Seabee Keeps His "Cool" Under Viet Cong Fire

Item

derivative filename/jpeg
363-03938.pdf
Digital Object Identifier
363-03938
Title
Seabee Keeps His "Cool" Under Viet Cong Fire
Description
Original title: "Seabee Keeps His 'Cool' Under Viet Cong Fire." Seabees press release 30-67 (44)
Date
1967
Subject
United States. Navy. Seabees; Vietnam War, 1961-1977; Soldiers; Press releases
Location
Washington, D.C.
Coordinates
38.9072; -77.0369
Container
B65, F12
Format
press releases
Collection Number
MS 363
Collection Title
Beverly Deepe Keever, Journalism Papers
Creator
United States. Navy. Seabees
Copyright Information
These images are for educational use only. To inquire about usage or publication, please contact Archives & Special Collections.
Publisher
Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries
Language
English
extracted text
UNITED STATES N" VY
CONSTRUCTION BA TT ALIONS

SEABEES IN ACTION
" CONSTRUIMUS , BATUIMUS . WE BUILD, WE FI GHT "

" CAN DO!"

U.S. NAVAL MOBILE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION SEVENTY ONE
FPO NEW YORK, NEW YORK 09501
Release No. 30-67

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(44)

SEABEE KEEPS HIS 'COOL' UNDER VIET CONG FIRE
Seabee Constructionman Anthony Laktash, Jr. recently was awarded a letter
of commendation for his actions during a Viet Cong mortar attack in South
Vietnam.
Laktash, a member of U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVENTY-ONE,
was standing his post as cargo watch on the airstrip at Chu Lai when the Viet
Cong began a mortar attack from the nearby mountains.

The Communists dropped

over 170 mortar rounds onto the airfield.
Of Seabee Laktash's action under fire, his Commanding Officer, Commander R. D.
Coughlin, CEC, USN, said:
"With mortar rounds hitting as close as 30 yards from your position, your
calmness and smartness, as evidenced by your clear and complete radio reports
to the Battalion Command Post were outstanding."
MCB-71 is currently deployed at Camp Shields, Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam where its tasks are to maintain the Chu Lai airfield complex, provide
construction assistance to the Marines and Army in the field, and to perform
construction and civic action projects for the Vietnamese people.
1967 marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Seabees; the 100th of
the Navy Civil Engineer Corps whose officers lead the Seabees in action; and
t~e 125th of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (formerly Bureau of
Yards and Docks).
-30DEAR EDITOR: We Seabees hope you can use this copy and we would appreciate
a tear sheet mailed to:
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

09Dl

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY • NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND • WASHINGTON , D. C. 20390