Robb: Military like farm work
Motto 'We Build, We Fight' was Construction Battalion's reality
BY VICI PAPAJOHN Gulf Breeze News Vici@gulfbreezenews.com

Scott Page/Gulf Breeze News World War II veteran Dick Robb, 81, works as an independent contractor for Gannett servicing dispensing machines in the area.

Still working at age 81, World War II veteran Dick Robb still looks the part of a salty Seabee.

Formed in 1942 to fill the need for construction labor in war zones, the Construction Battalions of the Naval Construction Force quickly became famous for their ingenious, fast and rugged efforts to advance the war effort in the Pacific.

"It was hard work, but it was not much different from growing up on the farm," Robb said. "I went in there in what they called a 'kiddy crew' of service men over the age of 16 but under 18."

The men actively recruited from construction trades for the three Naval Construction Battalions became a militarized group of resourceful builders tasked with taming the areas ahead of the Allied advance. The initial letters of Construction Battalion quickly turned in to the nickname "See Bees" for the famed group. Their motto, "We Build, We Fight" was their reality.

Charged with both construction and demolition, Robb and the 15th Naval Construction Battalion created landing strips, roads and docks, built headquarters and cleared ravaged Japanese bases throughout the Pacific to literally pave the way for the American troops. It was hot, hard work in foreign terrain.

Robb grew up in rural Pennsylvania and did hard physical labor from the time he was a boy.

"We went to school, but we worked our chores before we got there," he said. The family's dairy cattle and vegetable garden supported the family of six, and Robb remembers his life before signing up as being "very regimental."

"I went to Boot Camp at Camp Parks, and then out to Okinawa. I got there near the war's end in early '45 after advanced military training. I was there 'til we dropped the bomb."

Robb left Okinawa in spring of 1946, and says now that he remembers that there were still Japanese troops hiding in caves, fighting a war that had ended. Upon leaving Okinawa, Robb joined the fleet onboard a tanker. After advancing through the ranks and supporting the war in Korea, Robb retired in 1963 after 20 years of service.

Robb is proud of his service to the country, and proud of those with whom he served. He had served with the Seabees - men the Navy recruited from across America who built great dams and highways, toiled in the mines and quarries and dug subway tunnels, built docks and even ocean liners and aircraft carriers, and were the salt of the earth laboring since childhood on America's farms.

"Most of the ones I knew are gone," he says quietly with a cough. Robb has battled asbestosis as a result of his service, but you will not hear him complain about that. "Looking back, Uncle Sam was good to me. If they'd take me back today, I'd go back in. I worked hard, and I played hard. The Navy was not easy back then. If they thought you was wrong about something and you got wrote up and went in before the old man (commanding officer), well, you got three days of bread and water.

"But they was fair. They gave us the G.I. Bill when we got back, and they helped us buy a home, gave us a chance to get educated. And now we got Tricare for life. I got no complaints."

Robb pauses for a moment, looks over towards the window. It's easy to see past Robb's pugilist's nose and a strong, stocky physique and hear that his growl of voice is wavering. "And it's something to see that the vets of World War II had a big part in what this country is today."

His blue eyes are strong and clear, and he has composed himself.