"We are turning these over to you to run and assign for the use of the people of Guam." With these words to Acting Governor Manuel Guerrero, RADM John S. Coye, Jr., ComNavMariannas, presented the Government of Guam with the "keys to Sea Bee City-- a living compound of 70 tents at Camp Asan donated and constructed by the men of Mobile Construction Battalion 5.
This was the climax to five days of intensive work from the USNS Sultan. Floors were nailed down. 2 x 4 framework went up and the tents were fitted out for each unit. Lights will be installed by the Seabees who also donated 500 cots for the city's new residents.
The urgent need for some kind of emergency housing following Karen became obvious at the Headquarters ComNavMariannas. The subject was broached to CDR James A. Burfield, Seabees commanding officer. He was asked in effect, if the Seabees could do the job.
This is exactly what Seabees thrive on. Within four hours men and equipment were at work laying foundations at Camp Asan. The tents and building material were supplied from the battalion's own "mount out" gear. Five days later Sea Bee City was ready for "business" and the first families began moving in.
Once again the men of the Seabees could and did do the work, what RADM Coye called "another fine job by all hands."
SeaBee Gives Demonstration of 'Mob's' 'Can Do' Spirit
Seabee Tomas C. Palsak, EADCN, of Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE, demonstrated a modern application of the Seabee motto, "Can do", when he heard of the need for working plans to rebuild the parsonage of the General Baptist Church on Saipan.
Palsak, a draftsman, spent many hours of his off-duty time to prepare blueprints for the replacement minister's house.
Since the construction of the house is to be done by volunteer workers, many of whom lack experience in this type of project, Palsak endeavored to produce plans that were simple in design.
He made working blueprints for a three bedroom house of concrete block construction. The unit had to be resistant not only to fire, but also be able to withstand the typhoons and tropical storms which sometimes strike the island.
TOMAS C. PALSAK, EADCN, explains the floor plan of a new parsonage to be built by
volunteer civilian and military labor on Saipan to Rev. Donald Willing ham (center) of the Agat Baptist
Church. Chaplain John K. Bontrager of MCB-5 (left) studies the plans. The new parsonage will be built for
Rev. Cecil Green of Saipan whose old parsonage was destroyed by fire early in September.
(MCB-5 Photo)
The original parsonage burned to the ground on the afternoon of September 7, just four days after the Rev. and Mrs. Cecil Green and their three children moved to Saipan. all their personal effects were also destroyed in the blaze
The need for plans came to MCB-5 through Chaplain John K. Bontrager, who in turn discussed the matter with Palsak. Now that the blueprints have been made, construction will be started as soon as the materials can be obtained.
Seebee Palsak is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Andrew M. Palsak, Sr., of Walnut Creek, California.
