January 1, 1944. Work was secured for the day, with another special dinner and the distribution of Red Cross parcels, which had been scheduled for Christmas, but delayed en route.
March 1, 1944. Two hundred thirty-two men under Lt J. R. Fleischmann and three junior officers were detached and embarked for completion of a job far to the west.
April 10, 1944. Ensign C. I. Coy was taken aboard to replace Lt (jg) Fay who was detached for new duties in the States.
April 15, 1944. The third fatality of the Battalion occurred when James W. Munsey, Jr., was accidentally killed while in the line of duty.
May 30, 1944. The anniversary of our first year on Island X was commemorated with work secured at 1130, a special dinner, and a softball game in the afternoon.
June 21, 1944. Physical fitness program. begun, with calisthenics, drill, and hikes, which brought on many sore and aching muscles, following the softening process of the winter.
July 4, 1944. Work secured and drill teams participated in competitive exhibitions, with a field day of sports, and an eleven-card prize fight completing the day.
August 30, 1944. That long-awaited day finally arrived, and half the Battalion embarked on a nine-day cruise on the USS Carl Schurz to the States, leaving the ‘key’ men in possession of the island. An uneventful trip, except for several days of exceptionally rough weather, which was soon forgotten. But the one moment that shall forever remain in the memory of the men, was the first view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Never has a scene made a more profound impression.
October 1, 1944. The more than 500 ‘key’ men who’d been held over on Island X, finally had their desires fulfilled, when the USS Schurz docked and they were allowed to go aboard. Their nine-day cruise was also without incident, except that rougher water was encountered they too have an indelible picture of the Golden Gate, which to many is as symbolic of home as the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The cruise ended with a fitting commendation from the Commander of the Base, Lannie Conn which is in part quoted: The officers and enlisted men of the 85th Naval Construction Battalion have established an outstanding record in the discharge of their many and varied assignments. The Battalion has displayed exceptional industry initiative, and judgment at all times, evincing complete loyalty and cooperation. On the termination of the Battalion’s tenure of duty, the Commander, NOB, commends each officer and man for a job well done.
The 85-NCB in the New Hebrides
On the morning of March 6, 1945, the 85th US Naval Construction Battalion embarked on its second tour of duty from Port Hueneme, California aboard the USS Seabase bound for a destination unknown but certainly highly speculated. The troopship jammed with personnel ran into seas on the first night out. This carried with it the usual consequences. As the voyage progressed, however, the nauseated feeling subsides and the daily battle of the chow line began.
After nearly 14 days on the high seas, the Seabase arrived in the New Hebrides at the Island of Espiritu Santo. Debarkation of the men was commenced as soon as possible. The cool drizzling rain that fell during the land operations seemed refreshing to all of the cramped and weary men who had spent days in the sweltering equatorial sun. Immediately after descending the gangplank, a truck convoy transported the new arrivals to the 85-NCB camp area. Before the men could stop to investigate the tropical island with all its, then-novel appearances, the battalion started on its assignment.
At the first muster, the job assigned to the battalion was explained to the men and the necessary plans that were formulated were put into operation. The personnel staff acted promptly by getting all records in order and selecting the right men for the right job. The main job assigned to the battalion consisted of the demobilization of existing facilities and minor base maintenance work. A tank farm, a drydock, and several camp areas were razed and created for use elsewhere.
The climate was mildest at the time of the battalion’s tour of duty here. However, it was far from ideal at times and the work accomplished considering such conditions, was worthy of praise. Many important events took place during the six months that elapsed while the 85-NCB was on Esperitu Santo – notably the victory in Europe and then at last the momentous news of the capitulation of Japan.
At the war’s end, the work at Esperitu Santo was near enough completed to move to another assignment. This new task turned out to be the construction of the Naval Air Base Wake. So it was that the first of the four ships transferring the battalion personnel departed from the shores of Santo on September 12, 1945.
The 85-NCB Arrives at Wake Island
The 85th US Naval Construction Battalion arrived at Wake Island in the early part of October to partake in the reconstruction of an Island whose bloody defense by a gallant band of Marines in December 1941 will go down in the annals of history as one of the finest defensive battles of the recently ended war. The conditions encountered upon its arrival could hardly be considered enviable due to the evident neglect of the Island by the Japanese garrison, cut off from all outside supply except possibility through submarine channels, were slowly but surely dying from starvation, malnutrition, dysentery, and many other diseases. It was apparent, therefore, that the battalion already weakened by demobilization loss, found a task of tremendous proportions.
Shortly after its arrival here, Commander Albert G. Hillberg, Civil Engineer Corps, US Naval Reserve, replaced the battalion’s former skipper, Commander Thomas J. Lewis, Civil Engineer Corps, US Naval Reserve, and the immense job of reconstruction was begun. It would be impossible to name all of the jobs that were undertaken during the battalion’s stay here but to those of you who worked on them week after week, rain or shine, it is certain that will not soon be forgotten.
Whether you worked on the concrete crew or drove a vehicle for transportation or whatever other jobs you were employed at each and every one of you played an important part in converting Wake Island from the shambles that it was to the functioning Air Bas that it is now. Our Christmas holiday on Wake was but a squad reminder of the happier days we usually spent at home and although a fine Christmas diner was prepared, to compensate at least partially for the inconveniences that were inevitable, there were certain things for which there could be no substitute. Our job now completed, we can return home knowing we have done our utmost to live up to the true tradition of the Seabees: Can Do, Will Do, Have Done.
85th Naval Construction Battalion – Chronology
First Tour Duty
January 09, 1943: Battalion formed at NCTC, Norfolk, Va., 1083 men and 26 officers.
February 06, 1943: Battalion commissioned at NCTC, Norfolk, Va., 1083 men and 26 officers.
February 08, 1943: Transferred to NCTC, Davisville, R.I., 1083 men, and 26 officers.
February 09, 1943: Arrived at NCTC, Davisville, R.I.
April 13, 1943: Departed NCTC, Davisville, R.I., 1068 men and 26 officers.
April 16, 1943: Arrived ABD, Gulfport, Miss.
May 01, 1943: Departed ABD, Gulfport, Miss. for ABD, Port Hueneme, Ca., 1062 men and 26 officers.
May 06, 1943: Arrived at ABD, Port Hueneme, California.
May 16, 1943: Baker Co detached, forming 509 CBMU, 250 men, and 4 officers.
May 20, 1943: Departed ABD, Port Hueneme, Ca., for Seattle, Wa. 812 men and 22 officers.
May 22, 1943: Arrived, in Seattle, Washington.
May 25, 1943: Departed Seattle, Wa., for overseas, 810 men and 22 officers.
May 30, 1943: Arrived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
November 01, 1943: CBMU 508 attached to Battalion at Baker Co.
March 07, 1944: Detachment sent to Attu, Alaska, 234 men and 4 officers.
August 31, 1944: Detachment at Attu rejoined the Battalion at Dutch Harbor.
August 31, 1944: First Echelon sailed from the US, 500 men and 11 officers.
September 09, 1944: First Echelon arrived at CBRD, Camp Parks, California.
October 01, 1944: Second Echelon sailed for the US, 544 men and 14 officers.
October 11, 1944: Second Echelon arrived CBRD, Camp Parks, California.
Second Tour Duty
January 22, 1945: Departed CBRD, Camp Parks, California, with 1083 men, and 25 officers.
January 23, 1945: Arrived ABD, Port Hueneme, California.
January 27, 1945: Detachment sent to Coronado, California, 89 men, and 10 officers.
January 30, 1945: Detachment sent to Thennal, California, 209 men and 4 officers.
February 14, 1945: Det. returned from Thennal, Ca., joining Battalion at Port Hueneme, Ca.
February 15, 1945: Det. returned from Coronado, Ca., joining Battalion at Port Hueneme, Ca.
March 06, 1945: Departed ABD, Port Hueneme, Ca., for overseas, 1063 men and 25 officers.
March 19, 1945: Arrived in Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
June 18, 1945: Still located at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.
Additional Info & Images
https://argusunits.files.wordpress.com
https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu
https://www.life.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williwaw
https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/aleutian-islands-port-4610
https://news.lib.wvu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/grove.jpg
