Special Operations.Com
A
Brief History of U.S. Naval Special Warfare
Today's SEAL Teams trace their
origins to the Scout and Raider units that invaded
North Africa in 1942 and the Naval Construction Battalion
volunteers who cleared beach obstacles for the amphibious
groups that invaded Sicily in 1943 and stormed the
beaches of Normandy in 1944
Focus
Feature:
Wonsan
Mine Clearance
Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Activities
off Wonsan, October 1950
In 1943, LCDR Draper L. Kauffman became the first
officer in charge of training the volunteer forces
which later became known as Naval Combat Demolition
Units (NCDUs). In accepting volunteers for duty,
Kauffman required that the men display outstanding
physical stamina, courage, and individual resourcefulness.
These professional standards - as well as the rigorous
training requirements Kauffman developed - remain
cornerstones of today's Naval Special Warfare program.
Navy SEALs derive their universally acknowledged
prestige and enduring reputation from the operational
successes of the Naval Combat Demolition and Scouts
and Raider Units. Pre-assault hydrographic reconnaissance
was an integral part of the demolition missions both
forces conducted throughout the Atlantic and Pacific
theaters during World War II. Before the end
of the war, the units were consolidated and renamed
Underwater Demolition Teams.
Also known as "Frogmen", the UDTs further
distinguished themselves throughout the Korean conflict,
taking part in the Inchon landing as well as demolition
raids on bridges and tunnels accessible from the water.
UDTs also conducted limited
mine sweeping operations in harbors and rivers.
Over time, the UDTs' tactical role expanded to include
direct-action demolition missions, guerrilla warfare,
combat operations and intelligence gathering deep
in enemy territory.
On 01 January 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed
documents aimed at expanding America's use of unconventional
warfare. In response to the changing military
role, the Navy commissioned SEAL teams ONE and TWO.
Formed entirely with personnel from the UDTs, the
SEAL Teams were established to conduct counterguerrilla
warfare and clandestine operations in maritime and
riverine environments.
Supported by an inventory of Special Boat Units,
the SEALs were baptized in the rivers and jungles
of Southeast Asia. Operating along with the UDTs during
the Vietnam conflict, these forces conducted direct
action raids and successfully interdicted major Vietcong
troop and supply movements.
Since the close of the Vietnam conflict, the remaining
UDTs were designated as SEAL Teams and SEAL Delivery
Vehicle Teams.
Post-Vietnam operations where elite Naval Special
Warfare Forces have distinguished themselves include
URGENT FURY (Grenada 1983); EARNEST WILL (Persian
Gulf 1987 - 1990); JUST CAUSE (Panama 1989-1990);
and DESERT STORM (Middle East/Persian Gulf 1990-1991)
More recently, SEALs haev conducted operations in
Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, and Liberia.
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