79th USN Construction Battalion
OFFICER IN CHARGE
From The Seventy-Ninth United States Naval
Construction Battalion Cruise Book, p.7:
"THE CONSTRUCTION BATTALIONS were formed as the direct outgrowth of
the need for building and maintaining Naval Shore establishments for servicing the
fighting forces of the Navy and their auxiliaries. At the outbreak of the present
war it was found that civilian contractor organizations were unsuited to work outside the
continental limits of the U. S., particularly in areas of combat. So the now famous
Seabees were originated; first on a limited trial scale, and later increased to their
present strength of approximately a quarter million officers and men.
The Seventy-Ninth Battalion was activated about midway of the expansion program,
and after training took its place among the battalions servicing in the Alaskan Sector.
At first we were assigned to an existing Construction Regiment but were soon
detached and assigned to base maintenance with the additional responsibility of completing
a construction program. This arrangement gave us a definite work program and placed
the responsibility of its prosecution squarely up to the battalion.
A brief discussion of the problems involved in the battalion's functioning and the
nature of their solutions is in order. First and foremost the battalion's internal
organization had to be set up to function smoothly in order that the job at hand could
receive maximum manpower and effort. Fortunately most of the groundwork of
organization had been accomplished before arriving at the advanced base. However,
there was still the problem of placing the proper men in the proper assignments. The
organization for continued military training had to be set up, and the training program
fitted in to work assignments in such a manner as to permit maximum training and minimum
of conflict with the work. Also various activities necessary for the internal
functioning of the battalion had to be organized and developed. In all of these
activities, the Officer-in-Charge has delegated responsibility and authority freely and
has been rewarded by excellent results. Almost without exception the personnel of
the battalion has shown a willingness to undertake any and all jobs with a determined
spirit and have exhibited the necessary skill and knowledge to successfully accomplish the
end in view. Rewards for the energy and efficiency of the individual men have been
made in the form of advancements in rating. These necessarily had to be within a
specific allowance and some deserving advancements could not be given.
The Officer-in-Charge is confident that the general average of the 79th Battalion,
measured by ability, conscientious devotion to duty and the successful prosecution of the
work assignment, is among the highest in all the Seabee organization. It is realized
that this is a very broad statement, especially when one considers the very high standard
set by many other battalions. We have reason to be proud that we have served with a
degree of efficiency that upholds the high regard in which the construction battalions are
held by the forces afloat and by other branches of the armed services."
Lieutenant Commander Alec T. Brown,
Officer in Charge |
