Story by MC2 Jessica Blackwell, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii
In the aftermath, and from the ashes of December 7, 1941, which propelled the United States into World War II, rose a new call and opportunity to serve in the Navy, the Naval Construction Battalions. Today, they are known as Seabees.
At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Navy used civilian contractors to construct and support bases and other locations. However, with an increasing need to be able to defend and resist against military attacks, civilians could no longer be used. According to the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park, under international law it was illegal to arm civilians and have them resist the enemy. If they did they could be executed as guerrillas. On January 5, 1942, Rear Adm. Ben Moreell received approval to organize the Naval Construction Force. In a matter of days, the first naval construction unit deployed.
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Navy Yard Bougainville with the Seabee Expression, Jan. 2, 1944. (Courtesy of U.S.Navy Seabee Museum)
Today, with seven rates ranging from Builder (BU) to Engineering Aide (EA) to Utilitiesman (UT), Seabees are a fully-functioning construction crew. They are strategically placed, ready to deploy at a moment s notice, and able to build, erect and salvage in various types of environments. Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303 Detachment Pearl Harbor is one such unit.
CBMU 303 Detachment Pearl Harbor has the unique opportunity to assist and service the land from which they were birthed. One of their current projects is assisting Jim Neuman, History and Heritage Outreach Manager at Commander Navy Region Hawaii, and his team with the USS Arizona Relics Program.
The USS Arizona Relics Program was born in 1995 when Congress authorized the Navy to move pieces of the wreckage out to educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations, said Neuman.
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Construction Electrician 3rd Class Mitchell Labree, a Sailor assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 detachment Hawaii, measures a wooden beam in order to build a shipping crate for a piece of steel salvaged from the USS Arizona, May 7, 2018. (Photo by MC1 Allen Michael McNair)
The program is currently focusing on a part of the Arizona that was removed in the 1950 s due to corrosion and safety concerns. Before its removal it acted as a foundation for a makeshift platform where visitors to the Arizona could stand and where ceremonies could be conducted. It was a precursor to the white memorial structure known and visited today.
The Seabees and Neuman have taken on the responsibility to cut sections of the previously removed portion of the Arizona and ship them to various approved locations.
Mostly people come to us. We have a lot of Pearl Harbor survivors that know about this [effort], said Neuman. They will reach out to local museums and share what they would like to see. As long as you are a legitimate educational institution or not-for-profit and the piece will be on public display, you can acquire a piece.
A sentiment both the Seabees and Neuman have in common is the need to share a piece of history with others.
Because of the amount of time [the section] has been out here, we want to make sure we get as much of it out to the public as possible, said Neuman. It doesn t help for it to sit here and no one get a chance to see it.
Builder 1st Class Christian Guzman, attached to CBMU 303 Detachment Pearl Harbor, who has helped lead the Seabees in this project, appreciates the opportunity for he and his team to recover sections for the public worldwide.
We have a special tie to Pearl Harbor and World War II because that s how we began. It is of historical significance that we, as Seabees, are able to work on the USS Arizona, said Guzman.
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Steelworker 3rd Class Cameron Fields, crew leader at Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303 detachment Hawaii, cuts a piece of steel salvaged from the USS Arizona. (Photo by MC2Allen Michael McNair)
Neuman explained that the Seabees were the obvious choice when considering how to satisfy the different request through the program.
It is Navy history, Navy legacy, so it made sense that if we were going to have somebody actually cutting pieces of the [Arizona] wreckage we should have the Seabees do it, said Neuman. Because of their legacy, what they do historically and their mission, they have enthusiastically embraced it, which I really appreciate.
To date, the Seabees of CBMU 303 Detachment Pearl Harbor have completed three phases of the project. Those phases consisted of cutting and shipping out various sized pieces to: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona, the Panhandle War Memorial in Texas, and the World War II Foundation in Rhode Island.
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Yeoman 3rd Class Stephanie Cortez, Naval Station Newport; Capt. Nick Rapley, Commanding Officer of the Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS); Lt. Stephen Astafan and Chief Petty Officer Andrew Johnson, both also assigned to NSCS, transfer a 200-lb. piece of metal from the USS Arizona from a FedEx delivery truck, into its new home. It arrived this morning directly from Hawaii and was transferred with R.I. State Police Headquarters to the museum, Dec. 17, 2018. (Photo by Kalen Arreola)
They are currently working on phase four which will be shipped to the Imperial War Museum in London, England.
Britain was an ally in World War II. When the Empire of Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, on the USS Missouri, they didn t only surrender to the U.S. they surrendered to the allies as well. They all signed the document so I m thrilled that the museum sees the significance, said Neuman. They want to tell the whole story of World War II, not just the part they played. Visitors to the museum will be able to see part of the USS Arizona, and I think that s great.
The Seabees and Neuman will continue to partner together, work on the removed section of the Arizona and ship pieces out until there is nothing left.
The Seabees are proud to be a part of this undertaking as well as other jobs they execute around the island of Oahu.
We have a whole spectrum of skill sets. This project only showcases a snippet of our diverse capabilities, stated Guzman.