Seabees
Last post 05-06-2008 10:06 AM by KristenF. 213 replies.
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seabee_sniper
  - Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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Reta i am glad i can get people to love the Seabees, i am so proud to be one and i am so happy to met you all and can teach people who dont know much about us, a little about what i love...HooRah...
Shane
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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Who got there first... |
| Marines |
or |
Seabees? |
Part of Seabee history during WWII is the controversy of who first arrived on the shores of some of those South Pacific islands. As our brave, U.S. Marines stormed a few of those hostile beaches, they were sometimes met by strange looking beasts...
Let's begin
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On a certain Pacific Island, it is said, natives were mopping up the remaining Japs. One day a group of natives wiped out a party of Japs, but the natives hesitated to kill a strange animal which the Japs had brought to the island. The animal was a goat, and after observing the goat curiously, the natives returned to their chief for instructions as to whether or not they should kill the strange beast. "What manner of beast is it?" the chief asked."Oh, he's very strange, majesty," the natives replied. "He has fierce eyes, long horns, a shaggy beard, will eat anything, and stinks like hell.""Spare him," the chief ruled at once. "He's what the Americans call a Seabee."The description fit so well that a few of the WWII Seabee battalions adopted billy goats as mascots. |
So who did get there first?
Here's one of the many stories
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In July, 1943, during the Munda operation, a Marine detachment made the classic dawn assault on a New Georgia beach. As they came tearing up on the beach looking for Japs, a party of white men stepped out from behind trees and waved to them. Marine jaws dropped as the party approached and Seabee Lieutenant Bob Ryan, of Santa Paula, Cal., extended his hand to the Marine major.
"Major, the Seabees are always happy to welcome the Marines!" Lieutenant Ryan said warmly, with a heavy tongue in his cheek. Then a Seabee boatswain's mate walked over, clapped a Marine private on the back and quipped: "What kept yuh, bud?" The quip was almost too much for a self-respecting Marine to take. Great oaths rent the air and there was much stamping of earth before the Montezuma boys got around to appreciating the Seabee jest.
Lieutenant Ryan's party had been scouting for an airstrip location when they spied the Marines approaching. The Marines insisted that the whole affair was a frame-up, but the Seabees contend that it is typical of the manner in which they must "protect the Marines."
Another of the rivalries during WWII between the Marines and the Seabees was the question of who was there to protect who? |
And this unknown Seabee poet answers
the ultimate "Who's first?"
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The Fighting Seabee
The Navy needed fighters
And they needed engineers,
So they organized the Seabees to
pin back Nippee's ears,
They took welders, riggers, boilermen,
cooks and bakers too;
They signed them in the Navy, which
was the thing to do.
With Tommy guns and rifle, we Seabees
learned to shoot;
We used a big machete knife, and other
things to boot.
They taught us how to march and drill,
They taught us how to dress;
We learned Commando tactics and
we bucked the line at mess.
We learned the Navy lingo; we called it
"deck" and "swab";
We learned just how to "knock it off"
like any other gob.
They taught us all these many things
in thirteen weeks or less,
And what they didn't teach us, the rest
we had to guess.
We finished out our training and
we sailed to Island X,
We had all our equipment stowed
below and on the decks.
The japs they held the island when
at last it hove in sight;
We knew that they were ready, so we got
prepared to fight.
We landed under heavy fire, and
there was plenty hell,
It kept us busy most the day, just
dodging every shell.
We soon had wiped the Nippees out
and then we went to work,
Each Seabee did his duty - not a one
was seen to shirk.
We built a mighty landing field,
a barracks and a dock,
About a hundred miles of road we made
from solid rock.
We got things finally squared away,
'twas pretty to be seen,
Then we went back to the beachhead,
where we saw our first Marines.
They had followed in behind us,
though they said they got there first;
We had everything completely fixed,
they could even quench their thirst.
From the Halls of Montezuma, to the
shores of Tripoli
It used to be the Leathernecks, now
it's all Seabees.
And when we reach the Pearly Gates and
stand at Heaven's scene,
There'll be a Seabee waiting there
to greet the first Marine. |
Ah, yes... deep down we love those scrappy,
little fighters but the moral of this page is
If we can't make fun of the Marines,
then what good are they?
Here's one last Seabee poem that tells the story
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We work like hell, we fight like hell,
And always come back for more:
The Navy's advance base engineers
On many a foreign shore.
On half the lousy islands
For here to Timbucto,
You'll find a hive of Seabees-
One hell of a fighting crew.
The admiral just dropped around
To chat the other night,
He said, "Now boys, I know you work
But you've also been trained to fight.
"So if there's any trouble, don't stop
To put on your jeans;
Just drop your tools, grab up your guns
And protect those poor marines." |
Did you know that the first SEALs were Seabees?
i know this is a little long and all but i work with a GnySgt so i had to print it and give this to him
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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i am full of great info for you all to get tired of reading...lol as you can tell i love what i do...Marilyn..you dont have to decide what one you like the most...there is not one better than the rest, we are all one team, one family, and one fight...we are all brothers in sisrters in harms way, to protect the freedom of all the great people back home, and we do it because we love it...hoorah...
one more fact...ok i am done for tonight with the facts...lol
During the Gulf War, more than 5,000 Seabees (4,000 active and 1,000 reservists) served in the Middlle East. In Saudi Arabia, Seabees built 10 camps for more than 42,000 personnel; 14 galleys capable of feeding 75,000 people; and 6 million square feet of aircraft parking apron.
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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hey i was thinking about this, and did you know Canada was originly suposed to be called " CND" but when asked to spell it out for official paper work the guy spelled it out with the canadian accent C'eh N'eh D'eh.. so the guy wrote CANADA....correct 'eh
i know not funny..
HAHA shane
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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LongIslandgirl
  - Joined on 01-29-2008
- Long Island NY
- Posts 45
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Exactly how much free time to you have there? LOL
I hope you don't make your wife decorate ala seabees!
Gulfport? Hurricane Katrina?
-Joanne
9-11-01 Never Forget
All Gave Some, Some Gave All
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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yep i was there in Gulfport for that storm...wicked storm, and to answer you on the how much free time i have its 9pm here rite now so i have all night.....lol i know my jokes are not all to funny but i think they are...HAHAHA everyone need a little laugh sometimes...HAHAHA
this is my second time in GP i was there 97-02 then again 05-09 or longer...
shane
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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Marilyn
  - Joined on 12-14-2007
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Posts 337
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Shane -- I just want to clarify something in my earlier post that I think you misunderstood. When I said I couldn't decide which one I like the most, I meant which of your stories/poems -- NOT which service branch. Heavens -- I love all you guys and gals -- I feel like you are my kids --
--Marilyn
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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night to you all and will enlighten you all tomorrow...great talking to you today.
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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oh ok that was my bad, its all good thow...sorry about that......my storries are somthing to talk about....wondering if i am crazy or what...haha...no i enjoy it here talking to you all...and i will be here for a few months i hope you all dont get bored reading what i have to say...take care and i will talk to you all tomorrow....
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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jetakai
  - Joined on 03-04-2008
- Posts 68
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Congrats on the promotion! Yay!
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Joyce
 - Joined on 01-13-2008
- Eastern Shore and PA
- Posts 119
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SeeBees built Henderson Field and Pop always said they were Marines, cause they fight like marines. His words....Hoo Ray! (Pop's picture is my avatar) Jazzee Girl
Hello my name is Joyce and I am a support junkie. Proud daughter of USMC WWII vet, widow of Navy vet, mother-in-law to Air Force and Army soldiers. PGR PA SE 6 Remember our Vets!
"We're surrounded. That simplifies the problem!" --Chesty Puller, USMC
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mamadragon08
  - Joined on 03-21-2008
- Mesa, Arizona
- Posts 14
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God I love those fighting Seabees!!!!!
I was born in the 50's & have watched those WWII movies over & over. Never get tired of them. John Wayne became almost a great Iconic war hero he was in so many war movies. That patriclur movie made a big impression on me. Ya think!! I feel like I've incountered a legend & I have. Irregurdless of however young that legend might be.
Sharon
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Jenifer_one_N
  - Joined on 05-13-2007
- Minnesota
- Posts 895
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 seabee_sniper:
During the Gulf War, more than 5,000 Seabees (4,000 active and 1,000 reservists) served in the Middlle East.
My brother was one of the 1,000 Reservists. 
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." - Calvin Coolidge
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seabee_sniper
- Joined on 03-24-2008
- Kuwait
- Posts 85
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I have to apologise to you all if i ofended anyone with my use os some words, i was contacted and said i have to watch some of the things i post on here....i didint think there was anything when i posted it but i guess i didnt read it over well enough..so again i am sorry about that and i will proof read better next time....have a great day and or night..
Shane
Seabees; doing the impossible since 1942
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