The U.S. National Park Service has named North Kingstown, Rhode Island, an American World War II Heritage City. The designation honors the contributions of cities and towns and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America’s war effort during World War II.
Early in Quonset’s history, before it was a business park, Quonset Point was compromised of two naval bases – Naval Air Station Quonset and Camp Endicott at Davisville. Camp Endicott was the birthplace of the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion, known as the “Fighting Seabees.”
The Seabees were highly skilled craftsmen working in the building trades to construct critical wartime infrastructure at home and abroad. During WWII, more than 100,000 Seabees trained at Quonset. In the wake of the pivotal Battle of Midway, the first battalion of Seabees arrived on Midway Island to construct a new airstrip and begin the massive cleanup effort.
From the Pacific Islands to the shores of Normandy, the Seabees played a role in every major WWII battle. The battalions earned a reputation for creativity, resourcefulness and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done.
“The legendary U.S. Navy Seabees were known for their ‘Can Do!’ motto,” said Steven J. King, P.E., managing director of the Quonset Development Corporation. “We embrace that ‘Can Do!’ spirit here at Quonset as we work to honor their legacy on behalf of all Rhode Islanders.”
To learn more about the Seabees, visit the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park.
