by Couch, Dick
I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.
We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.
I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.
We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me—my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.
We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.
Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.
APPENDIX E
THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
The Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, is home to a memorial dedicated to honoring the Scouts and Raiders, NCDUs, UDTs, and Navy SEALs who have been killed in the line of duty. Here are the names of the men so honored as they are listed by the museum, as of the writing of this book.
WORLD WAR II & KOREA (1941–1953)
96 PERSONNEL
1. Howe, Kenneth E. “Rip”; Lt
2. Pirro, Carmon F. “Cuz”; Ens
3. Donnell, John Gerald “Jerry”; Lt
4. Olson, Richard Roderick; S1c
5. Tascillo, Matteo; Cox
6. Guess, Teddy O’Brian “Teddy”; MM1c
7. Vetter, Alvin Edward; Lt(jg)
8. Abbott, George L.; BM2c
9. Alexander, Henry Richard; SF2c
10. Bussell, John Edward; Ens
11. Cook, John William; S2c
12. DeGregorio, Carmine; S2c
13. Demmer, Peter Mathew; S2c
14. Dillon, Thomas Justin; S2c
15. Dombek, Walter Joseph; S1c
16. Doran, William Robert; S2c
17. Drew, Elmer Malcolm; S2c
18. Duncan, Harold E.; GM2c
19. Fabich, Henry Samuel; GM1c
20. Fleming, Andrew Jackson; CEM
21. Fuller Sr., John Anthony “Johnny”; GM2c
22. Gouinlock, George Linzy; Ens
23. Goulder, Preston Hardaway; GM2c
24. Greenfield, Edward Joseph; S2c
25. Harang, Richard David; MM1c
26. Herring, Clifford Palmer; GM2c
27. Hickey, Arthur Burton; QM3c
28. Holtman, Orvid J.; Lt(jg)
29. Hudson, Alton E.; BM1c
30. Jacobson, John A.; CBM
31. Jarosz, Edward Anthony; SF1c
32. McDermott, John Daniel; MM1c
33. McGeary, Donald C.; SF2c
34. Millis, Conrad Clarence; CCM
35. Mingledorff Jr., Ozie Claud; GM2c
36. Olive, Jesse D.; GM2c
37. Perkins, Frank James; BM2c
38. Pienack, Raymond Rudolph; GM2c
39. Sullivan Jr., Maurice Francis; S2c
40. Weatherford, Milton Parker; GM1c
41. Weckman, Lawrence I.; GM1c
42. Christensen, Robert V. “Bob”; SF1c
43. Weidner, Albert Garhardt “Gary”; SF2c
44. Blowers, Ralph A.; W.O. (Carp.)
45. Nixon, Thomas Dervus; Ens
46. Black, Robert Armstrong “Bob”; QM1c
47. MacMahon, John Churchill; SP1c
48. Roeder, Howard Livingston “Red”; CGM
49. Audibert, Benoit Bernard “Frenchy”; CM1c
50. Kasman, Brennan W.; MM2c
51. Tilton, Edward; MM2c
52. Lauderdale, Kenneth Broughton; SF1c
53. Wannamaker, Richard C.; Ens
54. Prall, Carroll Bert; GM1c
55. Blettel, David; MM1c
56. Castillo, Guadalupe; S1c
57. Gamache, Wilfred Dolar; CCM
58. Hopkins, Robert Lee; CM3c
59. Lewis, William Robert; SM3c
60. Malfeo, Marvin Antonio; Ens
61. McKnight, Thomas Rex; GM
62. Rodriquez; James Lawrence “Wahoo”; MoMM2c
63. Rossart, Joseph William; MM2c
64. Scoggins, F.P.; SK1c
65. Sugden, William Lloyd; GM3c
66. LeBlanc, Lawrence Raymond “Ray”; SF2c
67. Anderson, Edward Wilson “Andy”; CM1c
68. Yates, Lee Carlton; Lt(jg)
69. Allen, Kermit; BM2c
70. Beason, Edwin Albert; CCM
71. Blackwood, Buress Lee; MM2c
72. Blanot, Harry Thomas; CM1c
73. Davis, Paul Harrison; RM3c
74. Dolan, Patrick Raymond; MoMM2c
75. Flemming, Joseph Leo; CM2c
76. Gordon, Paul Eugene; SF1c
77. Hilke, Earl Everett; MM2c
78. Kalman, Louis Emery “Shorty”; GM2c
79. Maki, Eugene Elmer; CM3c
80. Mecale, John; BM2c
81. Rodman, James Emerson; MM2c
82. Runnels, Adrian; S1c
83. Sumpter, Frank Warren; MoMM3c
84. Szych, Chester; MM2c
85. Watkins, Thomas Jackson; EM1c
86. Willbanks, Herman Delmar; F1c
87. Eckert, Edmund P.; GM2c
88. Netz, Louis Gustave; GM1c
89. Lynch, Francis Joseph; Cox
90. Bock Jr., Leonard Joseph; S1c
91. Masden, Charles F.; S1c
92. Irish, Edgar William; GM1c
93. Esau, John Jacob; Cox
94. Frey Jr., Edward Ivan; Lt(jg)
95. Satterfield, Paul Veston “Satch”; ENFN
96. Berry, Ronald Albert; SA
VIETNAM & COLD WAR (1954–1989)
103 PERSONNEL
1. Phipps, George Thomas; BM1
2. Cunningham, John Randolph “Jack”; ATN2
3. McAllister, Thomas Anthony; GMG1
4. Dowd, Timothy Clement; SA
5. Painter, William Gissal; LTJG
6. Eskotter, Anthony Willis “Tony”; SA
7. Coates, Richard J.; SA
8. Samuelson, Leroy Oscar “Sam”/“Sammy”; SA
9. Walsh, Clifford Leroy; SA
10. Allard, Robert L. “Bob”; RM3
11. Salas, Joseph O.; CE2
12. Fox, James Earl; PH3
13. Marshall, Walter Alan “Horse”; SA
14. Geiger, Leroy Calvin “Gedunk”; MMFN
15. Fauls Jr., Raymond A.; SN
16. Fleming, Robert R.; CM2
17. Melochick, Melvin F.; MM3
18. Chester, David A.; ENS
19. Fay, Robert Joseph; CDR
20. Gough, Marcell Rene; ET1
21. Machen, Billy Wayne; RD2
22. Dubak, Douglas R.; FN
23. Boston, Donald Earl; IC3
24. Mann, Daniel McCarthy; LT
25. Neal, Ronald Keith; RM3
26. Funk Jr., Leslie Harold; SM3
27. Antone, Frank George; SN
28. Keith, Roy Benjamin; SN
29. Williams Jr., Arthur C. “One Lump”; GMG1
30. Condon, Robert Eugene; LCDR
31. Fraley, Eugene Thomas “Gene”; ADR2
32. Risher III, Clarence T.; AMH2
33. Turner, Dennis R.; IC2
34. Frederickson, Delmar D.; SN
35. Pope, Walter Glen; BM1
36. Devine, David Eu
gene “Skinner”; SFP2
37. Zillgitt, Donald Henry; SK2
38. Patrick, Donnie Lee “Pat”; CS1
39. Brown, Gordon Curtiss; EMC
40. Albrecht, Joseph Alfred; MM1
41. Wagner, Robert Kay “Bob”; SK1
42. Tinnin, Eugene Sanford “Gene”; CWO1
43. Trani Jr., Frederick Eugene “Rick”; LT
44. Ramos, Roberto; ABH2
45. Wilson, David Allen “Willy Lump”; LSMC
46. Mattingly Jr., Harry Albert; GMG1
47. Worthington, Robert Leroy; HMC
48. Meyer, Lowell Wayne “Wayne”; MM2
49. Pace, Ronald Earl; QM2
50. Van Hoy, Kenneth Edward “Ken”; ATN1
51. Mahner, Lin Albert; HM1
52. Nicholas, David Lamprey; LTJG
53. Wolfe, Richard Ogden; HM1
54. Ashton, Curtis Morris “Butch”; AE1
55. Brewton, John Cooke “Bubba”; LTJG
56. Sadlik, John E.; ATR2
57. Donnelly III, John Joseph; RMSN
58. Durlin, John Stewart; SM3
59. Gore, James Raymond; BM3
60. Solano, Richard John; MM2
61. Thomas, Toby Arthur; FN
62. Williams Jr., Lawrence C.; HM3
63. Palma, Luco William; SN
64. Bomar, Frank Willis; ENC
65. Riter, James L. “Gasman”; EM3
66. Thames, James Franklin; LT
67. Birky, Harold Edwin; FN
68. Tolison, James Paul; ENS
69. Collins, Michael Raymond; LT
70. Moe, Lester James “Les”; TM1
71. Waters, Franklin Gerald “Jerry”; BM1
72. Dry, Melvin Spence “Spence”; LT
73. Goodson, Richard Calvin; GMT2
74. Watkins, James Lorenzo “Cookie”; EM3
75. Casco, Joseph M.; RM2
76. Squires, John J. “Jack”; EM1
77. James, John Mike; SA
78. Doheny, Richard William “Harpo”; HT2
79. Greer, Richard Allen; HT3
80. Kelly, Paul P.; FN
81. Harris, Mark Ewen; HTFN
82. McCarthy, Joseph Frank; GMG2
83. Choi, Rodney Gilbert; EN1
84. Bond, Richard David; QM3
85. Robinson, William Clinton; ENS
86. Hersey, Gary Francis; MR2
87. Schaufelberger III, Albert Arthur; LCDR
88. Langelier, David Philip; STG2 KIT
89. Butcher, Kenneth John “John”; MM1
90. Morris, Stephen Leroy “Steve”; HT1
91. Lundberg, Kevin Erin “Kodiak”; QM1
92. Schamberger, Robert Rudolf; ENCS
93. Blackiston III, Slator Clay; LT
94. Fusco, Arthur Albert; QM3
95. Sadilek, William Louis “Bill”; LTJG
96. Horn, Richard Michael “Rich”; EN2
97. Hall, John Francis; BTC
98. Station, Paul Christopher; LT
99. Lancaster, John Michael; MM2
100. Connors, John Patrick; LTJG
101. McFaul, Donald Lewis; ENC
102. Rodriguez III, Isaac Georgetti “Ike”; TM2
103. Tilghman, Christopher “Chris”; BM1
DESERT STORM & GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR (1990–PRESENT)
81 PERSONNEL
1. Greppin III, Ernest Haquette “Ernie”; LTJG
2. Dean, Carter Myers “Dino”; GMG2
3. Wilson Sr., Mark Russell; LT
4. Pruitt, Jason Early; BM2
5. Voight, Steven Mark; AW1
6. Moreland, Theodore Michael; QMC
7. Kimura, Keith Masao “Kiko”; HM2
8. Clearwater, Carl Jerome; STG1
9. Stone, Larry Allen “Allen”; YN2
10. Tucker, Brad Keith “Brad”; HM1
11. Bearden Jr., Michael Delane “Tatanka”; PR3
12. Burkhart, Chad Michael; GMG2
13. Danielson, Scott Michael “Scotty”; HT2
14. Blais, Rock Edward; LCDR
15. Roberts, Neil Christopher; ABH1
16. Bourgeois, Matthew Joseph “Meat”; HMC
17. Oswald, Peter George “Pete”; CDR
18. Pope II, Jerry Oreall “Buck”; ENS
19. Retzer, Thomas Eugene; IC1
20. Maestas, Mario Gabriel; IT2
21. Tapper, David Martin “Dave”; PH1
22. Ouellette, Brian Joseph; BM1
23. Fitzhenry, Theodore Dilworth “Fitz”; HMCS
24. Murphy, Michael Patrick; LT
25. Axelson, Matthew Gene “Axe”; STG2
26. Dietz Jr., Danny Phillip “DJ”; GM2
27. Fontan, Jacques Jules; FCC
28. Healy, Daniel Richard; ITCS
29. Kristensen; Erik Samsel “Erik”; LCDR
30. Lucas, Jeffrey Alan “Jeff”; ET1
31. McGreevy Jr., Michael Martin; LT
32. Patton, Shane Eric “Eric”; MM1
33. Suh, James Erik; QM2
34. Taylor, Jeffrey Scott “Jeff”; HM1
35. Lee, Marc Alan; AO2
36. Monsoor, Michael Anthony “Mike”; MA2
37. Schwedler, Joseph Clark; SO2
38. Lewis, Jason Dale; SO1
39. Carter, Mark Thomas “Badger”; SOC
40. Ghane Jr., Shapoor Alexander “Alex”; SO2
41. Hardy, Nathan Hall; SOC
42. Koch, Michael Eugene; SOC
43. Valentine, Thomas John “Tommy”; SOCS
44. Vaccaro, Lance Michael; SOC
45. Harris, Joshua Thomas “Josh”; SO1
46. Freiwald, Jason Richard; SOC
47. Marcum, John Wayne “Dusty”; SOCS
48. Shellenberger, Erik F.; SOC
49. Job, Ryan Curtis; SO2
50. Woodle, Ronald Tyler; SO2
51. Brown, Adam Lee; SOC
52. Thomas, Collin Trent; SOC
53. Smith, Adam Olin; SO2
54. Looney, Brendan John; LT
55. Miranda, Denis; SO3
56. Benson, Darrik Carlyle; SO1
57. Bill, Brian Robert; SOC
58. Campbell, Christopher George; SOC
59. Faas, John Weston; SOC
60. Houston, Kevin Arthur; SOC
61. Kelsall, Jonas Benton; LCDR
62. Langlais, Louis James; SOCM
63. Mason, Matthew David; SOC
64. Mills, Stephen Matthew; SOC
65. Pittman, Jesse Daryl; SO1
66. Ratzlaff, Thomas Arthur; SOCS
67. Reeves, Robert James; SOC
68. Robinson, Heath Michael; SOCS
69. Spehar, Nicholas Patrick; SO2
70. Tumilson, Jon Thomas; SO1
71. Vaughn, Aaron Carson; SOC
72. Workman, Jason Ray; SOC
73. Nelson, Caleb Andrew; SO1
74. Feeks, Patrick Delaney; SO1
75. Warsen, David John; SO2
76. Kantor, Matthew Geoffrey; SO2
77. Ebbert, Kevin Richard; SO1
78. Checque, Nicholas David; SO1
79. Leathers, Matthew John; SO1
80. Shadle, Brett David; SOCS
81. Kaloust, Jonathan H.; SO3
Source: The Navy SEAL Museum
NOTES ON KEY SOURCES
This book is based on interviews with more than one hundred men who have served in the U.S. Navy Naval Combat Demolition Units, Scouts and Raiders, Underwater Demolition Units, SEALs, and other Naval Special Warfare and U.S. military units. The interviews were conducted by the authors and by Carol L. Fleisher for the PBS special that accompanies this book. It is also based on declassified government documents and historical and journalistic accounts.
The book is also informed by Dick Couch’s experiences as a UDT member and Navy SEAL, and by his research, reporting, and writing on SEAL operations and training for his books The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228 (Three Rivers Press, 2003), The Finishing School: Earning the Navy SEAL Trident (Crown, 2004), Down Range: Navy
SEALs in the War on Terrorism (Three Rivers Press, 2005), and The Sheriff of Ramadi: Navy SEALs and the Winning of al-Anbar (U.S. Naval Institute Press, 2008).
The SEALs have been the subject of a tidal wave of books and articles in recent years. Those that were most helpful to our research are listed below, along with key source notes for each chapter.
ARCHIVES
Naval Special Warfare Command Historical Files, Coronado, California: a key source for our research was this remarkable collection of thousands of pages of declassified files dating back to 1942, covering a wide spectrum of Naval Special Warfare history. They include unit histories, after-action reports, cable and radio traffic, mission logs, intelligence reports and debriefings, interrogation reports, ships logs, letters, oral histories, personal diaries, lessons-learned studies, press clippings and photographs.
U.S. Navy Heritage and History Command Archive, Washington, D.C.
National Archives, Washington D.C.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Columbia Point, Massachusetts
The Navy SEALs Museum, Fort Pierce, Florida
Materials donated to the authors from private collections
BOOKS
Herbert Best, The Webfoot Warriors: The Story of UDT, the U.S. Navy’s Underwater Demolition Team (John Day, 1962).
T. L. Bosiljevac, SEALs: UDT/SEAL Operations in Vietnam (Ballantine Books, 1990).
Elizabeth K. Bush, America’s First Frogman: The Draper Kauffman Story (Naval Institute Press, 2004).
Dennis J. Cummings, The Men Behind the Trident: SEAL Team One in Vietnam (Naval Institute Press, 1997).
Kevin Dockery, from interviews by Bud Brutsman, Navy SEALs: A Complete History (Berkley Books, 2004).
John B. Dwyer, Scouts and Raiders: The Navy’s First Special Warfare Commandos (Praeger, 1993).
Francis D. Fane and Don Moore, The Naked Warriors (Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1956).
Bill Fawcett, Hunters and Shooters: An Oral History of the U.S. Navy SEALs in Vietnam (William Morrow, 1995).
Michael E. Haas, In the Devil’s Shadow: UN Special Operations During the Korean War (Naval Institute Press, 2000).
Orr Kelly, Brave Men, Dark Waters (Presidio, 1992).
Don Mann and Ralph Pezzullo, Inside SEAL Team Six: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors (Little, Brown, 2011).
Susan L. Marquis, Unconventional Warfare: Rebuilding U.S. Special Operations Forces (Brookings Institution Press, 1997).
James Douglas O’Dell, The Water Is Never Cold: The Origins of the U.S. Navy’s Combat Demolition Units, UDTs, and SEALs (Brassey’s, 2001).
Patrick K. O’Donnell, Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs: The Unknown Story of World War II’s OSS (Citadel Press, 2006).
