Retired and energetic operators, representing warfighters from each period of American fight because the Vietnam Conflict, reunited with former teammates. Enlisted Sailors and officers alike stood united by the trident they’d all earned and worn on their chests.
SEAL Staff 1 Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Aman Grant commemorated the close by seaside that had been the forging floor for America’s most formidable warriors throughout his opening invocation.
“For 60 years, these American males, who liked the Structure of our nation, American males who had self-sacrifice twisted of their DNA, American males who lived to the beat of a distinct drum, American males who have been each quiet but lethal, loud and proud!” Grant pronounced powerfully. “For 60 years, these males have been birthed into SEALs from this Pacific salt and Coronado sand.”
Grant’s sermon to 60 years of SEAL historical past acquired roaring applause from previous and current SEALs, who shared recollections of perseverance and being pushed to their limits just some miles down the seaside.
The Naval Particular Warfare group’s historical past predates the SEAL groups’ institution by twenty years. In August 1942, the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders (Joint) and the Particular Mission Naval Demolition Unit have been established at Amphibious Coaching Base Little Creek, Virginia, to carry out particular missions throughout Operation Torch – the allied invasion of North Africa – in November 1942.
Quickly after, the Chilly Conflict introduced a brand new period of battle and geopolitics, calling for a brand new kind of warfighter.
In his 1961 inaugural tackle, President John F. Kennedy assured the world of America’s resolve towards the challenges it might quickly face.
“Let each nation know, whether or not it needs us properly or unwell, that we will pay any worth, bear any burden, meet any hardship, help any pal, oppose any foe to guarantee the survival and the success of liberty,” mentioned Kennedy. “This a lot we pledge–and extra.”
Lower than one full yr later, Kennedy established the primary SEAL groups at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, in January 1962, pulling Sailors from preexisting underwater demolition groups. There was no celebration or ceremony to mark the event, solely the quiet understanding the U.S. Navy wanted an unconventional maritime warfare functionality.
For the 60 unique members of SEAL Staff 1, often known as its plank house owners, their mission was to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, and clandestine operations. They’d quickly face their first take a look at in Vietnam.
Sixty years later, the operators of SEAL Staff 1 stand upon the shoulders of these first 60.
For the reason that inception of the SEAL Groups, their operations have spanned the globe, taking part in each main U.S. battle. The geography and the capabilities could have modified, however not the kind of individual wanted to fulfill the challenges.
“Our new equipment is a bit upgraded, however I believe you will acknowledge the traits of our younger warriors aren’t any completely different from our founders in January of 1962,” mentioned Cmdr. Marty Timmons, SEAL Staff 1’s thirtieth and present commanding officer.
The power of the SEAL group derives from the people on the groups, and the dedication they’ve to one another, in and out of the fight zone.
Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the SEAL Groups honors that dedication. All through months of planning, members in any respect ranges used each group chat and speak to distro listing they might discover to contact SEAL Staff 1 alumni close to and much to make the journey to Coronado.
The planning efforts resulted in an attendance of almost 300 friends, together with roughly 150 retired SEAL Staff 1 alumni.
Present members of SEAL Staff 1 greeted previous teammates and their households. Connecting friends with the previous, the group hosted static shows of latest and outdated SEAL gear and uniforms, weapons shows, outdated underwater demolition handbooks, and images and medals offered by a few of the plank-owning members of SEAL Staff 1.
It was a chance for retired operators to reminisce and share classes with present operators, as individuals who had beforehand walked of their footwear and knew their journey properly.
In his tackle to the gang, Timmons thanked the previous SEAL Staff 1 members and their households for making the journey to have a good time the milestone. He additionally honored the Gold Star households of the SEALs who paid the last word sacrifice.
Timmons gave particular recognition to 2 plank house owners in attendance, James Kinney, SEAL Staff 1’s first government officer, and Arthur Abbett, whom he thanked “for being the true pathfinders for our group.”
Timmons then launched the ceremony’s visitor of honor, retired Rear Adm. Thomas “The Hulk” Richards.
A SEAL legend for a lot of within the crowd, Richards went to Primary Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) after his commissioning in 1969 and accomplished coaching with Class 55 in April 1970. He was assigned to SEAL Staff 1 and deployed to South Vietnam from August 1970 to February 1971, the place he was wounded in a firefight with the Viet Cong and later awarded the Purple Coronary heart and Bronze Star for his actions.
Whereas Richards didn’t get an opportunity to deploy once more to Vietnam after recovering from his wounds, the rest of his 30-year profession would cowl all sides of Naval Particular Warfare. He went on to serve a number of employees and command positions earlier than returning to SEAL Staff 1 as its thirteenth commanding officer from 1986 to 1988. Richards completed his service because the commander of Naval Particular Warfare Command from 1996 to 1999, the place he led the following technology of SEALs into the fashionable period.
Richards spoke on the shared trials the SEALs in attendance had overcome, the ever-widening scope of the Naval Particular Warfare mission from when he joined to now, and the way the teachings from those that had gone earlier than nonetheless utilized at the moment.
“Dedication, focus, dedication, private sacrifice, the power to persevere beneath excessive duress, these traits are the explanation why we’re nonetheless right here 60 years later because the premier particular operations group that we’re,” mentioned Richards “I’ve at all times mentioned that the perfect attribute that we’ve got as SEALS, and the perfect weapon we carry to the desk or the combat, is that we’re the perfect downside solvers throughout the Division of Protection. Interval.”
The sixtieth anniversary concluded with a Star Ceremony to honor the latest passing of three SEAL Staff 1 plank house owners. It’s a custom that serves to honor the reminiscence of the SEAL group’s founding members, remind present command members of the Naval Particular Warfare legacy, and supply surviving households with a connection to the service of their family members.
Ronald Gauthier joined UDT-12 in 1961 and joined SEAL Staff 1 in 1962, the place he served till 1965. He continued to serve within the Naval Reserves from 1983 to 1999. His three daughters positioned a star subsequent to his identify on the SEAL Staff 1 plank proprietor plaque.
Peter Slempa enlisted in 1954, becoming a member of UDT-11 in 1957. He then joined SEAL Staff 1 in 1962, finishing six excursions in Vietnam from 1962 to 1972. Slempa would grow to be SEAL Staff 1’s first command grasp chief and later function the group commander for the Leap Frogs. His brother-in-law positioned a star on the SEAL Staff 1 plank proprietor plaque subsequent to his identify.
Jack Perkins enlisted at 17 in 1948 and joined SEAL Staff 1 in 1962 from his underwater demolition group. He served a number of excursions in Vietnam and retired as a chief petty officer. His spouse positioned a star on the SEAL Staff 1 plank proprietor plaque subsequent to his identify.
Since 1962, Naval Particular Warfare has been the nation’s premier maritime particular operations pressure – a extremely dependable and deadly pressure –able to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with companions, in help of nationwide aims, and uniquely positioned to increase the Fleet’s attain, delivering all-domain choices for naval and joint pressure commanders.
For extra information from Naval Particular Warfare Command, go to https://www.fb.com/NavalSpecialWarfare or https://www.nsw.navy.mil/.
