Welcome to the 2020
NAVFAC, CEC, SEABEE Ball!

This year we celebrate the 78^th anniversary of the US Navy Seabees, the 153^rd anniversary of the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps, and the 178^th anniversary of Naval Facilities Engineering Command. These three organizations have a rich history in the Campania region of Italy. 

During WWII, Operations Husky and Avalanche saw thousands of allied troops push through the beaches of southern Italy to free the peninsula from Nazi occupation. Engineers at BuDocks, renamed NAVFAC in 1966, designed revolutionary pontoon causeways to quickly ferry troops and supplies from landing ships to the beaches. These floating bridges were shipped to the Mediterranean where CEC officers and their Seabee constructionmen assembled and maintained them amidst constant enemy fire.   On Sep 10, 1943, during the Salerno landing, CEC LT Carl Olson was the first American officer killed in Europe when his pontoon bridge was struck by an enemy bomb. Twenty-eight of his Seabees also lost their lives during the incursion, but their sacrifice allowed 11,500 vehicles plus personnel to go ashore and liberate the Port of Naples. 

We continue to build on that history as we celebrate the past and future at our birthday ball. We hope you enjoy the efforts of the committee, stay safe, and have fun.

 See you there!

2020 Seabee Ball Committee