WWII US Navy Seabees - Tarawa 1943

The Battle of Tarawa (November 20–23, 1943) was a brutal World War II clash in which the U.S. 2nd Marine Division assaulted the heavily fortified Japanese-held island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. Confident in their defenses, the Japanese commander boasted that 'a million men could not take the island in a hundred years'. This initially appeared to be the case as unexpectedly low tides stranded many U.S. landing craft on reefs, forcing Marines to wade ashore under devastating fire. However, after three days of fierce, often hand-to-hand combat, U.S. forces secured the tiny island. Almost 2000 Marines and sailors would lose their lives taking the island, just 2 miles long and 800 yards deep at the widest point. These extreme losses for such a small island were documented by Marine combat cameramen for the documentary film "With the Marines at Tarawa". Due to the unprecedented violence showing actual, real time combat and the bodies of Americans killed, Hollywood refused to produce the film, and a presidential order was required to release the film. Following notable war correspondent Robert Sherrod's advice that "our soldiers on the front want people back home to know that they don't knock the hell out of them every day of every battle. They want people to understand that war is a horrible, nasty business, and to say otherwise is to do a disservice to those who died" the film was released for public screening in 1944. It went on to receive an Oscar in 1944, and is known for shaping the public's understanding of modern warfare, as well as what viewers expect from war films to this day. 

As with all battles in the Pacific, the shooting hadn't even stopped by the time CB "Seabees" personnel began arriving. Following the attack on Wake Island, the Navy quickly realized it's system of using civilian contractors in combat areas could not persist. These men, if forced into combat, would either have to stand idly by and risk capture, or stand up and fight but risk torture and execution if captured. An entirely new arm of the Navy was thus created, by recruiting skilled tradesman from all areas, and providing military training for deployment to active theatres of war. On Tarawa, Seabees began arriving with the Marine assault waves, and had put the shell ridden airfield back into a working state while pockets of resistance were still being engaged. Across the Pacific campaign, CB personnel would routinely engage the enemy while conducting complex operations in airfield repair, electrical, pier building, and the movement of supplies. 

I just couldn't pass up this figure due to my love of vintage graphic Ts. To get the nice short sleeve look, I've once again overprinted on the stock Lego dual molded torso with a 1:1 replica of the original t-shirt art. I've also included a wartime Navy tattoo on his right arm for a little extra torso detail. I've updated my dungaree pants artwork to get rid of my prior denim textures I think were a bit too overboard, and instead added the correct detail of the folded up pants cuff with slightly lighter denim on the bottom, as well as the selvedge seam. Each figure ships with a new Lego sailor hat that will not shrink or crack like the customs. Plus it shows off the nice little hair poking out if you position it tilted back on the head. 

If you own any of my prior Seabees I've designed over the years, this would be a great new variant to add in with them, or just to use on your WWII airfield MOC! 

Editions: 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Collectors Edition - Signature by Landon Reimer, hand numbered, plastic protective sleeve with 1x6 display brick. 

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

Figure artwork includes:

• Lego sailor hat
• Custom printed minifigure head 
• Dual molded torso with Seabees graphic tee
• Navy denim dungaree trousers   
• Navy black trouser belt with brass buckle
• Marine N1 'boondocker' field shoes 
• USN arm tattoo 
• Inside leg cuffed dungarees printing 

Information: Art and printing by Lando (that’s me!) on genuine factory direct Lego minifigure elements & BrickArms headgear.

Legal Disclaimer: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.