NMCB-4

• World War II Origins: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR (NMCB-4) was first commissioned on May 11, 1942, at Camp Bradford, Virginia, as part of the famed Seabees, the Navy’s construction battalions. • Pacific Theater Service: During WWII, NMCB-4 deployed to the Pacific, building airstrips, bases, and infrastructure critical for the Allied war effort, including major projects in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. • Nickname “Pioneers”: NMCB-4 is known as the "Pioneers" for its trailblazing efforts in new construction techniques under combat conditions. • Korean War Reactivation: The battalion was decommissioned after WWII but was reactivated in 1951 for the Korean War, continuing their tradition of rapid construction and support in hostile environments. • Vietnam War Legacy: NMCB-4 was among the first Seabee battalions deployed to Vietnam, constructing airfields, bases, and vital infrastructure, often under enemy fire. • Heroic Actions in 1968: In 1968, while stationed at Dong Ha, NMCB-4's base was attacked, and members of the unit defended it valiantly, with Construction Mechanic Marvin Shields posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor. • Disaster Relief Missions: NMCB-4 has participated in numerous humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, including operations after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the 2011 earthquake in Japan. • Global Deployments: The battalion has served in nearly every major conflict since WWII, including Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing critical construction and engineering support. • Sea Story - "Can Do Spirit": The “Can Do” motto of the Seabees was put to the test in Vietnam, where NMCB-4 built a vital bridge overnight under enemy threat, allowing Marines to evade a possible ambush. • Innovations: NMCB-4 has pioneered rapid runway repair, expeditionary base construction, and innovative field engineering techniques that have become standard for Seabee operations worldwide.