Who Was Seabee Team 1104?
The Battle of Dong Xoai resulted in the posthumous award of the only Medal of Honor to a Seabee.
In June of 1965, Master Chief Equipmentman Johnny Ray McCully, officer-in- charge LT Frank A. Peterlin, a Navy Reservist serving in the Civil Engineer Corps, and their Seabee Team 1104 repelled a harrowing 14-hour assault on a U.S. Army Special Forces compound by more than 2,000 Viet Cong that killed five of the 20 Americans assigned to Dong Xoai, Vietnam — and wounded every one of the survivors. Seven Silver Stars, eight Bronze Stars, a Navy Unit Commendation and numerous Purple Hearts were among honors for those who defended the camp.
The highest honors of all, however, were awarded to both Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Marvin G. Shields and U.S. Army Special Forces 2nd Lieutenant Charles Williams. The Medal of Honor, awarded by the Congress and representing the United States’ highest combat accolade for extreme courage and leadership, was awarded to the two for their heroic actions at Dong Xoai.
Mortally wounded during the battle, Shields was the first and is still only Seabee to receive the Medal of Honor and also the…
