Historical Milestones of the U.S. Navy Seabees
On October 21, 1943, the 138th Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) was officially established at the Naval Construction Training Center located at Camp Peary, Magruder, Virginia. The following day, the 35th NCB was commissioned at Camp Endicott in Davisville, Rhode Island, marking significant developments in the Navy’s construction capabilities during World War II.
In 1967, the primary contingent of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 departed from Davisville, Rhode Island, to join the 30th Naval Construction Regiment for operations in Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam (RVN). Simultaneously, NMCB 128’s main body was deployed from the Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, to Camp Faulkner in Da Nang, RVN, utilizing eight C-141 aircraft for transportation.
Commissioning and Deployment Events
On October 23, 1943, the 130th NCB was commissioned at the Naval Construction Training Center at Camp Endicott in Rhode Island. The next year, the Advance Base Depot Receiving Barracks in Davisville, known as Camp Thomas, was disbanded, leading to the transfer of its operations to NCTC Davisville. In 1947, the 109th NCB was deactivated in Guam.
In 1966, the main body of NMCB 58 set off from Davisville, Rhode Island, to Da Nang, RVN. Tragically, in 1967, Lt. Joseph J. Rhodes, a Civil Engineer Corps officer from Mobile Construction Battalion 121, became the first CEC officer killed in Vietnam when the jeep he was riding in hit a land mine. This incident resulted in multiple fatalities, including two fellow soldiers. To honor his sacrifice, a Seabee camp in Quang Tri was dedicated to Rhodes, featuring a plaque commemorating his service.
Notable Achievements and Innovations
On October 24, 1944, tank-mounted flamethrowers emerged as a crucial asset for dislodging Japanese soldiers from fortified positions during World War II. A collaborative team, which included an officer and 25 Seabees from the 117th NCB, was formed to support the Army’s Chemical Warfare unit in refining this weapon. Following several trials, the design was improved, leading to a flamethrower tank that minimized technical drawbacks. The weapon received positive feedback from both tank crews and chemical warfare officers during its first demonstration. The Seabees not only constructed these tanks but also trained Army and Marine personnel on their operation, paving the way for their deployment in key battles such as Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Peleliu.
In 1944, the 9th Naval Construction Brigade and the 41st Naval Construction Regiment were both commissioned. The following year, the 36th NCR was deactivated.
Continued Contributions and Leadership Changes
On October 25, 1945, the 6th NCB was inactivated, alongside the 11th Special NCB in Okinawa. In 1963, the U.S. Naval Ship Missile Systems Engineering Station was officially dedicated at the Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, California. By 1967, the main body of NMCB 71 returned to Davisville, Rhode Island, after serving in Chu Lai, RVN.
On October 26, 1966, Captain Greer A. Busbee, Jr., took over command of the Atlantic Fleet Naval Construction Battalions from Captain Spencer R. Smith, while NMCB 1’s main body returned to Davisville from Da Nang via C-141 aircraft, with stops in Japan and Alaska.
In a historic milestone, Rear Adm. Katherine L. Gregory became the first female officer to lead the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and serve as chief of Civil Engineers in 2012.
Valiant Acts During Combat Operations
On October 27, 1943, during the invasion of Mono Island in the Solomon Islands, Seabees from NCB 87 landed shortly after the assault commenced. Led by Lt. Charles E. Turnbull, the team included Machinist Mate 1st Class Aurelio Tassone and his bulldozer. Facing intense enemy fire from a fortified pillbox, the crew devised a plan for Tassone to use his dozer to breach the obstruction. With support from Turnbull, Tassone effectively dismantled the barricade, resulting in the demise of the enemy soldiers inside. Their courageous actions earned both men the Silver Star Medal for their valor.
In 1970, Seabee Team 0319 was deployed to Xuan Loc, RVN, utilizing government aircraft for transportation.
