The BEES Swarm Inchon

At the end of World War II, the Seabees, which had been a temporary reserve force created for wartime, reduced in number from over 250,000 at the height of the war to less than 10,000 by the end of 1946. What was once a force of over 500 units diminished to three Naval Construction Battalions and 26 Construction Battalion Detachments spread out across the globe. Two battalions evolved to construct bases and perform pontoon operations with one battalion located on each coast. It was from this diminished stance that the Seabees swarmed into action to take part in the Invasion of Inchon on 15 September 1950.

Origins of War

The Korean War began after years of violent altercations along the border that escalated to war. On 25 June 1950, approximately 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army crossed over the 38^th parallel between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south.

Seabees deployed with ACB-1 working on pontoon causeways, circa fall 1950.

Shortly after the Surrender of Japan at the end of WWII, the US and Soviet Union agreed to divide the Korean Peninsula, which had been a Japanese possession, at the 38^th parallel with the Soviet Union administering the north and the United States administering the south. In 1948, the north became a socialist state under the control of Communist leader Kim Il-Sung, while the south became a capitalist state under the presidency of Syngman Rhee. Both leadership parties claimed to be the sole legitimate party of all Korea, with neither accepting the border as a permanent divider.

The United Nations Security Council denounced the invasion by North Korea, authorized the creation of a UN Command, and approved the dispatching of forces to defend South Korea. Twenty-one countries joined the UN force with the US providing approximately 90% of the military personnel.

The Seabees Swarm Again

In August 1950, the personnel and equipment of the 104^th Naval Construction Battalion, soon to be re-designated Amphibious Construction Battalion One, embarked aboard transports for Yokosuka, Japan. The Seabees spent months assembling pontoon formations and staging equipment for the invasion. In early September, the Seabees embarked on amphibious assault ships as part of the Task Force assigned to take part in the Inchon landing.

Causeways and barges were loaded “side-carry” on LSTs and heavy-duty cranes, bulldozers, and equipment were loaded onto the ships. Crews linked warping tugs and dock sections into long tows for the voyage. Within 8 days, the Seabees were underway headed for Inchon.

Invasion of Inchon – photograph from the water inland, circa September 1950.

Invasion of Inchon

On the morning of 15 September, the Marine Landing Force made its assault at Inchon. An hour and a half after the first Marines hit the beach, Seabees hurriedly laid down a 400-foot pontoon pier and causeway that enabled amphibious troops and their equipment to pour ashore.

Seabees working on a Rhino Ferry near pontoon causeway, Inchon, circa 1950.

Seabees dodged intermittent rifle fire from snipers while setting to work installing causeways and piers. All the while straining against a four-knot current and a tremendous thirty-foot tidal range, which made linking the causeways together challenging.

Seabees survey area surrounding Inchon, Korea, circa 1950.

Once the causeways were installed and in working order, the construction company from the 104^th NCB worked to build a camp on Opal Beach consisting of 50 tents, a galley, a mess hall, and head, all built in eight hours. Builders set up range towers on Wolmi-do to guide ships navigating in the unknown harbor. Another group of Seabees installed temporary wiring, hauled water from 8-miles away, and set up a theater for 1000 men.

Seabees with ACB-1 in newly built bunker, Inchon, circa 1950.

The Great Seabee Train Robbery

In one of the Seabees most infamous actions, on D-Day plus seven, a patrol of six chiefs and four enlisted men with railroad experience volunteered to go inland to locate several locomotives located at the Kirin beer station. Making their way to the station under sniper fire most of the way, the Seabees recaptured eight locomotives – and possibly fifteen kegs of Korean beer – which they procured to take back to Inchon in an effort to move quickly supplies and equipment inland to awaiting forces.

During the Korean Conflict, the Seabees earned the Presidential Unit Citation, nine of the ten authorized Korean engagement stars, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. The Seabees deployed with the 104^th Naval Construction Battalion, re-designated Amphibious Construction Battalion One in October 1950, showed once again that Seabees are ready, anywhere, anytime and always demonstrate their CAN-DO spirit, ingenuity, and expertise no matter the task at hand.

CBD 1804 offloading supplies in Pohang Harbor, circa fall 1950.

Seabees help recover damaged aircraft, fall 1950.

Seabees leave Inchon, circa 1950.

Archivist Attic – “Acey Bone” Serves Steaks on Planes

In 1952 Wonsan, a key supply and transportation center for the enemy, fell back into the hands of communist Korea. While fighting to regain essential territory, severely damaged naval aircraft were being forced to either ditch at sea or land behind enemy territory. The Navy need to locate a safe place for them to land. Just as luck would have it “Acey Bone” (ACBONE), the familiar name of Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE, was on the job! They managed to build a lifesaving airstrip quicker than you can cook dinner.

Emergency landing strip on Wolmi Do Island.

Carrier-based Navy aircraft, making daily attacks on the city of Wonson, were frequently damaged to the degree that pilots had to choose between ditching at sea or landing in enemy-held territory. These losses made finding a safe solution in Allied territory imperative. In June 1952, Vice Admiral P.R. Briscoe directed “Acey Bone” to construct an emergency air strip on Yodo Island in Wonsan Harbor. The small, hilly island had remained behind enemy lines after the Wonsan evacuation, but appeared so unimportant that the North Koreans never took it over. Within easy shelling range of the mainland, it was the perfect place for the Seabees to build the much needed air-strip.

Emergency landing strip on Wolmi Do Island from the side.

A rapid survey showed that there was only one possible location for the airstrip, a low level area used by the Koreans for rice paddies. After bringing in equipment and supplies “Acey Bone” started construction. Drilling, blasting, filling and grading of the hilly area took just nineteen days to complete. The brand new airstrip was 2,400 feet long and went from one side of the island to the other.

On the twentieth day the code message the “Steak Is Ready,” was declared signaling that the airstrip was ready to be used.. This pre-arranged signal was acted on immediately by no less than nine Corsair pilots who all landed on the new field the very first day it was completed.

Photograph of members of Acey Bone (ACBONE), the familiar name of Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE, after the invasion.

Despite the ease with which the island could be shelled and the constant need for filling shell holes in the airstrip, operations continued for a year. The airfield was named “Briscoe Field” in honor of Vice Admiral P.R. Briscoe. During this time, Navy and Air Force aircraft, valued at over ten million dollars, were saved by utilizing the emergency airstrip and over sixty pilots were spared the choice between capture and ditching at sea.

Once again “Acey Bone” showed the true Can Do! Spirt of the Seabees by not only providing a place to land, but doing so in style!

 

Meet the Archivist: Ingi House

Meet the Archivist: Ingi House

Ingi House is originally from Kansas where she got her B.A. in history from the University of Kansas and M.L.S. from Emporia State University. After working for the Dole Institute of Politics she moved to the East Coast. In Washington D.C. she worked at the National Archives and Records Administration and then at the Defense Acquisition University where she became a Certified Archivist. Her continued enjoyment of military history led her to switching coasts and coming to work for the Seabee Museum where she is collection manager for the archives and records manager liaison.

Archivist Attic – Acey Bone at Incheon

In September 1950 the personnel and equipment of Acey Bone (ACBONE), the familiar name of Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE, participated in the invasion of Inchon, Korea. This decisive victory turned the tide in favor of the United Nations and enabled the recapture of Seoul, South Korea, a few weeks later. Acey Bone was able to set up piers, a tent city, and even provide entertainment, quicker than you can get through your holiday celebrations!

Seabees at Wolmi Do during Inchon Invasion.

On the morning of September 15^th, the Marine Landing Force made its assault at Inchon. The Seabees were right on their heels and one and a half hours after the first waves hit the beach the Seabees had the pontoon cause way launched, assembled, and ready for beaching.

Natural obstacles proved the biggest test for building the harbor. Tidal flats and extreme tides led to maximum tidal currents against which the causeway could not be maneuvered. Working against time and tide, the pier was installed after two unsuccessful attempts. Placement of the pier had to be carefully planned in order to provide constant accessibility during both high and low tides.

Even with all the Seabee ingenuity, tidal conditions continued to limit operations. To combat this, small crafts were employed to maintain a constant flow of materials across the pier. The combination of pier work and small craft permitted 24-hour utilization of the vital links.

Smoke rises from fires and explosions caused by pre-invasion naval bombardment on Incheon, Korea.

While pontoons were being placed in the harbor, the beach conditions were also being improved in order to make a workable base. A tent city was constructed while drivers improved roads improving the flow of materials. Seabees with railroad experience also brought Korean locomotives through enemy mortar and fire to supply the troops. They manned this equipment for the duration of their stay. Their fortitude and unusual skill provided unexpected service in support of the logistic operations.

All work and no play makes even the best military cranky. No problem with that though, the Seabees took care of that when they installed a theater. The theater proved so popular that once again, the traditional “Courtesy of the Seabees” sign was displayed on a beachhead.

Seabees are pictured leaving Incheon Harbor, Korea during the successful redeployment of UN troops to Incheon.

Consolidation and improvement operations continued until October 1950, by which time the preliminary work was done and the Base Development phase commenced. In just three short weeks the Seabees had built a pontoon cause way, installed a tent city, worked on making a railway functional, and provided entertainment for the troops! All because Seabees Can Do!

 

Meet the Archivist: Ingi House

 

Meet the Archivist: Ingi House

Ingi House is originally from Kansas where she got her B.A. in history from the University of Kansas and M.L.S. from Emporia State University. After working for the Dole Institute of Politics she moved to the East Coast. In Washington D.C. she worked at the National Archives and Records Administration and then at the Defense Acquisition University where she became a Certified Archivist. Her continued enjoyment of military history led her to switching coasts and coming to work for the Seabee Museum where she is collection manager for the archives and records manager liaison.