 The outbreak of war led to a new urgency, and by May 1942, some 13,000 workers were working around the clock on the building, which was completed in early 1943 at a cost of $63 million, the overrun being caused by the emphasis on speed and the addition of the extra floor.For his work with the Construction Division, Somervell was awarded an oak leaf cluster to his Distinguished Service Medal.Somervell hoped to become Chief of Engineers but was "not really in the running", being too junior in rank.