Can Do!

William Bradford Huie's "Can Do!: The Story of the Seabees" stands as a compelling wartime chronicle that documents the formation and achievements of the United States Navy Construction Battalions during World War II. Published in 1944 while the conflict was still ongoing, this work captures the urgency and innovation that defined one of the war's most crucial yet often overlooked military units. Huie, a journalist and author known for his investigative reporting, brings both immediacy and authority to this account of the men who built the infrastructure of America's Pacific campaign.

The book traces the origins of the Seabees from their inception in early 1942, when military planners recognized the desperate need for construction units capable of building airfields, roads, bridges, and housing under combat conditions. The traditional approach of using civilian contractors proved inadequate in war zones, leading to the creation of military construction battalions composed of skilled tradesmen who could fight when necessary and build under fire. Huie effectively explains how this revolutionary concept emerged from the harsh lessons learned in the early months of the Pacific War, where the lack of combat-ready construction personnel hampered military operations.

The narrative strength of "Can Do!" lies in its detailed examination of the diverse skill sets required for these battalions. Huie describes how the Navy recruited carpenters, electricians, plumbers, heavy equipment operators, and engineers from civilian life, often selecting men who were older than typical military recruits but possessed invaluable practical experience. This approach transformed construction sites across the Pacific into well-oiled operations where experienced professionals could accomplish in days what might have taken weeks under normal circumstances. The book illustrates how these battalions became essential to every major Pacific campaign, from Guadalcanal to the Philippines.

Huie dedicates considerable attention to the dangerous conditions under which the Seabees operated. The construction battalions worked on frontline islands while under enemy fire, built installations in malarial jungles, and maintained operations during air raids and artillery bombardments. The book documents numerous instances where Seabees had to set aside their tools and take up weapons to defend their positions, embodying their dual role as builders and fighters. This reality gave substance to their motto "We build, we fight," which Huie presents not as mere rhetoric but as an accurate description of their daily existence in combat zones.

The technical accomplishments described in the book remain impressive even decades after publication. Huie chronicles the construction of airfields carved from coral and jungle, the establishment of fuel depots, the creation of entire base facilities on previously uninhabited islands, and the rapid repair of damaged infrastructure. These achievements were often completed under tight deadlines that directly affected combat operations. The book makes clear that air superiority in the Pacific theater depended heavily on the Seabees' ability to construct and maintain forward airfields, transforming remote islands into strategic assets.

As a period document written during the war itself, "Can Do!" reflects the patriotic fervor and propaganda purposes that characterized much wartime literature. Huie wrote with the cooperation of the Navy and with the clear intention of honoring the Seabees and boosting morale on the home front. This context means the book maintains an overwhelmingly positive tone and avoids critical analysis of military decisions or strategic failures. Modern readers should approach the work understanding its function as both historical record and wartime morale booster.

Despite its propagandistic elements, the book provides valuable historical documentation of the Seabees' contributions to the Pacific campaign. Huie's journalistic background serves him well in gathering specific details about construction methods, organizational structures, and the logistics of moving men and equipment across vast oceanic distances. The book captures the improvisation and ingenuity that characterized these operations, where standard procedures often had to be abandoned in favor of creative solutions to unprecedented challenges.

"Can Do!: The Story of the Seabees" remains a significant historical document for those interested in World War II history, military engineering, or the development of specialized military units. While the writing style and perspective reflect its 1940s origins, the book preserves important details about an organization that played a vital role in Allied victory. Huie's work ensures that the contributions of these construction battalions, often overshadowed by more celebrated combat units, receive recognition for their essential role in projecting American military power across the Pacific. For readers seeking to understand the full scope of the war effort beyond frontline combat, this book offers valuable insights into the infrastructure and logistics that made victory possible.