About this Unit
SEAL Team One is one of the original two SEAL Teams established by the United States Navy in January 1962, following President John F. Kennedy’s call for elite, unconventional warfare units. The unit was initially headquartered in Coronado, California, and focused its operations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. SEAL Team One gained extensive combat experience during the Vietnam War, conducting reconnaissance, direct action, and unconventional warfare missions. Over the decades, the team has participated in numerous conflicts and operations, continuing its legacy as a premier maritime special operations force.
Historical Facts
•
Founding: SEAL Team One was established in January 1962 in Coronado, California, as one of the two original Navy SEAL teams (alongside SEAL Team Two).
•
Vietnam War Pioneers: SEAL Team One was deployed to Vietnam and became known for their unconventional guerrilla and counter-guerrilla tactics in the Mekong Delta, earning them the nickname "Men with Green Faces."
•
First Combat Missions: The unit's first combat missions were in Vietnam, where they conducted reconnaissance, direct action, and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines.
•
Decorations: Members of SEAL Team One received numerous awards for valor in Vietnam, including the Medal of Honor, Navy Crosses, and Silver Stars.
•
LRRP Operations: They often worked with Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units and South Vietnamese frogmen (LDNN) to conduct joint missions.
•
Clandestine Riverine Operations: SEAL Team One excelled in riverine warfare, operating small boats and kayaks for stealthy insertions and extractions in enemy-held territory.
•
Innovators in Tactics: The unit developed many of the modern-day SEAL tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) still in use by Naval Special Warfare Command.
•
Hostage Rescue Expertise: SEAL Team One laid the groundwork for the SEALs’ later role as premier hostage rescue operators, influencing the formation of specialized units like DEVGRU (SEAL Team Six).
•
Pacific Area of Responsibility: The team is primarily tasked with operations in the Pacific and Asian regions, supporting U.S. interests and allies throughout the Pacific Rim.
•
Legacy: SEAL Team One alumni include legendary SEALs such as Rudy Boesch and Richard "Dick" Marcinko, who later founded SEAL Team Six.
