Naval Academy in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Admiral Ben Moreell

Father of the Seabees

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 08

1. Admiral Ben Moreell Memorial

Inscription.

Admiral Ben Moreell. Father of the Seabees. [First Panel]:] About the Seabees. Born in the early days of World War II when the nation was in dire peril, their mission was to build bases for the combat forces, to defend those bases, and to provide other support of whatever kind required., Organized and commanded by officers of the Civil Engineer Corps of the Navy, recruited largely from the building trades of organized labor, buttressed by the construction industry, the Seabees quickly proved their total competence., High morale, expert skills, versatile ingenuity, strong devotion to duty, and deep sympathy for the needy are the hallmarks of their record. Their motto “can do” symbolizes their tradition and their achievements., Generations of Seabees have added to the laurels of their forebears. In war and in peace they have maintained their high repute as builders, fighters, and humanitarians., –Ben Moreell Admiral Civil Engineer Corps United States Navy, [Second Panel]:] About Ben Moreell 1892 -1978. Brilliant engineer, industrialist, and humanitarian; noble in spirit and stature, dedicated to God and country., He was thirty years a naval officer, twelve years an industrial giant, fifteen more years a national spokesman., Commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corps during World War I, he attained four star rank in 1946, the first staff corps officer to be so recognized., As chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks during World War II, he directed a world-wide construction program, contributing greatly to victory in the Pacific and in Europe., He founded a naval construction force, the SeaBees, comprised of a quarter million men whose fame and accomplishments were legendary., He helped set the course for the 1955 - 1980 building modernization at the Navy Academy., He was honored twelve times with doctoral degrees, elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and was named as one of the ten leading construction men in the United States during the fifty-year period, 1925-1975., Ben Moreell possessed a warmth for people, born of his belief in the value of each individual. He left a legacy of creativity. He was a blessing to all who knew him and to countless others.

[First Panel]:] About the Seabees
Born in the early days of World War II when the nation was in dire peril, their mission was to build bases for the combat forces, to defend those bases, and to provide other support of whatever kind required.

Organized and commanded by officers of the Civil Engineer Corps of the Navy, recruited largely from the building trades of organized labor, buttressed by the construction industry, the Seabees quickly proved their total competence.

High morale, expert skills, versatile ingenuity, strong devotion to duty, and deep sympathy for the needy are the hallmarks of their record. Their motto “can do” symbolizes their tradition and their achievements.

Generations of Seabees have added to the laurels of their forebears. In war and in peace they have maintained their high repute as builders, fighters, and humanitarians.

–Ben Moreell
Admiral
Civil Engineer Corps
United States Navy

[Second Panel]:] About Ben Moreell
1892 -1978
Brilliant engineer, industrialist, and humanitarian; noble in spirit and stature, dedicated to God and country.

He was thirty years a naval officer, twelve years an industrial giant, fifteen more years a national

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Commissioned in the Civil Engineer Corps during World War I, he attained four star rank in 1946, the first staff corps officer to be so recognized.

As chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks during World War II, he directed a world-wide construction program, contributing greatly to victory in the Pacific and in Europe.

He founded a naval construction force, the SeaBees, comprised of a quarter million men whose fame and accomplishments were legendary.

He helped set the course for the 1955 - 1980 building modernization at the Navy Academy.

He was honored twelve times with doctoral degrees, elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and was named as one of the ten leading construction men in the United States during the fifty-year period, 1925-1975.

Ben Moreell possessed a warmth for people, born of his belief in the value of each individual. He left a legacy of creativity. He was a blessing to all who knew him and to countless others.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 38° 58.792′ N, 76° 28.836′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is in Naval Academy. Marker is on Brownson

Admiral Ben Moreell Marker </b>(First Panel: "About the Seabees") image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 08

2. Admiral Ben Moreell Marker (First Panel: "About the Seabees")

Road. This marker is onboard the U.S. Naval Academy. It is about 0.25 miles northeast of the Academy's visitor entrance (Gate 1), adjacent to the Commodore Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Brownson Rd, Annapolis MD 21402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Old Fort Severn (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Severn and the United States Naval Academy (about 700 feet away); Vice Admiral William Porter Lawrence, USN (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norman Scott Natatorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune (approx. 0.2 miles away); N* (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Navy Mascot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

Also see . . . Seabees. (Submitted on July 27, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Admiral Ben Moreell Marker </b>(Second Panel: "About Ben Moreell") image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 08

3. Admiral Ben Moreell Marker (Second Panel: "About Ben Moreell")

Admiral Ben Moreell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 08

4. Admiral Ben Moreell Marker

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 08

5. Admiral Ben Moreell Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,457 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.