Research Catalog

Title

First SEALs : the untold story of the forging of America's most elite unit / Patrick K. O'Donnell.

Author

O'Donnell, Patrick K., 1969-

Publication

Boston, MA : Da Capo Press, 2014.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xi, 290 pages : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

"The rich history of SEAL Team 6 that captured Osama bin Laden stretches back to World War II when US intelligence officials formed a team of special-operation combat swimmers. Under the leadership of Captain Jack Taylor, a California dentist, the Maritime Unit (MU) started training in 1942, learning underwater and covert operation techniques, as it developed an array of James Bond-like new equipment, including the recently invented underwater breathing apparatus, limpet mines, silent electric motors, and a collapsible eight-foot submarine. Finally deployed in 1944, the unit conducted some of the most daring, behind-enemy-lines operations of the war in Italy, where they linked up with fearsome Italian commandos. In one of its greatest coups, they captured the plans--and the architect--of Germany's famed Gothic Line, resulting in the Eighth Army's partial breakthrough. Filled with unforgettable characters, including the unit's charismatic leader, a Hollywood star, and a gritty New York City gas station owner, The First SEALs cinematically narrates one of the greatest untold stories of World War II and links their storied past to today's gloried US Navy SEALs"--

Alternative Title

First SEALs, the untold story

Subject

• United States. Navy > Commando troops > History
• United States. Navy. SEALs > History
• United States. Navy. Underwater Demolition Teams > History
• United States. Office of Strategic Services > History
• 1939-1945
• World War, 1939-1945 > Commando operations > United States
• World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Mediterranean Region
• World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Italy
• World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Austria
• World War, 1939-1945 > Amphibious operations
• HISTORY / Military / World War II
• HISTORY / Military / Special Forces

Genre/Form

History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Prologue: "Cavities in the Lion's Mouth": the birth of underwater combat swimming -- Area D -- The race to design a rebreather -- Combat swimmers -- Silver Springs -- Sea -- Crazy Yanks: The maritime unit's beachhead in Egypt -- Pirate Yachts and spies of the cloth -- "Haggling, bribing, fines, delays, inspections, bullshit -- Treasure Island -- The "Yankee", Operation Audrey, and the Boot -- "The Little Pearl Harbor" -- The Ultimate Rescue -- Back to Albania -- No Picnic -- The Kelly Plan -- Ossining -- Swimmer Commandos -- Air -- The Dupont Mission -- "I was promised this mission, and I want it" -- Land -- Vienna Captivity -- "Decima MAS" strikes back -- The Eighth Army detachment -- Stella -- Indiana Jones -- Surviving -- Mauthausen -- Last Acts -- God Bless America -- Sunset -- "This is the first time I've ever been in the movies -- Epilogue -- The First SEALs after the War.

ISBN

• 9780306821721 (hardback)
• 0306821729 (hardback)
• 9780306821738 (e-book) (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

^^2014026097

OCLC

• 883304949
• SCSB-11893387

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library