Seabees are members of construction battalions of the United States Navy. The name comes from sounding out the initials of its official name, Construction Battalion (CB). Seabees build and repair overseas bases to support Navy and Marine Corps forces. They are also trained to defend what they build. They have built bases from the tropics to the polar regions, and their work includes projects such as airfields and waterfront facilities.
The first battalion of Seabees was authorized on Jan. 5, 1942. During World War II (1939-1945), most Seabees were experienced carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and engineers. They earned a reputation for effectiveness on such islands as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Guam. In 1947, the Seabees were made a permanent part of the U.S. Navy.
