Monte1255
Senior Member
Gentlemen:
I think if there was ever a more appropriate place to post a thread of this nature I haven't found it. I know a lot of you guys got your start on running equipment in the US armed services and a lot of you have served our country with pride and honor. I started this thread for the purpose of honoring some of those persons who proudly call themselves Seabees!
Although never in the service myself, My dad was, and it was his training that has been passed on down to the next generation (me) and sparked an interest in machine works, welding fabrication and construction. He has spent hrs telling me of his time in the service, what he did, the people he met and where he went. I will try to share some of his experiences with you as best I can recall and hopefully some will find the time to contribute here as well.
In 1958 Dad graduated from High School and decided he wanted a "vacation" away from the farm for a while, he joined the US Navy and after completing Basic training chose to enter into a class A School to become a steelworker. His Schooling consisted of welding, (gas and arc) principles in steel fabrication, blueprints, and many other aspect of the trade. After graduating he was assigned to MCB-9 and in 1959 headed out to I believe it was Okinawa. His deployments usually lasted about 6 months at the end of which he returned back to home base (Port Hueneme California) other deployments included Adak Alaska, and Midway Island. MCB-9 like other Seabee units was like a complete Construction Co. encompassing everything from Heavy Equipment operators to steel workers and plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. AS a group the Seabee units traveled whereever they were needed in peace time and in war.
Some of you may have even seen the John Wayne movie "The fighting Seabees" depicting in Hollywood terms the life of the Seabee in WWII. But in reality the primary mission of the Seabee was to build, and defend what they build. Over the next several days as time will allow I will try to get my facts straight, about what it was that can be called Dad's experience and share with you as well some of the pictures that were in his cruise book. My dad was only in for the four years, and tells me he sure would like to know a little bit more about his old unit, where they went and what they did after 1963, so once again if you have pictures, stories or anything you like to share please feel free to do so.
Picture of Dad 3rd from left (back Row) while outside Yakatak Hanger (Adak Alaska) (1962)
Sorry about picture quality the pictures were scanned from the cruise books.
I think if there was ever a more appropriate place to post a thread of this nature I haven't found it. I know a lot of you guys got your start on running equipment in the US armed services and a lot of you have served our country with pride and honor. I started this thread for the purpose of honoring some of those persons who proudly call themselves Seabees!
Although never in the service myself, My dad was, and it was his training that has been passed on down to the next generation (me) and sparked an interest in machine works, welding fabrication and construction. He has spent hrs telling me of his time in the service, what he did, the people he met and where he went. I will try to share some of his experiences with you as best I can recall and hopefully some will find the time to contribute here as well.
In 1958 Dad graduated from High School and decided he wanted a "vacation" away from the farm for a while, he joined the US Navy and after completing Basic training chose to enter into a class A School to become a steelworker. His Schooling consisted of welding, (gas and arc) principles in steel fabrication, blueprints, and many other aspect of the trade. After graduating he was assigned to MCB-9 and in 1959 headed out to I believe it was Okinawa. His deployments usually lasted about 6 months at the end of which he returned back to home base (Port Hueneme California) other deployments included Adak Alaska, and Midway Island. MCB-9 like other Seabee units was like a complete Construction Co. encompassing everything from Heavy Equipment operators to steel workers and plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. AS a group the Seabee units traveled whereever they were needed in peace time and in war.
Some of you may have even seen the John Wayne movie "The fighting Seabees" depicting in Hollywood terms the life of the Seabee in WWII. But in reality the primary mission of the Seabee was to build, and defend what they build. Over the next several days as time will allow I will try to get my facts straight, about what it was that can be called Dad's experience and share with you as well some of the pictures that were in his cruise book. My dad was only in for the four years, and tells me he sure would like to know a little bit more about his old unit, where they went and what they did after 1963, so once again if you have pictures, stories or anything you like to share please feel free to do so.
Picture of Dad 3rd from left (back Row) while outside Yakatak Hanger (Adak Alaska) (1962)
Sorry about picture quality the pictures were scanned from the cruise books.
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