U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, CA.
Birth of the Navy’s Construction Battalions
The Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, was born 5 March 1942. To meet the Navy’s need for construction of advanced bases in combat zones in WWII, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, requested specific authority to activate, organize, and man Navy construction units. The first Seabee units were authorized on 5 January 1942, and official authorization of the Seabee name and insignia occurred on 5 March 1942.
Since then, for over 75 years, Seabees have been the Navy's construction force, building bases and airfields, conducting underwater construction, and building roads, bridges, and other support facilities. They play a crucial role in supporting the fleet and combatant commands while carrying out the Navy's maritime strategy.
Seabees also play an important role in sustaining global relationships. Seabees are forward deployed around the world to provide engineering and construction support while promoting regional stability and improving lives through engineering civic action projects in many countries.
U.S. Navy Seabee Museum
The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum selects, collects, preserves, and displays historic material related to the history of the Naval Construction Force (Seabees), and the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. A wide selection of museum holdings is available digitally through the museum website. Material includes World War II unit histories, World War II cruisebooks, and issuances from the World War II Seabee News Service.
More History and Tradition of the Seabees
History of the Seabees
Naval Construction Battalion Books
Building the Navy's Bases in World War II
Seabee History: Introduction
Seabee History: Formation of the Seabees and World War II
Seabee History: Between the Second World War and the Korean War
Seabee History: Southeast Asia
Seabee History: After Vietnam
Seabee History: Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm
The Seabees at 75
Museum Advisory Council Green-lights 75th Seabee Anniversary Plans for March 2017
Quonset Hut Manuals
Seabee Unit Cruise Books in the Navy Department Library
The following videos focus on the proud and continuing tradition of the Seabees.
Built on History
Seabee Reflections: World War II to Present. [YouTube] In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Seabees, the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, California, had the opportunity recently to interview Seabees who served from World War II to present.
Celebration of the Fighting Seabees. [YouTube] This video combines historic footage with recent imagery to show the Fighting Seabees, then and now.
Seabees of World War II. [YouTube] This World War II footage, obtained from the National Archives, includes a brief prologue and epilogue from Rear Adm. Ben Moreell. Footage includes Pacific operations as well as scenes of the Sicily invasion and landing at Salerno.
History of the Seabees in Guam. [YouTube] This video, courtesy of Joint Region Marianas, provides a historical look at Seabee contributions in Guam.
Celebrating the Contributions of Seabee Betty. [YouTube] This video, courtesy of Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs, tells the story of "Seabee Betty," who served as a surrogate mother to thousands of Seabees stationed in Guam.
“Can Do Since ’42”: World War II Service
These video clips highlight the service of Seabee veterans.
All Hands Magazine interviews World War II Seabees. [YouTube]
World War II veteran and Seabee Jack Mace recounts his service in the Pacific Fleet. [YouTube]
The son of a World War II veteran discusses the pride he has for his father’s service. [YouTube]
A World War II Seabee veteran discusses his experience serving in the Philippines. [YouTube]
Constructing the Future
These videos depict the range of Seabee capabilities and provide footage of today’s Seabees at work.
Capabilities of the Seabees [YouTube]
All Hands Update [YouTube]
NMCB 5 Holds Basic First Aid Educational Event in Calinog [DVIDS]
BUCN Glenn Vaca: Construction Project in Cambodia [DVIDS]
NMCB 5 Classroom Construction Project in Panay [DVIDS]
Seabees in Cambodia [DVIDS]
UCT Diego Garcia: Diving Operations [DVIDS]
Valiant Shield 2016: CTF-75 [DVIDS]
Why I’m Proud To Be a Seabee
In these video interviews, Sailors share why they’re proud to be Seabees.
Share from YouTube:
The uniqueness of the work
The valuable skills Seabees learn
The amazing accomplishments of the Seabees
The proud tradition
The versatility of the Seabees
The rewarding projects
Seabees Can Do! | Full interview also available.
The rich heritage
Download video packages from DVIDS:
The opportunity to dive into history
The opportunity to lead
James D. Fairbanks
Edward Griffin Underhill