lightning Warriors prepare for their next deployment in 2026, the legacy forged over nearly a century continues to guide them. From the bugle calls of Camp Edwards to today's multidomain operations, the 57th stands as a symbol of innovation, endurance, and service. Their recent return to Massachusetts for a staff ride was more than a visit. It was a reconnection with their origins and a powerful reminder that their history is not just something they carry but something they continue to write with each mission.

“Walking the Freedom Trail and spending time at Camp Edwards allowed us to connect with our unit’s rich heritage,” said Lt. Col. Randolph E. Donathan, 57th ESB-E commander. “It reminded us that our service is rooted in the sacrifices made by those who came before us. As leaders, it is our duty to honor the legacy of our predecessors. This event provided a unique opportunity for us to honor both the Soldiers who fought for our new nation and our unit.”