Seabee Teams In Vietnam 1963–1968: 13 Man Teams That Helped Rural Vietnamese And Who Fought Alongside The Special Forces

American Baby Boomers––of the 1960s––are often portrayed in the media as either in the mud of Woodstock or in the mud of Vietnam. The truth is, just a small percentage––3%––were in either place. Most Baby Boomers were living normal lives doing normal things. But for those who took an active part in the Cold War––which we won––and which included Vietnam––this book is dedicated to you. It includes the records of the 13-man STAT TEAMS (later known as Seabee Teams) that served in Vietnam. The Navy Seabees were some of the first to show up for Vietnam’s struggle against communism. In 1954, President Ngo Dinh Diem wrote a letter to President Eisenhower asking for military and economic aid. In 1954 and 1955, an estimated one million refugees (mostly persecuted Catholics) moved from North Vietnam to the south. The Seabees helped them during their “Passage to Freedom”. In 1956, Seabees surveyed Vietnam’s roads, which were largely destroyed by war and guerrilla activities. Beginning in 1963, Seabee Teams arrived in Vietnam to assist in constructing camps, airfields, and roads, and to help improve living conditions in rural areas. They also earned medals including the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star, with one member, Marvin Shields, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor. Before the large US troop presence, the Seabees played a crucial role in preparing Vietnam for war and winning hearts and minds.