U.S. Navy
Seabees
Born from necessity in 1942, the Naval Construction Battalions - the Seabees - are the only military force in the world that builds and fights as one. From the coral airstrips of Guadalcanal to the frozen bridges of Chosin to the FOBs of Helmand Province, Seabees have deployed to every conflict and every continent, including Antarctica. They are tradesmen, engineers, divers, and riflemen. Their motto says it all: "Can Do."
Origins
1942
EST. 1942
CONSTRUIMUS BATUIMUS
Mar 5
1942 · Founded
Moreell
RADM · Father
Can Do
Motto
CBs
Designation
Rear Admiral Ben Moreell saw civilian contractors under fire with no right to fight back under the Geneva Conventions. His solution: put them in uniform. On March 5, 1942, the Naval Construction Battalions were born - skilled tradesmen who could pour a runway by morning and pick up a rifle by afternoon.
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ACTIVE
1st NCR / 25th NCR
4
Active NMCBs
2
UCTs
3
NCRs
8,000+
ACTIVE SEABEES
Today's Naval Construction Force operates under the 1st Naval Construction Division, deploying globally from Gulfport, Port Hueneme, and detachment sites worldwide. Underwater Construction Teams dive to build and repair in environments no one else can reach. Every Seabee remains a rifleman first - the only rating in the Navy that trains for ground combat as a core competency.
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ACTIVE
1st NCR / 25th NCR
4
Active NMCBs
2
UCTs
3
NCRs
8,000+
ACTIVE SEABEES
Today's Naval Construction Force operates under the 1st Naval Construction Division, deploying globally from Gulfport, Port Hueneme, and detachment sites worldwide. Underwater Construction Teams dive to build and repair in environments no one else can reach. Every Seabee remains a rifleman first - the only rating in the Navy that trains for ground combat as a core competency.
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World War II - Pacific
1942 - 1945
PACIFIC
151 BATTALIONS
111
Airstrips
441
Piers
2,558
Ammo Mags
700
SQ MI CLEARED
From Guadalcanal to Okinawa, Seabees landed with or ahead of the Marines and turned coral atolls into bomber bases. At Peleliu they bulldozed runways under mortar fire. At Tinian they built the airfields that launched the B-29s carrying the atomic bombs. The Japanese couldn't destroy what the Seabees could rebuild overnight.
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PACIFIC
CAUSEWAYS & DRYDOCKS
300+
Causeways
100+
Pontoon Barges
7
Floating Drydocks
10,000+
PONTOONS
Seabees invented modular pontoon causeways that turned open beaches into functioning ports. At every amphibious landing from Tarawa forward, pontoon causeways bridged the gap between ship and shore - the difference between a stalled invasion and a supplied one.
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Vietnam
1962 - 1975
VIETNAM
CIVIC ACTION
21
Battalions
9,000+
Structures
225+
Miles of Road
3,500+
CIVIC PROJECTS
Seabees built the infrastructure of the entire war - airfields, bridges, roads, camps, hospitals, port facilities. Their Civic Action Teams lived in villages building schools, wells, and clinics. At Dong Xoai, Seabees fought as infantry for three days alongside Special Forces when their camp was overrun.
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VIETNAM
JUNE 10, 1965
9
Seabees Present
7
Wounded
2
KIA
1
NAVY CROSS
When Viet Cong overran the camp at Dong Xoai, nine Seabees from MCB-11 fought through three human wave assaults alongside Green Berets. Two were killed, seven wounded. CM3 Marvin Shields - mortally wounded carrying a comrade to safety while destroying an enemy machine gun - received the Medal of Honor. The only Seabee in history to earn it.
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Modern Force
Present
325,000
Peak WWII Strength
151
WWII Battalions
83
Years of Service
Can Do
Motto