World War II & Palmer's Seabees Service
Palmer Alvin Stadum's service in the United States Navy Construction Battalion (Seabees) in Hawaii during World War II.
The Seabees & Pacific Construction
Following the US entry into World War II, Palmer Stadum enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the newly formed Construction Battalions (Seabees).
From 1942 to 1945, Palmer was stationed in Hawaii. The Seabees played a critical role in building airstrips, dry docks, military bases, and fuel storage facilities necessary for the Pacific theater operations.
Enlisting shortly after his marriage to Signe Solberg in 1941, Palmer's deployment separated the young couple during the war years. His daughter Peggy was born in 1942 while Palmer was beginning his service. His engineering and construction experience in Hawaii laid the groundwork for his post-war work in Benson County, ND, where he helped construct the rural electric cooperative networks.
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Related People & Places
Construimus, Batuimus — We Build, We Fight
Rodney Stadum served in the United States Navy as part of the Naval Construction Battalions (SeaBees) from approximately 1970 to 1977, following his graduation from St. Olaf College in 1969 and his marriage to Kathy Bode in Faribault, Minnesota.
The SeaBees motto is "Construimus, Batuimus" — We Build, We Fight. During Rodney's service, the SeaBees undertook construction and engineering missions across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Rodney's technical education and family background in practical craftsmanship made him well-suited for the Construction Battalions.