Whoa. You must read about the engineers in Europe during WWII. Very smart, very fit. Of course the combat engineers were different than desk ones.
A good read is “First Across the Rhine” about the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion by Colonel David E. Pergrin.
“Why did the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion stand its ground during the Battle of the Bulge when many combat and support outfits broke and fled? According to Pergrin, former commanding officer, pride, morale, training, and leadership caused the 291st to be named the premier engineer battalion in Europe in WWII. “
From one of the many great reviews.
I’ll have to check that out. I’m kinda partial to Seabees, but that’s just a family tradition.