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The U.S. Navy\\u2019s Construction Battalions, known as the Seabees, built roads and airfields across the Pacific Theater during WWII.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 In this episode, James Smith recalls his service with the Seabees beginning in 1943. Smith shares his memories of training with the Marines and the trip through the Panama Canal on the first large ship he ever saw.\\xa0 He also discusses how the Seabees would distill their own bootleg whiskey and his unconventional way of doing laundry aboard their small transport ship.

PODCAST EXTRA: Smith\\u2019s last assignment as a Seabee was repairing an airfield on the recently-liberated island of Okinawa.\\xa0 He discusses the Okinawans\\u2019 history with the Japanese and the devastating cost of \\u201cliberation.\\u201d