Final answer:
The Seabees were instrumental in World War II by constructing over 111 airstrips, 441 piers, hospitals, and troop housing, playing a vital role in both European and Pacific theatres of war, particularly during the D-Day invasion and the Pacific island-hopping campaigns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Seabees, also known as the United States Naval Construction Battalions, played a crucial role during World War II. They constructed over 111 airstrips, 441 piers, hospitals, and housing capable of accommodating 1.5 million troops. This massive construction effort was critical to Allied operations in both European and Pacific theatres of the war.
During the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, as well as throughout the island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific, the Seabees provided the necessary infrastructure to sustain the Allied forces' advance towards victory. Their work enabled the success of the invasions and subsequent battles, including the historic Battle of Iwo Jima and the intense fighting on Okinawa. The Seabees’ engineering and construction prowess was vital in securing strategic positions and facilitating the movements of troops and supplies, thereby contributing significantly to the eventual defeat of Axis powers.