The 144th NCB (ABCD) left Port Hueneme, California on February 15, 1945. Its destination was the island of Guam, where it reported to the 5th NC Brigade on March 18. The battalion's designation as an advanced base construction depot unit meant that it operated a large depot that stored and issued construction equipment and and materials for the brigade. (Today, the naval construction force support unit handles this function.)

The 144th NCB (ABCD) reported directly to the officer in charge of Advanced Base Construction Depot, DUVA, regimental-sized command of the 5^th Brigade. At that time, regiments attached to the brigade were the 25^th NCR, 27^th NCR, 28^th NCR (Special) and 40th NCR. The 35th NCR was later attached to the brigade. The brigade directed all naval construction activities on Guam from the island's liberation in July 1944 until its decommissioning on October 31. 1947.

The depot That the 144th NCB (ABCD) operated supplied equipment and material needs for The brigade, whuich on April 1, 1945 consisted of four NCRs, 15 NCBs, 5 ½ NCBs (Special), one NCB (ABCD),. three CBMUs and 10 CBDs. Building the Navy's Bases in World War II describes the massive of the depot 91. "the advanced base construction depot covered 250 acres and had 369 buildings for general warehouses, spare-parts storage, equipment-overhaul and tire-repair, and a 2600-man camp."

ABCD Guam consisted of three specialized Seabee units: 144^th NCB (ABCD) which operated the depot; CBD 1059 (ACEORP) which operated an automotive and construction repair equipment overhaul and repair plant; and CBD (ACEPD) which operated an automotive and construction equipment parts depot.

Although the battalion shipped overseas with 27 officers and 1006 enlisted men, it was soon strengthened with 600 additional men from ABCD Pearl Harbor. By June 1, 1945, the 144th NCB (ABCD) reached its peak strength of 38 officers and 1590 enlisted men.

The 5th Brigade placed ABCD Duva in commission on April 1, 1945. The depot operated under brigade control until January 1, 1946 when it was transferred to the Naval Supply Depot, Guam-Saipan. The spare parts depot was also transferred to the supply depot.