Regimental Histories

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  389th Bombardment Group: a pictorial review of operations in the ETO

  United States Army Air Forces

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to those men who so gallantly and unselfishly gave all they had to give -- their lives -- so that all men might breathe the pure air of freedom.

  Author unknown

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  DZ Europe: the story of the 440th Troop Carrier Group

  United States Army Air Forces

  Foreword

  Since its activation on July 1, 1943, the 440th Troop Carrier Group has developed from a small organization into a powerful and well-trained force with a record that speaks for itself.

  During our eighteen months in the European Theater of Operations we have participated in the paradrops and glider tows that marked the invasions of Normandy and Southern France, the airborne invasion of Holland and the drop across the Rhine.

  We dropped supplies to the surrounded defenders of Bastogne and flew gasoline to the tanks in their dashes across France and Germany. We brought millions of pounds of food, ammunition, medical supplies and fuel to the front lines and evacuated thousands of wounded troops and liberated prisoners of war.

  Our air crews have successfully accomplished every mission assigned to them in spite of enemy action and adverse weather conditions while the ground crews have supported them superbly. We have had our good times and we have watched old friends fall victims of enemy action.

  When deemed necessary the Group has separated into air and ground echelons and moved over four continents to various bases in the United Kingdom, Italy and France in order to fulfill its part toward final victory in Europe.

  It is with sincere pride that I salute the courage and magnificent devotion to duty of the officers and enlisted men of the 440th Troop Carrier Group, whose deeds contributed their full share towards the defeat of Nazi Germany.

  In this book we have told our story. To the men of the Air Force who have watched us in action; the men of the Airborne units we have carried into battle and the men of the Ground Forces whom we have resupplied by air it will bring memories of work done together during some of the most stirring days in history. To the wives, mothers, sweethearts and friends of the men of the 440th it will bring a picture of the activities of their men who, far from home and loved ones, faithfully and brilliantly performed their duties.

  Frank G. Krebs, Colonel, Air Corps, Commanding

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  History of 840th Engineer Aviation Battalion

  United States Army Air Forces

  This is our story -- not all of it -- but that part which printing can tell. No words, no photographs, no souvenirs, no recollections can fully recall nor retell the story of our life together as an organization. Here we have recorded some of the events in which we participated, the many places which, for short periods of time, we called home; our jobs and our accomplishments as constructors in an age of destruction.

  But no page can record our emotions nor our thoughts as we wallowed through the never ending tasks which were our assignments in this conflict. No means of communication can transmit that spirit of hope which aided us to face that seemingly endless series of jobs which always confronted us. No medium can properly portray the worth of the friendships which we knew here, nor express the pleasure of those brief moments when we had a chance to enjoy ourselves. Here then is the story, our story of the thousand days of our lives which we gave to our country.

  John M. Keane, Lt. Col. C.E. Commanding, 840th Engineer Aviation Battalion

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  The Crusaders: a history of the 42nd Bombardment Group (M)

  United States Army Air Forces

  From Chapter 1:

  "The birth and the early creeping of the 42nd Bombardment Group, Medium, may well seem lost in the mists of antiquity that hung over the United States before World War II. Indeed to many of our members, veterans of 60 or 70 missions in the Solomons or in the Indies and Philippines, veterans of the long road home via New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Russells, Stirling, New Guinea --- whether in the air or on the ground -- the early history of the Group is an unknown quantity save for shreds and scraps of information gathered from the casual remarks of "old" oldtimers.

  But if this history is to be a complete narrative of your Group it is necessary to go back almost beyond the memory of the oldest member. To go back, in fact, to January 15, 1941, when according to the official record, "The 42nd Bombardment Group (M) was activated from the 7th Bombardment Group (H), G.H.Q. Air Force, at Fort Douglas, Utah, under the jurisdiction of G.H.Q. Air Force, with cadre furnished by the 7th Bombardment Group (H).""

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  The history of the 487th Bombardment Group, 22 September 1943 to 7 November 1945

  United States Army Air Forces

  Dedication

  The casualties sustained by the men of the 487th Bombardment Group are not, perhaps, greatly significant in a world at war ...

  It is the gallant and indomitable spirit of these several dead, missing, and wounded that is significant in its illboding for all oppressors, in its promise for a better world without war ...

  We dedicate this day to those who contributed without reservation to our common effort ... who cannot be among us to share the commendation they so richly merit.

  Author unknown

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  The record: the eleventh Bombardment Squadron (M)

  United States Army Air Forces

  From page 54:

  "Of the grievances associated with our life at Kweilin, many were trivial and some were imaginary. But one which was real and loomed terribly large was the food. At this time we had no Quartermaster provisions at all -- no milk powdered or canned, no jam or butter, no fruit or juices, no Army rations, no yeast, no cornstarch or baking powder, and no beer! And, while various substitutes were employed, we had no American meat, vegetables, flour, sugar, coffee, salt, pepper or condiments of any description. Nearly everything served in our mess hall was produced within sight of our hostel, and we were living in a notoriously poor section of a very poor country.

  From India, by virtue of occasional ferry-trips, we obtained coffee that was good, but in quantities so limited that it could be served at breakfast only. All of the other substitutes mentioned above were obtained locally, and, except for the salt and pepper, were as poor as the country from which they came.

  The major source of meat was the water buffalo. However, this beast was too valuable to be slaughtered until old age or disease had ended his days as a draft-animal, with the result that the flesh was literally too tough to cut with a knife. A poor grade of pork was obtainable, but was so expensive that it could be served only occasionally. (We were not sympathetic with the boys in other theaters who complained of a monotonous diet of Spam. Any of us would gladly have given a week's pay for a single can of that Stateside delicacy). It would be no exaggeration to say that more than 90 percent of the meat served in our mess hall was not eaten. Were it not for fresh chicken, served about twice a month, it could be said that none of the meat was fit for human consumption. It was brought to us in carts or trucks from the city of Kweilin. Uncovered during the trip, exposed to flies, street filth and the elements, it was a revolting sight even before it was cooked. And mention should be made of the fact that neither in Kweilin nor in our· hostel was there any form of refrigeration."

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  The story of the 73rd: the unofficial history of the 73rd Bomb Wing

  United States Army Air Forces

  From the Introduction

  Before leaving Saipan a number of men with the 73rd Wing and its units expressed a hope that some sort of a history of our organization would be published and made available to all Wing personnel. The Wing historical officer seemed the logical person to do this since he had handled the official history of the Wing which is now on file in Washington. In response to this demand, as well as to other requests received since returning to the States, this volume is prepared. While material in the book is partly borrowed from the official history, it is mostly written and collected now after a few months in the States have mellowed our memories of the Marianas.

  The 73rd Wing, as a whole, was a homogeneous, hard-working organization. Its personnel were cooperative with one another and did a tremendous piece of work on and from Saipan. The Wing was not only the first 20th Air Force organization to hit Tokyo but it also dropped the largest number of bombs on the Japanese Empire and flew the most missions of any of the 20th's five wings.

  To the 15,000 men who went through the months on Saipan, those months were long and hard. While these men may not have actually been in the front lines, the Wing's casualty list of both men and airplanes show that we were a fighting organization. Also our living conditions were far from comfortable most of the time. Our food was sometimes inferior and our quarters were not too good. We were subject to Japanese raids during the early part of the period. Nevertheless, our memories of Saipan will always be close to us.

  While this volume is written primarily from the point of view of the Wing Headquarters itself it should be of interest to all personnel of the Wing's organizations. After all, the Wing did operate as a single unit from Saipan and the groups never did operate independently. The statistics and figures included have to do with the Wing operation as a whole rather than any particular organization. This history will necessarily lack the personal touch that the story of a smaller unit might have. Personalities are pretty much lost in the over-all picture.

  These 73rd Wing organizations included the four tactical groups-the 497th, the 498th, the 499th and the 500th Bombardment Groups. Also there were the four Air Service Groups -- the 65th, 91st, 303rd and 330th. Without these maintenance and engineering specialists and the Service Centers they manned, the Wing would surely have failed.

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  The history of the 71st Infantry Division

  United States Army, Fred Clinger, Arthur Johnston, and Vincent Masel

  Foreword

  V-E Day found combat elements of the 71st Infantry Division poised along the Enns River in the vicinity of Steyr, Austria. The Red Circlers were ready, if necessary, to start out again on the long and arduous drive which had originated 800 miles back in France 59 days earlier.

  Although the officers and men were happy the bloody European conflict had ended, there were no riotous V-E celebrations. War still was raging in the Pacific and the men of the 71st figured they had a good fighting outfit which would be needed in the bitter final struggle.

  The reaction to V-J Day was a little more joyous, but still restrained. Final victory found the 71st with an important security mission in Bavaria, and immediately concentrated many minds on the big question: When will I go home?

  It was in this confused post-war period of rapid redeployment and turnovers in personnel that this volume was prepared and published, in Augsburg, Germany, where the Division CP was located.

  Prepared by members of the Division's public relations staff, with assistance from lower units and other staff sections, this book covers the history of the 71st from activation to final occupation days in Europe. The aim was to make it an interesting book, not only to Red Circlers and their families, but to almost anyone who might happen to pick it up and read it.

  We hope you like this account of one American infantry division's role in World War II.

  Author Unknown

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  The Odyssey of the 1st ARU (F)

  United States Army and Leonard R. Reno

  From an official commendation [abbreviated]:

  The 1st Aircraft Repair Unit (Floating), commanded by Colonel Kingsley, serviced this Wing [313th Bombardment Wing] during the period from 2 February 1945 to 21 July 1945. This Unit aided in third echelon of aircraft maintenance as well as fourth echelon of maintenance.

  The services of this Unit were especially valuable during the initial stages of operation at which time the Wing Service Centers did not have all shop facilities on hand or installed.

  J.H. Davies, Brigadier General, USA, Commanding

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  Indians in the war: burial of a brave

  United States Bureau of Indian Affairs

  From Table of Contents page:

  The material in this pamphlet was collected for the 1945 Memorial Number of Indians at Work, before the magazine was discontinued because of the paper shortage. Many devoted workers spent much time and effort to get these stories, and the photographs which accompany the lists were loaned by the families of the boys whose names will be found here. We wish to express our gratitude to all of those who made this record possible.

  The casualty lists and the lists of awards and decorations continue those begun in Indians at Work for May-June 1943 and carried on in the November-December 1943, May-June 1944, and September-October 1944 issues. They are not complete, and it is hoped that when the peace has come, the whole story of the Indian contribution to the victory may be gathered up into one volume.

  Awards of the Purple Heart have not been indicated here because every soldier wounded in action against the enemy is entitled to the decoration, and the award should be taken for granted.

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  147 NCB: U.S. Naval Construction Battalion

  United States Navy

  Covers primarily the 147th Naval Construction Battalion's time in Okinawa during 1945. Includes a roster of soldiers serving in the battalion.

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  90th USN Construction Battalion; its history and accomplishments, 1943-1945

  United States Navy

  The 90th U. S. Naval Construction Battalion was born at Camp Peary, Virginia on the twenty-fifth day of July, nineteen hundred forty-three, in the blistering hot sun, as those who were there will well remember. As an indication of what was to come later the sun, in all its glory, was appropriate; for the battalion, on its tour of duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, has scarcely ever found the smallest amount of shade!

  From Peary to lwo Jima and V-J Day our stirring saga runs. The inevitable triumph of Allied arms found us deep within the shattered inner perimeter of the Land of the Setting Sun.

  This, The History and Achievements of the 90th United States Naval Construction Battalion, is our LOG.

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  96th Seabeeography

  United States Navy

  At the Naval Construction Training Center, Camp Peary, Williamsburg, Virginia, on the first day of June, 1943, E. H. Honnen, then a Lieutenant Commander, on orders from the base Executive Officer, set up headquarters in Area B-8, and began the formation of the 96th Naval Construction Battalion. In a few days, officers and drafts of men, most of them recently out of basic training, began arriving in the area. Those were busy days.

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  Album USS Bairoko CVE-115

  United States Navy

  Opening Paragraphs

  Bairoko Harbor is a small inlet on the North coast of New Georgia, one of the Solomon Islands. A Spanish navigator, coming upon these islands in 1567, and hopefully believing he had finally touched on the fabled and wealthy lands of the Indies named the group "Ilas de Solomon." Subsequent English explorers claimed part of the group for Britain, and at the outbreak of the war New Georgia was under the English flag.

  During the early part of 1942, in their effort to cut the Allied supply line to Australia, the Japanese seized the Solomons and began the construction of a series of air fields throughout the islands -- at Vila on Kolombangara, at Munda on New Georgia, and on Guadalcanal. Vila and Munda were mutually supporting fields. Bairoko Harbor lay between these two airfields and was the port of supply for Munda.

  By the spring of 1943 Guadalcanal was secure and we had sufficient men and material to open the offensive against New Georgia. On June 30, 1943, Rendova Island was seized and Munda then placed under artillery fire. Marines and Infantry landed on New Georgia. In the heat and muck of the tropical jungle they met a bitter Nip foe enraged at the loss of Guadalcanal. Resistance was particularly strong near Bairoko Harbor. After six weeks of desperate jungle fighting the Munda airstrip was overrun, but Bairoko Harbor did not fall until August 25th. Its seizure marked the end of the fifty -seven day campaign for New Georgia.

  Bairoko signified the end of this early Pacific campaign -- so the name of our ship is a symbol for that final victory which came during her shakedown cruise.

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  Cargo soundings album: April 1944 to November 1945 (28th Special Naval Construction Battalion)

  United States Navy

  Prologue

  Soon after the treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor, the idea was conceived by the Navy Department of forming construction units which would do all construction work overseas that would arise from the exigencies of war. Less than a year later a bottle-neck developed in the unloading of ships which made it obvious that the Navy needed not only experienced builders but capable stevedores, as well. Hurriedly the "Special" Battalions were formed. Their personnel consisting of some life-long stevedores, but in great part, of men who had never before been on a dock for a purpose other than boarding a ship or fishing.

  These battalions came through in the best traditions of the Seabees and the U.S. Naval Service. From Port Hueneme, California, to the Philippines, from Davisville, R. I., to Burma. The "Steve-bees" have, in full battalions, detachments and units, performed miracles in speed of loading and unloading supply ships.

  The 28th Special Naval Construction Battalion is typical of the fast-working, efficient, stevedoring outfits that have done so much to facilitate the logistic angle of the war effort. At Pearl Harbor it received commendations for its speed and capability, for its record-breaking handling of all possible manner of cargo. In the Philippines it continued its excellent work. Soon after V-J Day the battalion moved to Japan, where it was decommissioned.

  When the 28th Special landed at the Philippine Islands, it found nothing in the form of living quarters waiting for them. A camp had to be built from scratch and there was no one around to do it but the stevedores themselves. The men fell to the job with a vengeance, determined to prove their versatility. Following in the footsteps of a Construction Battalion, they built a camp that was generally conceded to be among the best on the island.

  It is to these men who have sweated on the docks through all hours of the day and night; who have outdone themselves in an unaccustomed construction job that this book, the story of their lives in the 28th SI'ecial, is respectfully dedicated.

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  Contrast: the story of the the Fifth Special Naval Construction Battalion

  United States Navy

  This is the story of a Seabee Special Battalion, a rigger or stevedoring battalion, whose principal function in the Navy of World War II was the working of the vital cargo and materiel necessary for the prosecution of the War.

  Special battalions were not permanently employed on Stateside duty; that was a job for civilians. Like all Seabee units, the Specials were rigidly trained and indoctrinated for overseas duty and the inevitable hazards of war. They became the life blood, the dominating force of the supply lines, radiating from Allied ports of loading to the front lines of the farthest theaters of war. Participating in actual invasions, they helped conquer new territory for their supply line, then maintained those extensions as our forces pushed forward toward the enemies' homelands. Ships and craft of every size and denomination, flying the flags of every Allied nation, were worked by the Seabee stevedores, the Special battalions.

  This, then, is the story of one of those stevedoring battalions, and it chronicles its wanderings from its birthplace in Virginia across the United States; its duty in the frozen wastelands of the Aleutian Islands and the farthest Arctic outpost at Point Barrow; its return to the States for rehabilitation and re-assignment; and finally, its tour of duty in the South and Central Pacific. From Point Barrow to New Guinea, from Virginia to the Philippines-thousands of miles, months that stretched into years, are written into this history, a story not only of the battalion but of the men, the individuals themselves, who loaned that part of their lives to the service of their country that this history might be written.

  It is to them, then, the men of the Fifth Special Naval Construction Battalion, that this history of their outfit is dedicated.

  Frank L. Holland, Lieutenant-Commander, USNR, Officer-in-Charge

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  Eighty-second U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, 1943-1945

  United States Navy

  Preface

  "This book or album is an attempt to provide a pictorial history of the activities of the 82nd U.S. Naval Construction Battalion. While it may contain a goodly number of pictures, we regret that more were not available and that some of the events associated with the outfit and work are not included. Many of the Battalion films and negatives were unusable because of the tropical heat, accidents, and lack of cooling facilities for developers and fixers. Many subjects, which might have been included, were not taken because there were considered military and suitable only for official reports. While some events may have been caught by individuals with "illegal" cameras, most of the negatives had been mailed "Stateside" and the available prints were too small for copying and enlargement.

  There are practically no pictures of activities on Vella Lavella because the small contingent had no assigned photographer. We wish to express our appreciation to the 58th USNCB which has so kindly supplied us with some material from its files. Likewise, we are grateful to the 87th USNCB for some of the material concerning the Stirling Island strip.

  We have done as much as we could with what we had. We have tried conscientiously to make the roster and address section correct in order that it may be of value to you. It is correct as of July 15, 1946. We sincerely hope that this book will provide you with many memories of your life with the "Fighting 82nd" and the immeasurable contributions and uncountable sacrifices which you made to help the armed forces of the United States achieve victory."

  -The Staff

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  Log of the U.S.S. General Leroy Eltinge (AP-154)

  United States Navy

  From The Ship and Her Travels

  On February 21st, 1945, the General Leroy Eltinge was comissioned at San Francisco. When we fell in on top of Hatch No. 5 for the ceremony, the band was playing and visitors were gathered in the 20mm. gun tubs. The ship was presented to Captain Wakefield and he replied with a short speech of thanks. After the chaplain gave the benediction, the commissioning pennant was run up.

  We were through with ceremony and ready for work. There was plenty of that -- we went across the bay and loaded stores for 48 backbreaking hours in an all hands evolution. During the days that followed there was much to be done to get things "squared away" in readiness for the shakedown cruise. At last, on March 4th, we got underway for San Pedro. On the way down we held speed runs, gunnery exercises, and dozens of other tests to find out everything we could about our new ship. And everything went well. After we reached San Pedro we went out for more gunnery exercises and for simulated strafing attacks and things still went well. We were ready for sea.

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  Log of the U.S.S. Oglethorpe

  United States Navy

  The U.S.S. Oglethorpe (AKA-1 00), was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, for the U. S. Maritime Service, and converted to the U. S. Naval Service under current emergency war acts. The keel of the vessel was laid on December 26, 1944, and the ship was launched April 15, 1945. Mrs. Ellsworth Buck·, wife of Representative Buck of New York, sponsored the ship at launching. The ship is named for Oglethorpe County, Georgia, which in turn, was named in honor of James Oglethorpe, founder of the State of Georgia. The vessel was completed on June 4, 1945, made its trial runs on 4 and 5 June, 1945, was accepted by the U. S. Navy on June 5, 1945, and commissioned for duty on June 6, 1945, at Pier "J", Berth 15, U. S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. The ship's company was on board at the time of commissioning.

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  Log of the U.S.S. Oglethorpe

  United States Navy

  The U.S.S. Oglethorpe (AKA-100), was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, for the U. S. Maritime Service, and converted to the U. S. Naval Service under current emergency war acts. The keel of the vessel was laid on December 26, 1944, and the ship was launched April 15, 1945. Mrs. Ellsworth Buck, wife of Representative Buck of New York, sponsored the ship at launching. The ship is named for Oglethorpe County, Georgia, which in turn, was named in honor of James Oglethorpe, founder of the State of Georgia. The vessel was completed on June 4, 1945, made its trial runs on 4 and 5 June, 1945, was accepted by the U. S. Navy on June 5, 1945, and commissioned for duty on June 6, 1945, at Pier "J", Berth 15, U.S. Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York. The ship's company was on board at the time of commissioning.

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  Log of the U.S.S. Richard P. Leary

  United States Navy

  At 1500 February 23, 1944, the U.S.S. Richard P. Leary (DD-664) was placed in commission by Captain R. C. Grady, USN (Ret.), in Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts. Commander Frederic S. Habecker, USN assumed command. This vessel was named for the late Rear Admiral Richard P. Leary, USN and was built at the Navy Yard, Boston Massachusetts, the keel having been laid on 4 July 1943. The launching took place on 6 October 1943.

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  Service record of the 145th Naval Construction Battalion, 1943-1944-1945

  United States Navy

  This book is uploaded into two parts to accommodate quicker download rates.

  From A Batt is Born (the book's introduction):

  As the sunrise dispersed the chill early morning mists from over Camp Peary, Virginia, on the morning of 15 November, 1943, a momentous event was in the making. Old Doc Stork circled thru B-10 area, hopped into Replacement, dipped thru Ship's Company area, and laboriously dumped his mountainous load with a resounding thud into Area A-7. The 145th Naval Construction Battalion was born.

  Little did the infant suspect the experiences on the long rough road ahead of it ... a journey that would occupy two years and would take it to Japan's front door and back.

  And so it was with a naive and strictly Gl "Here Sir" that we answered our first muster at Camp Peary. It was with the enthusiasm of the uninitiated that we marched to the trains in tempo with a band, and set out on November 20, 1943.

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  Straddled: A short history of the U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay

  United States Navy

  THE U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay (CVE 70) was commissioned December 9, 1943, at Astoria, Oregon, less than seven months after the keel was laid by Kaiser Company in Vancouver, Washington. Named for a bay in Southeastern Alaska, she is the first Naval vessel to bear that name. Like other Casablanca class escort carriers, the Fanshaw Bay was built from designs never intended for a combat vessel, yet she carried her crew through the longest operational period sustained by any escort carrier.

  Dedication

  Wherever the Fanshaw Bay shall sail again in the reminiscences of her old crew, she will carry with her the memory of those gallant men who have answered their last call to flight quarters. To the twenty-four men killed in action and to the fourteen missing airmen this history of the Fannie Bee is humbly dedicated.

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  The Blackjack, 1944-1945: a story about and published by the 21st U.S. Naval Construction Battalion

  United States Navy

  From the Foreword

  For three years these men have adjusted their individual characters, their own ways of doing things, their very natures to that vague method of procedure called "The Navy Way." It is at once the most efficient and most bungling method of getting things done. It is a conglomerate of logical procedure mixed with hopeless muddling, sound economy with profligate waste, rank incompetency with expert performance, nonsensical methods of operation with excellent results. Men exposed to the Navy Way for three years have drunk the dregs of despair and tasted the wine of life at its fullest. They have seen life at its worst and at its best. Men so exposed will never be the same. Such are the men of the Twenty-First.

  This is our story. This is the story of the 21st U. S. Naval Construction Battalion, the 21st Seabees, the Blackjacks -- one of those groups of a thousand-odd men who helped to build and fight the way to the defeat of Japan. We were just one battalion, and thousands of battalions and millions of men and women made up our armed forces. Maybe our part was small in the whole history of the war, but we saw to it that this part was done with a let's-get-it-over-with-quickly, "Can Do" energy.

  These words and pictures are mostly about our second tour of overseas duty -- our work in the Central and Western Pacific. Before this came our first "cruise" in the Aleutians.

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  The earthmover: a chronicle of the 87th Seabee Battalion in World War II

  United States Navy

  This book is divided into two parts to accommodate quicker download speed.

  Foreword

  This volume is essentially the overall story, in log form, of the 87th U. S. Naval Construction Battalion- a hard-working Seabee outfit, which did everything asked and expected of it from the Solomons through war's sudden end on Okinawa. It is, of course, no better or worse than the approximately 1,300 officers and men who carved out its multiple achievements with their sweat, blood and, at times, even tears.

  This trip book has been designed to cover the period between 20 February 1943 and 9 October 1945 -- a span of approximately 31 1/2 months. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken between 9 October and 7 November when the remaining 361 men finally embarked for the States in their twenty-seventh month overseas. The photographer and assisants had all gone home. The story of the tour has been purposely kept vague or general so that each man might be free to relate his version of the sequence of events as he saw them.

  This publication has been prepared for the men of the 87th, their families and friends and is not intended for general publication or circulation. Moreover, the opinions expressed in this volume are those of the editors and their staff and are not intended to reflect those of the Navy Department or the service at large.

  Every reasonable effort has been made to keep the written portions of this trip book as objective as possible. And an honest effort has been exerted throughout to make the book as factually accurate as existing facilities for assembling and checking information would permit.

  However, conceived and launched just prior to leaving New Caledonia and finished in foxholes and amid post-war confusion on Okinawa, the job, a spare-time project until 12 August 1945 , was accomplished under just the worst circumstances imaginable.

  At its best, THE EARTHMOVER could never hope to depict the overall impact inflicted on each man during the several years spent on these far-flung Pacific islands. but the editors herewith submit it as a fair resume of the 87th's role in World War II.