U.S. Navy Seabee Medal

hchcoin

My Uncle served in the United States Navy from 1954 to 1973. He was an Equipment Operator, Underwater Construction Team, Cold Water Diving Expert. He was stationed around the world including Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, Rhode Island, California, 2X in Vietnam (Da Nang, Combat), Newfoundland, Virginia, Bermuda, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. He did not talk a lot about his service but one story that I do remember is when he was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam. The location where he was stationed came under attack and he spent a considerable amount of time in combat. I was also told he was a Frogman in the Navy which was a precursor to the modern day Navy Seals. One of the jobs I was told he had was to clear mines from the bottom of ships and to do underwater demolition.

He was also a life long collector of coins. He currently suffers from dementia and lives in California. Years ago, when he found out I also loved collecting coins, he started sending me coins for my birthdays and Christmas. One of the coins he sent me was the following:

1967 25th Anniversary Bronze Medal, Mintage 5,000




This medal has been sitting in my collection for years but I never took the time to look it up. I went on eBay the other day and to my surprise it is quite rare with a mintage of only 5,000. I am not sure if it was given to him for his service or if he bought it. It is a National Commemorative Medal of the United States Mint.

I read a post this morning of someone saying no one posts interesting posts anymore so I thought I would share this medal. Here's to my Uncle and all those who have served! Post some military themed items, medals or coins that you have in your collection and share the story behind the item.

291fifth

Very interesting. I don't recall seeing that medal before.

hchcoin

I have never seen one in person other than the one I have.

johnny9434

cool medal

NumisOxide

That's quite neat!

MedalCollector

Firstly, his service is greatly appreciated! He sounds like a great uncle too!

As for this medal, it is somewhat rare and with the increased publicity of these medals, (through 2 recent publications on the series) their popularity - and price - seem to be increasing. I believe there may be up to 3 other versions of this medal. Someone with one of the reference books on hand will be able to tell you for sure. Your example appears to be one of the bronze miniature versions.

lkrarecoins

That's awesome...My Dad was a Navy Seabee, served from 1946-1949 Post-WWII, and was stationed in Guam. I have a Navy Seabee Christmas ornament (no medals as cool as yours...yet) that I hang at the highest point on my tree each year :-)

epcjimi1

Any explanation as to the obverse and reverse images?

WillieBoyd2

Nice medal!

The 1950's television show "Leave it to Beaver" is still running on cable channels.

I recently saw an episode where Beaver's father Ward Cleaver explained that during
World War II he was a Navy SeaBee and that he was not a hero but just doing his job.

I thought that this was one of the better episodes of that long-running show.

Timbuk3

Sweet !!!

msch1man

Very cool medal made even more so with who gave it to you .

hchcoin

<< <i>Any explanation as to the obverse and reverse images? >>



Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

epcjimi1

<< <i>

<< <i>Any explanation as to the obverse and reverse images? >>



Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. >>



I'll take a crack at answering my own question -

Construimus Batuimus - "We Build, We Fight"

The logo on the drum depicts a SeeBee - a bee with a machine gun in front and a wrench and hammer held in the other two legs.

Below Centennial are the crossed sprigs (oak leaves?) symbol of the Civil Engineering Corp

Below South America is a ship with what I think are construction cranes / derricks on it.

I'm not sure what the symbol below Australia is.

ricko

That is a cool medal.... would like to get one for a Navy buddy who was a SeaBee...Cheers, RickO

DrBuster

Once winter break in college I worked with one of the origianl seabees, might have been one of your uncles buddies. He was a longtime friend of a buddy of mines family. Could not get him to tell 1 oz of a story of service. Was probably close to 70 at the time, 20+ years ago, and still in all kinds of crazy buff shape.

Cool medal.