As Boothbay Harbor prepares to celebrate the 64th annual Windjammer Days, this year’s theme proudly honors the past, present, and retired members of the United States Navy who have served our nation with dedication and distinction. Throughout the coming weeks, we will feature a series of profiles highlighting local Navy service members—sharing their stories, experiences, and the lasting impact of their service. These articles are a tribute to the men and women whose commitment to duty reflects the maritime heritage at the heart of Windjammer Days and the deep appreciation of our community. Unfortunately not all current or former Navy service members in the area can be individually featured. To have a Navy veteran or active-duty member mentioned on the Windjammer Days webpage, please email Friends of Windjammers (www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org). Please include name and rank.

By Carl B. “Skip” Williams Jr.

I served in the United States Navy in the Seabees from 1966 to 1969. The Seabees are specialized sailors within the Naval Construction Force (NCF) with the motto, “We build, we fight.” After graduating from Boothbay Region High School, I attended Northern Maine Vocational Institute in Presque Isle, Maine.

While there, Jake Stevens, Joe Blake and I enlisted in the Navy Seabees in the delayed entry program.

After graduating in June 1966, I reported to the Naval Construction Regiment in Davisville, Rhode Island for boot camp. Upon completing boot camp, I was assigned to the Mobile Construction Battalion 1 (MCB1) for further training.

Before being sent to Vietnam, I was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to repair damage to Officer Quarters caused by a hurricane. We were then sent back to Davisville, where I was reassigned to MCB40 and sent to Builders “A” School for 16 weeks, followed by three weeks of intensive military training by Marine Combat Veterans at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I was assigned Fire Team Leader of 81mm mortar. Other training included weapons qualification and combat guerrilla warfare.

Having completed our training, we were sent to Chu Lai, South Vietnam for an eight-month deployment. While there, I repaired the Mess Hall, hospitals, EM Club, and rebuilt the staging area of a cargo handling facility that had been damaged by a typhoon. Being close to the South China Sea, this facility was crucial for transporting soldiers and material up and down the coast of Vietnam.

During this deployment, I was assigned to be the Delta Company Training Petty Officer. After eight months of deployment, the Battalion was sent back to Davisville for six months to train for the next deployment in Vietnam. The purpose was to train new people and for a refresher course for the rest of us.

In December of 1968, I left Phu Bai for Da Nang and was then sent to Long Beach, California where I was separated from the Navy after three years of service.

Enlistment in the Navy’s Seabees offers the chance to learn many trades that apply to civilian life. It also enables you to see other parts of the world. It gave me a new appreciation of how fortunate we are to live in the United States of America.