-
Amphibious Scout and Raider School
After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the US recognized their need for a special forces group that could be deployed from beaches and coastal areas, so the military created the Amphibious Scout and Raider School. -
Underwater Demolition Teams
Towards the end of WWII, in 1944, the official formation of the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) underwent as a result of another need for coastal infiltration. -
Korean War
During the Korean War, the UDTs changed from being a defensive team, to an offensive unit. The UDTs conducted beach and river reconnaissance, infiltrated guerrillas from the sea, underwent mine sweeping operations, and participated in Operation Fishnet, which devastated the North Korean's fishing capability. -
Vietnam War
The official formation of the SEALs dates back to the Vietnam war in which they were created by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to fight against the Guerilla warfare of the Viet Cong. The goal was to form a maritime-based special forces group that would mirror the Army's "Green Berets." -
Operation: URGENT FURY
"SEALs performed exceptionally during pre-assault reconnaissance operations and were responsible for the rescue and evacuation of Governor Sir Paul Scoon during Operation Urgent Fury. For the most part Grenada was a failure in leadership and communications; however, they were failures that the SEALs could learn from" (SEAL History). -
Operation: Just Cause
During the invasion of Panama, the SEALs had specific objectives: destroy Gen. Noriega's boat and plane, and maintain control of an airfield. The boat desrtuction went as planned, but several SEALs were wounded and killed at the airbase. -
Maersk Alabama
Three Navy SEALs shot and killed the Somali pirated who took Captain Phillips hostage. -
Operation: NEPTUNE SPEAR
Under direction from Pres. Obama, Seal Team 6 infiltrated and killed Osama Bin-Laden in Islamabad, Pakistan at his house.
