The Chronicle of the 34th Naval Construction Battalion

About this episode

Dr. Frank Blazich Jr. discusses the history of the 34th Naval Construction Battalion, the first African American Seabee Battalion in US Navy history.

On Friday, February 19, 2026, the MacArthur Memorial hosted a virtual event featuring Dr. Frank Blazich Jr., Curator of Military History at the Smithsonian National Museum of American. Dr. Blazich shared the story of the 34th Naval Construction Battalion, the first African American Seabee Battalion in US Navy history. A Q&A followed the presentation. MacArthur Committee Information: MacArthur Membership Committee Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note:...

People in this episode

Host: Amanda Williams

Guest: Dr. Frank Blazich Jr.

Topics covered

• African American history
• military history
• naval construction
• Seabees
• virtual events

Keywords

• 34th Naval Construction Battalion
• African American Seabees
• military history
• Dr. Frank Blazich Jr.
• MacArthur Memorial

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Smithsonian National Museum of American, MacArthur Membership Committee

Books & works: 34th Naval Construction Battalion

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