Post Donates 123rd Seabee Battalion Yearbook To Seabee Museum

.............North Kingston, R.I. :-On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, memorabilia donations were given to the Seabee Museum in North Kingston, R.I., on behalf of Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion. Post historian Bob Lessard, accompanied by Navy veteran and friend Eric Goodnow, made the presentations to museum curator Jack Sprengel.

..............Among the items gifted was a year book, which had belonged to Franklin G. Harlow of Middleboro. The book was produced at the end of the Second World War by the 123rd U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, which was Seabee group stationed in the Pacific. Mr. Harlow was a Yeoman Second Class assigned to the Headquarters of the unit in the personnel department.

..............Published in a magazine format the year book covers the history of the 123rd from its inception in August 1943 through until disbanding in January 1945. Mr. Harlow is seen in two separate photos and is listed in the alphabetized name section of the book. He was a Yeoman Second Class assigned to the Headquarters unit and worked in personnel.

..............He entered active service on July 23, 1943, while living at 6 Fairview Street. He was a graduate of Middleboro High School and had attended Bentley School of Accounting for three years. Prior to joining the United States Navy, he had been employed by N. E. Cranberry Sales Company of Middleboro.

..............While serving overseas he earned three medals: the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal and the World War 2 Victory Medal. Among the bases he was stationed include Endicott at Davisville Navy Base, R.I., Parks, Hueneme, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Pt. Oahu Hawaii, an Samar in the Philippines when the war ended. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1945 after having served two years, three months and six days.

..............After discharge from the service, Mr. Harlow joined Post 64. Among the many positions he held were Post Commander in 1950 and he also served as historian from 1953 through 1967. He created a huge scrapbook of Post 64 historic information during that period. Mr. Harlow passed on April 8, 1989 and is buried in Central Cemetery.

..............The Seabee 123rd year book had been a donation in August, 1995 to Post 64 by Mr. Harlow’s sister Florence, who had lived at 76 North Street at the time. She had sent the Post a letter with the enclosed year book. Her letter states:

..............“I am mailing to you the Year Book of the 123rd Battalion Seabees, I have enclosed a list of their service record. Also have enclosed two (2) black Navy scarves which were used by brother while in the service,” she wrote.

.............. Current Post Commander Don Triner and historian Bob Lessard discussed the Harlow year book and decided that the most appropriate place for it would be the Seabee Museum.

..............In addition to the year book, a box full of Seabee artifacts was also donated to the museum, courtesy of Post 64. Longtime Legion member Norman Record gave the box to the historian over a year ago. The contents had belonged to a Danvers, Mass resident Robert Putnam, who had served with the Seabee’s 104th Construction Battalion in the Pacific.

..............Norman said his son obtained the box in Randolph as it was tossed in the trash during a house cleanout. There were many items of Seabee historical value in the carton. The most impressive were the mimeographed unit newsletters called the “104th Spotlight” describing the Japanese surrender. Two Seabee newspapers were also found, one announcing the end of the war and the other published as a souvenir edition listing all the Seabee outfits in the Pacific.

..............The first Seabee newspaper had a small sports section. In it were several articles related to baseball players who were then in the service. One article concerned the future of 14th Naval District League player Bob Lemon, who as a minor leaguer. As baseball purists know, Lemon made good and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

..............Another baseball column questioned how Joe Cronin’s Red Sox would be the following year. “Well, there will be a couple of outfielders named Ted Williams and Dom DiMaggio. Anything wrong with an outfield composed of this pair with Bob Johnson? Returning infielders will include Bobby Doer, Johnny Pesky and Jim Tabor. Anything wrong with that trio plus Dolph Camilli at first?” questioned the writer.

..............Other Boston baseball players mentioned in the newspaper were Tex Hughson, “Boo” Ferris, Al Flair and Jim Wilson. Bob Feller and Yankee players Ken Silvestri and Phil Rizzuto were named in other stories in that September 12, 1945 issue.

..............Eric Goodnow scanned most of the printed material found in the box and has made a disc for Post 64.

..............The Seabee Museum is located at 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingston, R.I. The property also maintains a Seabee Memorial Park on the premises. There are several Quonset huts on site, including the one housing the museum.

.............. Curator Jack Sprengel is currently involved with presenting Seabee material for public display. The museum, at the moment, is a “work in progress.”

..............“Donations of Seabee material is greatly appreciated, “said Mr. Sprengel is a Navy veteran, who served as Chief Warrant Officer 3. “Admission to the museum is free and donations are welcome.” He invites everyone to share in the Seabee heritage where it all began.

..............A brochure about the museum is available, which gives the history of the Seabees. It says in part, “In 1942, the Navy realized it needed experienced construction workers in the planned Pacific Island hopping campaign.”

..............“The Seabees cut their teeth in combat and became world famous for their “Can Do” attitude,” according to the brochure. Additionally, the brochure informs that Seabees have participated in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. The famous Quonset hut was developed at the base in North Kingston.

.............. A visit to the museum and memorial park in North Kingston is an easy drive time from Middleboro and is located off Route 1 (Post Road) just East of Kohls store in the Quonset Gateway. Private and group tours by appointment may be made by calling the office at 401-294-7233.

..............Mr. Sprengel proudly reported that all the work on premises and in the park are accomplished by volunteers. There is also a store in the museum building where one can purchase Seabee material and gifts. (Posted by Bob Lessard historian.)