U.S. Navy Seabees in WW2 - "They Came to an Island" - 1946

The Seabees, "The United States Naval Construction Battalions," played a key role in World War II by constructing essential military infrastructure under combat conditions in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. The Seabees were formed in 1942 early in World War II, in response to the need for a construction force capable of performing essential construction while defending themselves in combat. Their motto was, "We Build, We Fight." Initially constituted from civilian construction workers, the Seabees quickly adapted to military life. Many recruits were already experienced workers, often older than the average military age, with the first battalions being made up mostly of men in their late 30s and 40s. Seabees constructed over 400 advanced bases, including airstrips, roads, and support facilities. They were vital in the "island-hopping" campaigns in the Pacific, enabling U.S. forces to advance across far flung islands while establishing critical supply and communication lines. The Seabees were active in key battles such as Guadalcanal, where they constructed Henderson Field, a crucial airstrip that allowed the Allies to gain air superiority, and in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, where they were among the first troops to land doing demolition. They faced direct fire clearing obstacles and establishing beachheads including temporary docking facilities. They received basic combat training and in the Pacific the Seabees often fought alongside Marines. By the end of World War II, nearly 325,000 men had served in the Seabees, and they were credited with building infrastructure that was essential to victory. This film was digitally restored to close to its original condition when shown in theaters. Zeno We license our footage! Visit our aviation DVD store at http://www.zenosflightshop.com for the World's largest selection of World War 2, Cold War & vintage jet aircraft aviation videos at affordable "publisher direct" prices.