Large Named Painted U.S. Navy Seabees Vietnam Service Souvenir Plaque

The painted wooden souvenir plaque is approximately 14-1/2 inches by 18 inches. The plaque is named to “E.O.C. Knowles” (for “Equipment Operator Chief Petty Officer Knowles”), with the designation of “M.C.B. 1 A Co. Vietnam”, reflecting Knowles service with Mobile Construction Battalion Number 1 in Vietnam. The plaque shows expected signs of age but the colors are bright and it makes a very fine appearance. There is a small hole in the plaque between the wings of the bee to enable mounting or hanging of the plaque.

MCB 1 was the first Atlantic Fleet Battalion to deploy to Vietnam. From 1966 to 1970, the Battalion made four consecutive deployments to Southeast Asia. During the second deployment an urgent airfield was needed at Quảng Trị. The project was classified as “top secret” and designated  site “X”. It was to be completed in under 45 days. MCBs 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 74, 121, and 133 all sent detachments of men and equipment to get the job done. Those detachments dubbed themselves the Ghost Battalion and chose the Jolly Roger for the Battalion’s colors. The Ghost Battalion was disbanded on 1 November 1967. While making those deployments, four MCB 1 members gave their lives in the war.