The DAM Archivist
Training stations - map
In World War II, the Seabees built the Navy’s bases around the world and paved the roads to victory in the Atlantic, Alaskan and Pacific Theaters with their innumerable construction skills. Their accomplishments during the war are legendary including building over 400 advance bases, 111 major airfields, 441 piers, 2,558 ordnance magazines, hospitals to serve 70,000 patients, and housing for 1.5 million men. Nearly 325,000 men, master artisans and the most proficient of the nation's skilled workers, paved the road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe. They served on four continents, more than 300 islands, suffered more than 300 combat deaths, and earned more than 2,000 purple hearts.
The skills and experiences of normal fleet personnel were inadequate for land construction and a program for recruiting men skilled in construction work had begun with an attempt to interest older experienced men that might contribute their skills and experience.
Since recruiting produced a body of skilled tradesmen, there was little need for trade school training early on, but the lack of military experience indicated that military and tactical training be emphasized. In addition, training was required for small groups of specialists in each battalion on the operation and maintenance of pontoon gear, stills and purifiers, and mobile generators.
Training stations - map
In World War II, the Seabees built the Navy’s bases around the world and paved the roads to victory in the Atlantic, Alaskan and Pacific Theaters with their innumerable construction skills. Their accomplishments during the war are legendary including building over 400 advance bases, 111 major airfields, 441 piers, 2,558 ordnance magazines, hospitals to serve 70,000 patients, and housing for 1.5 million men. Nearly 325,000 men, master artisans and the most proficient of the nation's skilled workers, paved the road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe. They served on four continents, more than 300 islands, suffered more than 300 combat deaths, and earned more than 2,000 purple hearts.
The skills and experiences of normal fleet personnel were inadequate for land construction and a program for recruiting men skilled in construction work had begun with an attempt to interest older experienced men that might contribute their skills and experience.
Since recruiting produced a body of skilled tradesmen, there was little need for trade school training early on, but the lack of military experience indicated that military and tactical training be emphasized. In addition, training was required for small groups of specialists in each battalion on the operation and maintenance of pontoon gear, stills and purifiers, and mobile generators.