Authorized on January 5, 1942, and officially established and named on March 5, 1942, the Navy's construction battalions—the world-renowned Seabees—have distinguished themselves in a half century of service in construction and combat.

In World War II, the Seabees constructed more than 400 advance bases, some accommodating 50,000 men, and housing facilities for 1.5-million personnel. They built air bases, shipyards, port and harbor works, training facilities, ammunition plants, fuel depots, floating and graving docks of all sizes. They accomplished this Herculean task often under hostile fire. Under the leadership of Civil Engineer Corps officers, more than 150 battalions were formed during the war, with a peak strength of a quarter-million men.

The Seabees have distinguished themselves through their critical role in Korea, Vietnam and, most recently, during DESERT STORM in the Persian Gulf. Seabees continue to play an important role today in the U.S. Navy as builders, engineers and humanitarians under their motto, “Seabees Can Do!” The commissioned officers of the Civil Engineer Corps are the engineers and architects who manage the Navy's shore facilities and who oversee the construction and maintenance of the shore establishment. In addition, they command the field forces that construct advance bases for support of Marine and Navy operations around the world.

Relief sponsored by past and present Seabees, officers of the Navy Civil Engineering Corps, and organizations such as the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The sculptor for the relief, Leo C. Irrera, served in the Seabees in World War II.