133rd Seabees "Iwo-Jima" Presidential Unit Citation

To:  Navy Awards Branch

We the undersigned feel that the 133rd Naval Construction Battalion- Seabees deserve the Presidential Unit Citation for their role in the invasion and securing of Iwo-Jima. The Fourth Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the Iwo-Jima Battle and the 133rd NCB was not although:

1. The 133rd NCB became an actual part of the 4th Marine Division on November 1, 1944, until March 1945. Wearing Marine uniforms and subject to Marine rules and regulations.

2. The 133rd was not a support unit, but was used as a Marine Pioneer Battalion during the battle.

3. The 133rd NCB and the Marine 4th Pioneer Battalion both became shore parties for the 23rd and 25th Regimental Combat Teams of the 4th Marine Division for the assault phase on Iwo-Jima. Official Battle Plans on record show this.

4. The entire 133rd landed with the first waves and suffered 40% percent casualties - (370), higher than any Seabee Battalion in history.

5. The 133rd's casualties exceeded the casualties of the Marine 4th Pioneer Battalion on the adjoining beaches. The 4th Pioneers were awarded the citation-the 133rd was not.

There were six Seabee Battalions that received the PUC during WWII. All of them had far less casualties than the 133rd. The 133rd NCB wore its uniform proudly as Navy, and wore its uniform proudly as Marines. They served them both with great distinction. They earned and deserve the recognition that is still not theirs.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The 133rd Seabees "Iwo-Jima" Presidential Unit Citation Petition to Navy Awards Branch was created by and written by John Ratomski (Jonathon17pim@aol.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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