| A 79th
Battalion veteran of Company "A" relates watching bears catching fish during the
salmon runs while the 79th Battalion was on their first tour of duty in the Aleutians
campaign. During this tour, several 79'ers built smoke houses and smoked the
salmon. Unable to disclose the Battalion's location in their letters home to family
and friends, a scheme was devised to mail packages of smoked salmon as a clue to their
loved ones.
Seabees were famous for their professional construction skills prior to the beginning of
the war. One particular 79'er noted that he could use his 1/4-inch drill when he
returned home on Leave. Purposely waiting until he figured the Postman was fed up
with mailing salmon, the Battalion ready to depart the tour, and finally hearing the
Postman express a disgusted exclamation "Don't bring another one in
here!!", the 79th 'Bee slapped a salmon on top of the drill to avoid detection,
wrapped it up in a package, and mailed it home. And, yes, the drill was awaiting him
when he arrived home for his Leave. |
The
Great 79th Seabee Salmon Sneak
