Key Historical Events of the U.S. Navy Seabees
On December 11, 1966, the main contingent of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 returned to Davisville, Rhode Island, after serving in Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam (RVN). This marked a significant event in the battalion’s history as they transitioned back to their home base after their deployment.
In 1967, Cmdr. Ward W. DeGroot III took over command of NMCB 58 from Cmdr. Paul R. Gates, who had been leading NMCB 1 at Camp Haskins, North, RVN. This change in leadership indicated a shift in operations and responsibilities within the battalion during a tumultuous period.
December 12, 1942, saw the commissioning of the 55th Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) at Camp Endicott, located in Davisville, Rhode Island. This event was pivotal, as it expanded the capabilities of the Seabees during World War II.
The inactivation of the 130th NCB was finalized on December 13, 1945, in Okinawa, Japan, marking the conclusion of its service in the Pacific Theater. This event was part of the broader demobilization of military forces following the conclusion of the war.
In 1963, a significant milestone was reached with the inauguration of a 6,000-foot military airstrip at Nakhon Phanom, in northeastern Thailand. Located near the Mekong River, which serves as the border between Thailand and Laos, this airfield represented the first substantial construction project undertaken by the Seabees in Southeast Asia, initiated by NMCB 3 in August 1962, which involved clearing a large area of dense monsoon forest.
On December 14, 1966, a tragic incident occurred when four members of NMCB 8 were injured due to enemy mines and booby traps near Chu Lai, RVN, along Route No. 1. Two personnel were hurt when their five-ton wrecker was struck by a command-detonated mine, while the other two were injured by a booby trap believed to be a fragmentation grenade. All four were airlifted to a medical facility in Chu Lai, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
In a related historical note, on December 14, 1942, ACORN 6 was officially commissioned. During World War II, ACORN units comprised Seabees and other support components, tasked with establishing and maintaining operational bases for landplanes and seaplanes.
Following the war, on December 13, 1945, the Construction Battalion Center (CBC) was established in Port Hueneme, California. This facility became the central hub for Seabee activities within the postwar U.S. Navy, incorporating both the Naval Advance Base Depot and the Naval Training and Distribution Center.
In 1956, Chief Builder Charles A. Bevilacqua made a unique mark by erecting a 15-foot tall bamboo pole, painted in orange and black stripes, topped with a mirrored glass ball at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. This ceremonial structure remains a notable feature at the South Pole today.
On December 15, 1967, a tragic event unfolded when Detail Foxtrot of NMCB 5 encountered enemy fire at site A-3, RVN. Builder (Heavy) Constructionman Roger E. Huestis was killed in the attack, while Builder (Concrete) 2nd Class William D. Thompson sustained injuries that ultimately led to his death the following day.
In 1969, Seabee Teams 0810 and 0811 returned from Vietnam to CBC Port Hueneme, California. This redeployment underscored the ongoing military engagements in the region and the vital role of the Seabees in supporting operations.
On December 15, 1942, the Seabees, established to provide construction expertise, ceased direct voluntary enlistment due to a Presidential Order mandating that military services recruit personnel through Selective Service. At that point, about 60 battalions had been formed, reflecting the growing need for skilled labor in the military construction sector.
Additionally, in 1942, ACORN 2 reached Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, and the 48th NCB was commissioned at Camp Peary, Virginia, highlighting the rapid expansion of Seabee operations in the Pacific.
One notable figure from World War II, Seabee Machinist Mate 3rd Class Malcolm Peppo of the 113th NCB, displayed extraordinary bravery while unloading supplies during the Mindanao campaign. His ship was targeted by a Japanese kamikaze plane, and despite the imminent danger, Peppo manned an abandoned anti-aircraft position to defend his crew. His courageous actions earned him the Silver Star.
On December 15, 1945, the 8th Naval Construction Brigade, along with the 52nd Naval Construction Regiment and the 71st NCB, were inactivated in Okinawa, Japan, marking a significant reduction in the active Seabee presence following the war.
In 1967, Seabee Team 0309 returned to Camp Wilkinson, the base for Seabees near Phu Bai, RVN, further emphasizing the ongoing cycle of deployment and return for these military engineers.
By 1969, the Construction Battalion Unit (CBU) 401 was formed at the Public Works Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. This unit was pivotal in the Seabees Ashore Program, providing support to various U.S. Navy activities in the region and enhancing living and recreational facilities through skilled labor.
On December 16, 1942, the 1st Special NCB was commissioned at the Naval Construction Training Center in Norfolk, Virginia. The dissolution of ACORN 11 followed in 1943, reflecting the evolving structure of Seabee units during the war.
In 1967, Seabee Team 0407 returned to the continental United States after a successful mission in Can Tho, RVN.
In 1970, Cmdr. Roy D. Gaulden was succeeded by Cmdr. J.A. Ruscyk as the commanding officer of NCMB 4. The same year, Camp Kinser in Okinawa was officially rededicated as Camp Marvin G. Shields, honoring the Seabee Medal of Honor recipient, Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin G. Shields, during a ceremony attended by Rear Admiral S.R. Smith and other notable guests, including Shields’ mother.
