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  133rd landed with the first waves and suffered the highest casualty rate in Seabee 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.

NOTE: This petition was originally authored by John Ratomski at Petition On-line. His father was a WWII 6th Special Seabee.  The petition was moved here because the previous host lost valuable signatures.

My grandfather, William Edward Cook, was a member of the 133rd Seabees and landed in the first waves of the attack on Iwo Jima. He remained on Iwo from D-Day until after the war ended.

Now on sale,  Black Hell: The Story of the 133rd Navy Seabees at Iwo Jima.

Order at: http://seabeebooks.com​

http://seabeebooks.com/