Elzo “Bud” Pettijohn

Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class Elzo "Bud" Pettijohn was born on December 30, 1919, in Vernonia, Oregon. Bud had worked in construction so he enlisted at age 22 in the Navy Seabees to serve in World War II.

Bud served in the 48th Naval Construction Battalion during the years 1942 to 1945. The 48th Battalion was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands at Oahu and Maui and overseas at Guam and the Mariana Islands.

Bud began his service in November of 1942 when his unit started training at NCTC, Norfolk, Virginia. Bud and the 48th Construction Battalion (CBs) departed on the USS Henderson on February 21, 1943, from Point Hueneme, California headed to the Hawaiian Islands. During his service, Bud would be stationed in the Hawaiian Islands at Oahu and Maui and overseas at Guam and the Mariana Islands.

The 48th Seabees construction work on Maui, Hawaii is outlined in "Seabee-Book--Building the Navy's Bases in World War II Volume II." "On April 1, 1943, the 48th Seabees replaced contractors and assumed responsibility for the completion of the Naval air station at Puunene, Maui. The 48th Seabees built airstrips and structures to permit advanced training and staging for fighter, torpedo-bomber, and dive-bomber pilots. Each airstrip was lengthened by 2,000 feet and paved with asphaltic concrete.

Base facilities including an assembly and repair building, bakery, dispensary, torpedo shop, theater, and additional housing and warehouses were constructed by the 48th Construction Battalion. In addition, they installed complete water and sewage systems, including a 500,000-gallon circular reinforced concrete water storage tank, and a power distribution system supplied by the local company's existing transmission lines.

After World War II, Bud returned to Oregon and married Verona (Vee) McKittrick. They had two daughters and lived in Portland, Oregon.

Bud furthered his education and experience in engineering and construction. He was a Professional Engineer and Surveyor licensed in Oregon and Washington. Bud had a successful career and co-owned Pettijohn Engineering Company with his brother Norman (Norm) Pettijohn in Portland, Oregon for 32 years.

Bud served on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Line Constructors Chapter (NECA). He was also a licensed pilot.

His family is proud to honor Elzo "Bud" Pettijohn and his service during World War II with the Navy Seabees!