Did You Know?:

SEABEES fought and died with the first U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima?

John Ratomski, son of a WWII Seabee on Iwo Jima, writes:

For the last 7 years I have been helping the 133rd NCB- Seabees who are still trying to get the Presidential Unit Citation For Iwo-Jima. Here are the Facts.

The Fourth Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the Iwo-Jima battle and the 133rd NCB was Not although:

1. The 133rd NCB became an actual part of the 4th Marine Division on November 1, 1944, until March 1945. Wearing Marine uniforms and subject to Marine rules and regulations.

2. The 133rd was not a support unit, but was used as a Marine Pioneer Battalion during the battle.

3. The 133rd NCB and the Marine 4th Pioneer Battalion both became shore parties for the 23rd and 25th Regimental Combat Teams of the 4th Marine Division for the assault phase on Iwo-Jima. Official Battle Plans on record show this.

4. The entire 133rd landed with the first waves and suffered 37% percent casualties (370), higher than any Seabee battalion in history.

5. The 133rd's casualties exceeded the casualties of the 4th Pioneer Battalion (189), on the adjoining beaches. The 4th Pioneers were awarded the citation - the 133rd was not.

There were six Seabee Battalions that received the PUC during WWII. All of them had far less casualties than the 133rd. The 133rd NCB wore its uniform proudly as Navy, and wore its uniform proudly as Marines. They served them both with great distinction. They earned and deserve the recognition that is still not theirs!

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