After receiving their training in Rhode Island the battalion moved to Camp Holiday at Gulfport, Mississippi for more training in construction, offensive and defensive combat, and technical training. In February, 1944 the battalion moved to Port Hueneme, California for additional training with mortars, obstacle courses, and on the rifle range.

The first overseas deployment for the battalion came in May, 1944 when they departed the U. S. for the Hawaiian Islands. Their first project was to increase the aviation gasoline storage tanks to a capacity of 500,000 gallons. Additionally, they completed two seaplane ramps, eight floating piers, five aviation material store houses, machine shops, several 250-man frame barracks, a two-story 40 by 100 foot Quonset hut barracks and officer's mess, WAVE's quarters, and did additional work on the landing field.

In November the battalion began preparations for the coming invasion of Iwo Jima. On February 19, 1945 the assault took place. Three Seabee units were assigned to the Marines: the 31st, 62nd and 133rd battalions.

As soon as the Japanese were driven from their airstrips, the Seabees went to work and in just seven days the northeast-southwest runway had been made operational and was in use by American planes.

Projects assigned to the 133rd were completed at a rapid rate during the next five months on the island.

With the end of hostilities the 133rd was deactivated in December, 1945. At that time the battalion received the Navy Unit Commendation Medal for the part it played as a support unit of the 5th Amphibious Corps during the assault landing on Iwo Jima from 19 to 28 February, 1945.

Commander E. H. Marsh, CEC, USN, accepted the Battalion Flag from VADM Lot Ensey, the Commissioning Officer and the Navy Unit Commendation Pennant from RADM W. M. Enger, CEC, USN, Deputy Chief of Civil Engineers.

After its commissioning the battalion underwent military and technical training at Gulfport, Mississippi and aboard Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi. Advanced military training was received at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina during October and November, 1966.

February, 1967 saw the new 133rd in Da Nang, Republic of Viet Nam, marking the battalion's first deployment since World War II.

Our Cruise Book added another proud chapter in the history of U. S. Naval Mobile Construction One Hundred Thirty Three. The photos and stories on this web site are from that cruise book, proud reminders of the officers and men of the "Can Do" spirit, and we were proud to be counted among them.