Page 51 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2017

Decades
Retired Seabee and Gulfport Resident’s Career Spanned Five Decades
story by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jeffrey J. Pi
erce photos courtesy of NCBC
after serving as the command master chief for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB 74).
To many this may not seem very remarkable. However, Wade began his Navy career in 1944 and was one of the original Seabees. Wade’s career as Steelworker in the Seabees and time in the U.S. Army spanned more than 45 years. He served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam and retired just before the major conflict began in the Gulf War.
A native of Kalamazoo, Mich., he enlisted in 1944 and six weeks into boot camp had an opportunity to join the Seabees. During WWII, he was assigned to a special detachment that built and repaired bridges in France and Germany.
After returning home, he attempted to reenlist with the Seabees but was told there weren’t any openings. He joined the U.S. Army instead and deployed to Korea where he served from 1951-1953.
Wade then enlisted in the Navy a second time
and was assigned to the 9th Naval District in Michigan. Over the next 24 years Wade served at
the Philadelphia Naval Yard, Mobile Construction Battalion in Rhode Island, the Naval Exam Center in Illinois, NMCB 5 in California and Naval Facilities in Japan until arriving in Gulfport in 1980.
During his military career, he and Barbara raised six children. Today, he is still active with the local chapter of the Seabee Veterans of American.
Wade is thankful for the opportunity to serve his country and with his beloved Seabees. “There’s none better than the Seabees and they are one of the most tight-knit communities in the entire United States Navy,” he beamed.
As the Seabees celebrate their 75th anniversary, Wade has been chosen to be the Grand Marshall for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade.
Retired Master Chief Richard Wade
Retired Master Chief Richard “Dick” Wade and his wife, Barbara, have made their home in Gulfport for 37 years and wouldn’t think of living anywhere else.
“I love this place and never thought about leaving after I retired. I think Barbara would have divorced me if I had ever tried to leave,” Wade laughed. “The Mississippi Gulf Coast has embraced the Seabees.”
In 1980 he received orders to Naval Construction Battalion Center to serve as the first command master chief of the base. Wade served another 10 years at NCBC with different commands and retired in 1990
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast has embraced the Seabees.”
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net July 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 51