1941: (Featured Image) After the execution of civilian construction contractors who fought alongside the Marines on Wake Island until their capture by the Japanese, the Navy’s Chief of Bureau of Yards and Docks, Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, requests that Naval construction battalions be created. The teams would be capable of building anything, anywhere, under any conditions, at any time, and – if necessary – picking up weapons and fighting.
U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven Four (NMCB-74) help clean up a section of highway near Fallujah, Iraq.
The famous Seabees have been born. In the Pacific Theater alone, they construct 111 major air fields, over 300 bases, and countless roads, bridges, and facilities. Just two years after their founding, Admiral Ernest King will write that “Your ingenuity and fortitude have become a legend in the naval service.”
1944: In Belgium, the Allies begin gaining ground during their counter-offensive in the Battle of the Bulge. Against the advice of his generals, who believe that further progress is impossible, Adolf Hitler orders renewed offensives in the Ardennes and Alsace.
1982: 40 years after being launched, the Iowa-class battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) is re-commissioned for the third – and final – time, after refitting the ship to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles. The “Big J” will finally be taken out of service following Operation “Desert Storm” in 1991.
USS New Jersey (BB-62)
1990: In preparation for “Desert Storm”, the aircraft carriers USS America (CV-66) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) deploy from Norfolk, Va., joining USS Ranger (CV-61) and USS Midway (CV-41) in the Persian Gulf, and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) in the Red Sea.
USS America (CV-66)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Ranger (CV-61)
USS Midway (CV-41)
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS Saratoga (CV-60)
