I’m a SEABEE and served May 10 1971 to March 1 1978 EO2.

The service photo from June 1971 at the SEABEES Boot Camp NCTC Gulfport, MS. I enlisted at age 17 days prior to my 18th birthday. I served in NMCB 5 Alfa Co and deployed to Camp Shields, Okinawa in the summer of 1973. I was never in a war zone. My federal combined government spans 31 years 3 months. Out of my 42-year work career within my federal years and US Navy SEABEES years, I traveled much and was also stationed on: ADAK, Alaska, NMCB 5 Alfa Co. NCTC Gulfport, MS. Then off to NAF Sigonella Sicily. PWD Trans. Nov 74 – April 7 1977 EO3. Then NMCB 1 Alfa Co. EO2.,m. EO Swap into NMCB 74 Alfa Co. Deployed Diego Garcia.

On August 22 1977 our stillborn son was delivered at Keesler Hosp. He’s buried outside the SEABEES base in Gulfport. While on Diego Garcia I was Red Crossed emergency leave from the main body. TAD San Diego NAVSTA pending my hardship discharge. On March 1, 1978 I was HONORABLY Discharged EO2. My post service was DOD. DON PWC San Diego assigned San Clemente Island a R&D Navy island, which is where I was for 10 years, reaching position as Transportation Supervisor.

My uncle on my mom’s side served with the U.S. Army spec 5 in Viet Nam, approximately 67- 68 and 70-71. The exact area is unknown to me. Another uncle on my dad’s side served in WWII Europe. He was a U.S. Navy SEABEES Builder and landed on Normandy Invasion. I do not know areas elsewhere that he saw action. My youngest brother served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Korea and with tanks while in Germany M1 Abrams in the late 80’s and early 90’s E5. My mom’s brother never spoke of Nam and no one else in the family talked about their service either.

In 1992, I transferred to PWC Crane and Rigging Dept. as an equipment operator and promoted to position as Equipment Operator Supervisor II. I served 6 years in this position. A second divorce came and I resigned my position, driving long haul trucking industry 5 years. I went back to US Department of Homeland Security, Customs Border Protection in the San Diego Southwest Region from April 27, 2009 to November 30, 2013 as equipment operator. I have served under numerous CEC officers.

My “CAN DO” work ethics was by the Navy SEABEES. I hold my service (HIGH MARKS) from my fellow BEES I served with!! I would do it all over again changing little over my 42 years. I’m retired now with permanent blindness in my right eye. Since my brain stroke on July 16 2012, I’ve been traveling through Mexico alone, enjoying their country and culture.

My oath is to the USA until my passing, because I’m a SEABEES Veteran until my death!!
~ David Alan Butler, Sr., Seabees Veteran

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