| U.S. Navy 25th Naval Construction Regiment, 81st Naval Construction Battalion SEABEE Machinist Mate 1st Class Philip P. Judd 06702371 Killed In Action - June 14, 1944, Normandy France Buried: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France |
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| Grave marker, above photo. Temporary graves were marked with a simple wooden cross with an identification plate attached to the center. Once a permanent stone marker could be erected, the original wooden cross would be removed and destroyed by incineration. This grave plate was found in France at the site of the temporary marker destruction area. This plate is marked for Machinist Mate 1st Class Philip P. Judd 06702371. The plate shows his rank as MM2 vice MM1. Additionally the first digit of his serial number has been left off. |
| HISTORY OF PHILIP P. JUDD Philip P. Judd was from Des Moines, Iowa. He was Killed-in-Action (KIA) on Wednesday, June 14, 1944 while serving as a Seabee with the 81st Naval Construction Battalion, 25th Naval Construction Regiment in Normandy France. He is buried at Buried at: Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France Plot: E Row: 14 Grave: 19 |
| Grave markers Normandy American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer, France, above photo. Temporary graves were marked with a simple wooden cross with an identification plate attached to the center as shown in the above photo. This photo was taken behind Omaha Beach in 1951 by Life Magazine, 6 years after World War Two at what is now known as the Normandy American Cemetery Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Permanent stone markers were added several years later. |
| HISTORY OF THE 81ST NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION, 25TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION REGIMENT The 25th NCR was as a key member of the combined Army and Navy effort during Operation Overlord and played a pivotal role in the Normandy landings. Seabees were present in the transport area at 0300 on June 6, 1944, with the first Seabees ashore on Rhino Ferry No. 10 of 111th NCB at 1230. The 25th NCR maintained a presence on Utah and Omaha until trucks bearing the 69th NCB departed Omaha on November 12, 1944. The 25th NCR delivered about 35 percent of all soldiers and much of vital war machinery to the beach. Pontoon barges called Rhino ferries, transported thousands of trucks, tanks and artillery pieces from ships to pontoon causeways. Two large tent cities, one at Utah and the other at Omaha, housed and fed all Navy and Coast Guard personnel working the beaches. Though short lived, the artificial harbor at Omaha gave shelter to numerous ships and small craft. The 81st NCB, 97th NCB (2nd Section), 111th NCB, 146th NCB and CBD 1006 were attached to the regiment upon its formation. In the months to follow, the 28th NCB, 69th NCB, 114th NCB and 30th NCB (Special) would be placed under its command. The 97th NCB (2nd Section) was redesigned as the 108th NCB on April 27, 1944. Headquarters of the regiment was established on Omaha beach in a German bunker on June 16, 1944. On July 2, an advanced group established headquarters at Cherbourg. The move was completed on July 14. The advanced group moved again on September 19, to Le Harve. The regiment was decommissioned on November 30, 1944. In contrast to its peak strength of eight NCBs and one CBD, only two battalions (69th and 114th NCBs) and three maintenance units (CBMUs 627, 628 and 629) remained attached to the 25th NCR. All other units had returned to NCTC Davisville, Rhode Island for eventual transfer to the pacific war. Total losses for the 25th NCR at Normandy: 10 KIA, 2 MIA and 60 WIA |
