A Seabee Journey introduces readers to the crucial and often overlooked contributions of the Naval Construction Battalions-the Seabees-in American military engagements. With clear-eyed prose and a sharp sense of humor, James E. Clarke recounts the experiences of his service throughout the Cold War era, beginning with the initial period of construction of the vast American military base in Okinawa, Japan. His stories include fierce lions with toothaches, visits to famous teahouses, and other surprising incidents behind the curtains of war.
About the Author
James E. Clarke enlisted with the Seabees in 1954, and throughout his 32-year career he helped construct U.S. military buildings from Okinawa to Adak, Alaska.
In Clarke's civilian life, he was a long-tenured professor of construction technology and management at Orange Coast College. He is a pilot of single-engine aircraft, a sailor, and an experienced skier, as well as an artist, bowler, and world traveler. Currently he is an Elder in his church, and a member of the Freedom Committee of Orange County, California-an organization composed of American military veterans of all services and theaters of operations.