Seals in Action

by Kevin Dockery

Book Overview

Warriors of the Trident From the bullet-swept beaches of Normandy to the streets of Panama...From the rugged Korean coast and the jungles of Vietnam to the tiny, troubled island of Granada. For half a century, whenever and wherever America's military was called into action, the SEALs were there. Here is the riveting and complete true story of the U.S. Navy's remarkable Sea Air Land commandos -- their evolution from World War II underwater demolition...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380758865
• ISBN13: 9780380758869
• Release Date: February 1991
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

the Amazing world of U.S. Navy SEALS

"Seals in Action" by Kevin Dockery Dockery tells us of the origin of the "frogmen" or U. S. Navy Seals and this book fascinated me. From the beginnings of the WWII Underwater Demolition Teams, to the modern day Seal Teams, the trials that these men endured must command respect. Why? I'll tell you exactly why. The evolution of all skills, whether military, or simply an advance in construction engineering, all come at the price of HUMAN SUFFERING, but even moreso for military duties. The suffering and hardships of Underwater Demolition Teams and their heirs, the SEALS is just part of the price they pay to do their job. I knew a SEAL once, who had gone on "snatch" missions to free U.S. Flyers trapped in North Vietnamese prison camps. He told a little about the surprise the POW's felt to be literally yanked into the river and having a breathing apparatus shoved into their mouth. I respected the man. There was no question that every where he walked, he "owned" it. When we sat down to coffee, peace reigned supreme, and he was full of human kindness. I never heard him utter a harsh word toward anyone. According to Dockery, In WWII, the CDU's (Combat Demolition Units) or NCDU's (Naval Combat Demolition Units) in the vital combat operations during the D-Day landings, 31 of 175 men of the NCDU were killed, and 60 wounded, at OMAHA beach alone. Seven men received the Navy Cross, the highest award, shy of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since my father fought in this war, the combat operations of the NCDU's means something personal to me. These were men ready to lay their lives on the line to get the job done. No finer men walk the earth. It isn't only combat that can be fatal to these men. Just Training alone, can result in fatality. Swamps, alligators, rattlesnakes, and unforseen accidents can all take their toll. These men train to the extreme. Docker covers the combat operations in quite a bit of detail, so that you feel that you are there, that you know these men, wondering if they shall come back after swimming miles to an enemy beach, and then back. The simple possibility of just getting washed out to see is a reality. Now, the NCDU's are re-named; they are the UDT's (Underwater Demolition Teams) Dockery covers the campaigns at Tarawa, Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu etc. These were all islands that U. S. Marines would have to land on. The lives of many Marines depend upon how well the UDT's do their job. UDT's are working with explosive blocks 2" x 11", a mixture of 75% Tetrytol and 25% TNT, attached to a line of Primacord to demolish "Hedgehog" beach obstacles, and working from submarines. The Korean War is covered, and on into the Vietnam War. Now the "frogmen" are U.S. Navy SEALS, and their acts of heroism are given in detail by Docker. The Grenada conflict is covered. SEAL TEAM 6: The last of the book covers the counter-ter

A Quick and Dirty History of the Navy SEALs

A good book that covers the beginning of the Navy Seals way back when they were called frogmen (They pioneered scuba gear). Their disbandment after the war and their re-establishment by order of President Kennedy. I liked the chapter of the book about the Bull Frog of the Pond. The longest serving SEAL is the Bull Frog. The name of the Bull Frog featured in that chapter looked familiar until I saw an episode of "Survivor". It's RUDY before he retired from the service and played the game!!! Oh-Rah, Rudy!!!

A great book for those interested in the SEALs !

This well written book starts out in WWII with the UDTs and takes you all the way to the Persian Gulf and beyond. Very descriptive chapters about BUD\S, SDVs(swimmer delivery vehicle), and SEAL Team Six! Also includes informative pictures troughout the book, eight pages of pictures in the middle of the book, and a very detailed glossary! This book is truly an inside look at the SEAL organization, traing and equipment. I highly recomend this book to anyone interested in learning about, or even becoming a SEAL!