Seabee Foundation
What is the Official Moto of the Seabees?
official motto: Construimus, Batuimus — “We Build, We Fight.”
The first Seabee detachment deployed in January 1942, what was their Det name?
The Bobcats
“The Great Seabee Train Robbery” occurred in what city and when?
Inchon, Korea on 15 September 1950.
Who was the only Seabee to earn the Medal of Honor and When?
CM3 Marvin G. Shields, 10 June 1965, during the battle of Dong Xoai.
What was the significance of the Seabees during Operation Iraqi Freedom?
Seabees had the largest Navy role ashore, with approximately 3,000 Seabees in theater.
Who was the first female Seabee?
CN Camella Jones in 1972.
When were the Seabees officially granted to use the name?
On March 5, 1942.
During WWII, to maintain the anonymity of base locations, which code name did Seabees use when writing home or creating base or command newsletters?
Island X
In the Battle of Inchon, how long was the pontoon pier that allowed supplies to move from the ships to shore?
400 Feet
When did the first full Seabee battalion arrive in Vietnam, and what was their initial task?
On May 7, 1965, with the task of building an expeditionary airfield for the Marines at Chu Lai.
How quickly did Seabees manage to open the runway at Kandahar for C-130 and C-17 flights?
Within 48 hours with temporary, compacted-earth expedient repairs.
Who was the first female Civil Engineer Corps Officer to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral (RADM)?
RADM Katherine Gregory
What was the premise behind the formation of the Navy’s Seabees during World War II?
Experienced, armed construction workers were critically needed in combat zones.
Which Battalion fought in the battle of Iwo Jima?
NMCB 133
Why are Seabees associated with Cubi Point Naval Air Station?
We built it, in 1950 during the Korean war and estimated over 20 million man hours to build.
What were some specific challenges faced by Seabees in Vietnam?
Seabees faced logistical challenges in the Mekong Delta, struggled with the terrain, and worked in hazardous guerrilla-infested areas.
When did NMCB 133 return to Afghanistan, and what was significant about their deployment?
In September 2012, as the last Active-Duty battalion to deploy there.
Who was the first female Seabee to become a Chief Petty Officer?
BUC Carol Diane Keehner in 1984
Who was the Father of the Seabees?
Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of the Navy’s Bureau of Yards and Docks.
The Seabees Built Five Figurative Roads of Victory, which locations did the U.S. North Atlantic Road through?
U.S. The North Atlantic Road continued through Newfoundland to Great Britain, France, and Germany.
What was the significance of the reorganization of Seabee battalions during the Korean War?
It established specialized battalion types (PHIBCBs and NMCBs) to enhance specialization and mobility, ensuring Seabees were better equipped to fulfill their diverse construction missions.
How did Seabees demonstrate their commitment to peacebuilding in Vietnam?
They taught construction skills to the Vietnamese people, helping them become self-sufficient. They contributed to community development and infrastructure projects, showcasing their role as "builders for peace."
Which Seabee units were deployed to provide construction support for the FIRST MEF in Saudi Arabia?
NMCBs FOUR, FIVE, SEVEN, and FORTY.
Who was the First woman underwater construction team diver?
Chief Margret Cooper
How did the Seabees get their name, and what does it stand for?
The Seabees obtained their name from a transliteration of “CB,” which stands for construction battalion.
Ernest Schefer, Chief Electrician’s Mate with the 15th Naval Construction Battalion was on Bora Bora in 1942 when he devised an innovative solution for a lack of proper insulating materials. What everyday item did he repurpose as insulators for 440-volt power lines?
Coca-Cola bottles
How did Seabees demonstrate their efficiency and capability during Operation "Crippled Chick"?
Despite constant artillery bombardment and a deadline of 35 days, Seabees completed the airstrip on Yo Do in just 16 days, showcasing their rapid construction abilities and resilience under fire.
What was the Direct Procurement Petty Officer Program, and why was it implemented during the Vietnam War?
A program implemented to recruit skilled construction workers at advanced pay grades to meet the increasing requirements of the war effort in Vietnam.
Besides repairing runways, what other tasks did the Seabees undertake at Kandahar?
Building a short-term holding facility for Taliban and Al-Qaeda detainees and improved temporary runway repairs to facilitate the transportation of detainees to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Who was the first woman selected as Seabee Queen to preside over the festivities of the Seabee Ball?
Susan Hayward, John Wayne’s co-star in the Fighting Seabees.