During WWII Seabees of the 117th U.S. Naval Construction Battalion modified/created all of the main armament flame throwing tanks that were used in the Pacific War: by the USMC in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima, as well as the U.S. Army on Okinawa. They were a weapon Japanese troops feared and the Marine Corps said was the best weapon they had in the taking of Iwo Jima. After Okinawa the Army stated that the tanks had a psychological presence on the battlefield. U.S. troops preferred to follow them over standard armor for the fear they put in the enemy. The U.S. Army credits them with saving American lives.