Farewell Fearless 74

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 was decommissioned on July 25 at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss. Originally commissioned April 28, 1943, NMCB 74 was deactivated Oct. 31, 1945, and then recommissioned Dec. 6, 1966. Seabees from all eras attended "Fearless 74's" decommissioning ceremony. "I would bet this isn't the end of NMCB 74," said Rear Adm. Kate Gregory, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and Chief of Civil Engineers, during her remarks at the ceremony. "We have had two NMCB 74s and I look forward to coming back to that commissioning ceremony for the third one. Until then, we will use the example set by those of you who have gone before as we lead on."

EQCM Helen Daniel, command master chief, and BU1 Jonathan Olds, NMCB 74, case the battalion s colors during a decommissioning ceremony on board NCBC Gulfport, Miss., July 25. Seabees from all eras attended the ceremony, including retired Cmdr. Gordon Schley, commanding officer of the battalion at its recommissioning in 1966. The ceremony included remarks from NAVFAC Commander and Chief of Civil Engineers Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory; NCG 2 Commander Capt. J. J. Adametz; NMCB 74 s Commanding Officer Cmdr. David McAlister; and Navy Seabee Veterans of America National Commander Master Chief Jerry Landcastle. Photo by CE2 Courtney Demastus

A part of Seabee history was shared when a 600-piece wooden NMCB 74 logo was dismantled at the end of the ceremony with each active battalion member receiving a block. U.S. Navy photo