For Barbara and others,
I just obtained a copy of a Deptartment of the Army Pamphlet, No 672-1, entitled Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register dated July 1961. This official Army document was used to establish the eligibility of individuals who served in WW2 or Korea so they could be awarded a campaign medal. This book contains 533 pages printed front and back with about 60 unit entries per page.*
The 1290th Engineer Combat Battalion* is listed in this document but there are NO campaigns listed with it nor any meritorious service awards. The only comments are that it was an Occupation force in Germany from 20 May to 5 July 1945.
It seems he arrived there too late to see combat experience, based on this and Marion's info.
If anyone wants me to look up a unit, let me know. I think there was another similar question on the forum but I can't find it.
Steve
* Edited to protect the innocent(me) and to confuse the wise(Marion)