Question:

Dear Sir;

I have an Uncle that served in the Navy Seabees during WW-2 and I am making a gift for him to honor him for the up-coming WW-2 Memorial Dedication.

He once told me of a "Latin Motto" for the Seabees, but I have been unable to find any information about it. If there is such a motto, I would like to add it to my project.

I would be very grateful for any and all help you can give.

Thank you for your great service to our Country, and may God Bless you always.

Jim Kent
USMC Ret.

America...Land of the Free, BECAUSE of the Brave!

Stormin' Normand replies:

Jim, The latin motto you refer to is "Construimis, Batuimus" which translates to "We build, We fight", the simplest expression of what the U. S. Navy SEABEES have done for over sixty years since first being formed early in World War Two. This motto was carefully chosen by RADM. Ben Moreell, Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks in 1942, (now Naval Facilities Engineering Command), and the father of the SEABEES.

Over time, the SEABEES have acquired several other unofficial mottos. First and foremost is "Can Do", to represent the spirit of the Navy SEABEES accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks under the worst conditions imaginable, either under fire in wartime or as part of the "Cold War" and other peacetime activities.

In recognition of the ongoing humanitarian aid missions of the SEABEES, an unofficial expanded version appeared as "With compassion for others, we build,..We fight for peace with freedom". Still another SEABEE motto was added at some time later which reads:

"With willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once...the impossible takes a bit longer".

Rounding out the subject of mottos is my personal favorite which echoes the motto of the USMC, comrades-in-arms and major customers of SEABEE services.

It goes like this:

"Semper Gumby"...Always Flexible!

Photos and descriptions of your gift to honor your uncle would be great to add to our site at a future date. Good luck in your labor of love to honor a True American, one who earned the title the hard way!

OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE seabeesinfohq.org E-Mail seabees@seabeesinfohq.org