How to contact the Seabee Museum

Current Naval enlisted personnel wear patches on
their left sleeve that indicate their rank and rating or specialty in the Navy.

These rating badges consist of a perched eagle with expanded wings with its head looking upward. Chevrons, indicating the wearer's rate and a specialty mark indicating
rating is part of the badge.

Rating badges worn on
blue working jackets and utility shirts have no specialty mark.

When the Seabees were formed in 1942 there were no Naval ratings for the specialized skills of the Seabees. As a temporary measure, all early Seabees were assigned a "fleet" rating.

These three patches are from 1944 and were worn by some of the first Seabees. At the top is a
First Class Carpenter's Mate, below that is a Second Class Gunner's Mate, and the third patch is a Third Class Shipfitter.

DID YOU KNOW? *The 1944 John Wayne movie, The Fighting Seabees, is a fictionalized portrayal of the beginning of the Seabees.* Seabees feature prominently in the musical South Pacific. *Ward Cleaver, the fictional father in Leave It To Beaver, was a former Seabee.* Al Borland, the fictional sidekick of Tim Taylor on Home Improvement was a Seabee. Borland was portrayed by actor Richard Karn, Karn's father Gene was a Seabee in real life and served in World War II. Tom Cruise, portraying "Maverick" in the 1986 movie Top Gun, had a Seabee patch on the left front breast area of his flight jacket.

General Question: info@seabeesmuseum.com

or contact the VP of Education: education@seabeesmuseum.com

To contact Island X-1 Davisville: cbetx1dv@juno.com

For Museum information: secretary@seabeesmuseum.com

For information about Corporate Support opportunities: Support@seabeesmuseum.com

To donate to the Seabee Museum: Donations@seabeesmuseum.com

Museum and Store Hours
May-Oct: Weekdays, 10 am to 3 pm
Or by Appointment
Nov-April, Wednesday 10 am to 2 pm
Or by Appointment

PLEASE NOTE:
During 2008 the Gateway Center shopping and office complex is being
constructed beside the Museum. Days and hours of operation may have to be
adjusted from time to time. We strongly encourage visitors to call first.

Contact: Audrey and Bob Schwab, Store Managers
Call: 401-294-7233
seabee_store@seabeesmuseum.com

Mailing Address:
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
21 Iafrate Way
North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852

(Davisville, Rhode Island, the location of the original Seabee Base
is now included in the town of North Kingstown)

Guided tour of the Park: By Appointment
Call: 401-294-7233

For driving directions:

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