Alden K. Sibley and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Collectors value "named" items, where good provenance shows who owned the item. The previous owner of one of the hats in The History Guy's collection made lasting contributions through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Alden K. Sibley is history that deserves to be remembered.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#ushistory #thehistoryguy #corpsofengineers

[clydebalcom]

As a Marine, and a former combat engineer, I appreciate your time to present this episode.

[petermaxey]

As an engineer myself, I am amazed that the general public has no idea of the miraculous benefits that engineering has provided to both the people and our country!

[SHAKA]

I did not know that fact about West Point until I had a chance to visit and tour the Academy with a Captain in my Unit who had attended.
As an Engineer Soldier, it felt like walking on hallowed ground from being immersed in the history of the Branch that I was unaware of.
Thanks for this episode HG.

Essayons!

[mrsdomino]

Father in law was in COE in WW11. They built a bridge over The Rhine in 42 days under constant bombardment. We have the paperwork congratulating them as the bridge turned the tide allowing troops and supplies across. He was an amazing man and remained creative. Turned his work to building schools after the war. We have several of his gadgets. I miss him very much. Salute.

[muricaforever]

Proud USACE Civil Engineer here. Thank you so much for talking about the Corps of Engineers! ESSAYONS!

[dirus]

Grant also worked with Lee in the Mexican American war.
edit.
A civil engineer and professor warned that the levies would not hold if an F5 hurricane hit New Orleans. He was ignored by the mayor, governor and others in a position to solve the problem. He was also fired from the university he belonged to. Blame does not belong to the Engineering corps alone.
An engineer warned of the disaster of Fukushima when construction was being planned for those reactors. He said build a large sea wall, he was ignored.
There is a systemic problem with politicians ignoring the wisdom of engineers, and other knowledgeable experts, which result in catastrophe.

[araeagle]

The History Guy - Steward of History. What a magnificent thought!

[grondhero]

I think the New Orleans failure had to do with the local government. The Corps took responsibility for political reasons, precisely because they couldn't be sued, unlike city & state government agencies. Heck, the city was built _below_ sea level.

[elcastorgrande]

US Army Engineers, 18th Engr Bde, Vietnam, Class of 1969. Engineers forever!

[coopboulton]

I do contract work at Ft. Belvoir at an Army Corps of Engineers facility and one of the main buildings there is the Sibley Building and I'm so glad I know his history now. Thank you

[Traderjoe]

People like him are actually equivalent to the engineers in Ancient Rome who commanded the construction of the aquifers that brought fresh water to Rome and other large Roman cities and in the layout of new cities as well. They were not just leaders in an army of death and destruction, but also of leaders of civil projects that benefited mankind and still do

[v.e.]

I've been through the St. Lawrence Seaway w/ my father, in a 55' Berger, steel hulled boat. Just after getting through the last lock, we came into a pretty severe squall that eventually produced a tornado/water spout. That was the first (and only) time I had witnessed a water spout, so I was both mildly frightened and utterly mesmerized by this natural phenomenon. About ten or fifteen minutes after it passed our area it literally started raining down all sorts of fish and other marine life and sea detritus. We stood inside the cabin and watched this bazaar occurrence for about another five minutes. Personal history I will always remember. lol

[goinhot]

As the son of an Army Engineer. And a big fan of this channel. This was your best episode ever! Thank you for showing the importance of what engineering has done for our country, and the world as we know it.

[gerryphilly]

As the parent of a National Guard officer attached to an Engineer Unit, thanks for this spotlight on an amazing organization. The Corps is truly a national asset. I had the good fortune to be able to visit the Corps’ museum at Fort Leonard Wood while attending my son’s BOLC graduation and learned of the Corps’ vital role.

[christian-michaelhansen]

My husband, Melvin L. Hansen Jr., a few decades plus eight years older than me worked, quite proudly, for The Army Corps of Engineers for 35 years before retirement. Starting out, he was a supply officer for the dredges carving out the shipping channel on the Columbia and Willamette rivers in Oregon.Eventually, He was head of Personal and Pay Management in several districts including Portland OR, Jacksonville FL, Los Angeles, and finally Seattle. He was proud of his career, having first been part of the US Army, then Air Force, and finally the Corps. THG and his presentation here reminded me of why my husband of 18 years was deservedly proud of his accomplishments. Thank you once again for reinforcing my appreciation of these bits of History, that deserve to be remembered!

[sarjim]

I'm glad you have given a reasonably balanced overview of the Corp. As usual, nothing in history is all good or all bad.

[davidcarroll]

Congrats on 500+k Subscribers! Well deserved.

[deanotamsmith]

Hey History Guy, I love history too. Your programs are like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other history channels. Thanks for the great work you do to help keep history alive.

[WorldwideWyatt]

My Grandfather achieved the rank of Colonel in the US Army Corps of Engineers and served in Viet Nam. He was also a Civil Engineer by trade.

[Roger-nyxr]

Being a civil engineer myself, I was extremely happy to learn, from your video, the history of corps and the connection between engineering and some of our country's most famous military leaders. Thank you.