First SEALs

The Untold Story of the Forging of America's Most Elite Unit

By: Patrick O'Donnell

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Paperback | 27 October 2015

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Paperback
320 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
15.6 x 22.9 x 2.8

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Beginning in the summer of 1942, an extraordinary group of men—among them a dentist, a Hollywood movie star, an archaeologist, California surfers, and even former enemies of the Allies—united to form an exceptional unit that would forge the capabilities of the Navy’s Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams. Known as the Maritime Unit, it comprised America’s first swimmer-commandos, an elite breed of warrior-spies who were decades ahead of their time when they created the tactics, technology, and philosophy that inspire today’s Navy SEALs.

The pioneering men of the Maritime Unit conducted some of the most daring operations behind enemy lines and even survived one of the Third Reich’s infamous concentration camps. But after the war, their astonishing record of activity and achievement was classified, lost, and largely forgotten...until now. In First SEALs, Patrick K. O’Donnell unearths their incredible history—one of the greatest untold stories of World War II.

Industry Reviews

Military Review, U.S. Army "One of the world's preeminent military historians" Sacramento Bee "The Navy's Sea, Air, and Land teams (SEAL) are rightfully legendary, but until now their origin has been obscured by time. In this behind-the-scenes history, readers learn how a World War II group known as the Maritime Unit became the template for today's elite special force." Portland Book Review, 3/5/15 "Those having interest in World War II history will love the result of [O'Donnell's] research...The writing in this book is very good, very readable." Proceedings, June 2015 "O'Donnell sets the scene for today's SEALs and provides the reader with the history of the inception of Navy special operations." Seapower, June 2015 "Much of the history of the MU was buried in classified archives until unearthed by the author." Military Heritage, July 2015 "Extensive research and interviews have now brought this story back to light. The author is an established authority on special operations forces and his new book sheds light on the origin of the SEALs."

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