This U.S. airfield along the shores of a Pacific island was constructed by members of a U.S.

This U.S. airfield along the shores of a Pacific island was constructed by members of a U.S. Navy combat construction battalion (The Seabees). The Seabees, who were officially inaugurated on December, 1941, were first used to build fuel bases on the supply line to Australia. Since then, they have moved in from the Aleutians to North Africa, wherever roads, airstrips or fuel bases were needed. If necessary, these men can defend themselves, for they are toughened and trained to use any weapon from a knife to a machine gun. Altogether , there are 197 battalions, each made up of 1,081 enlisted men and 33 officers. Some battalions are trained for construction, some for maintenance, other for special work such as unloading ships. PME. RESERVICED BY LONDON OQI (FILES) CERTIFIED AS PASSED BY SHAEF CENSOR