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The Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALs: A Story of World War II

Curtis Stewart

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Published in Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story Of The Demolition Divers Who Became The Navy SEALS

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During World War II, a group of demolition divers known as the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) played a vital role in clearing obstacles and destroying enemy fortifications. These elite divers were the forerunners of the modern-day Navy SEALs, and their story is one of courage, innovation, and sacrifice.

Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS

by Andrew Dubbins

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9455 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	455 pages

The Birth of the UDTs

The UDTs were created in 1942, in response to the need for a specialized force to clear underwater obstacles and destroy enemy fortifications. The first UDT was formed at Fort Pierce, Florida, and was made up of a group of volunteers from the Navy's Construction Battalions (Seabees). These men were trained in underwater demolition techniques, and they were equipped with a variety of explosives and diving equipment.

The UDTs quickly proved their worth in combat. In 1943, they participated in the invasion of Sicily, where they cleared underwater obstacles and destroyed enemy beach defenses. They also played a vital role in the D-Day landings in Normandy, where they cleared underwater obstacles and destroyed German bunkers.

The Pacific War

The UDTs also served in the Pacific War, where they played a vital role in the amphibious landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. At Iwo Jima, the UDTs cleared underwater obstacles and destroyed Japanese beach defenses, while at Okinawa, they conducted underwater reconnaissance and demolition missions.

The UDTs were a highly effective force, and they played a vital role in the Allied victory in World War II. Their courage, innovation, and sacrifice helped to pave the way for the modern-day Navy SEALs.

The Legacy of the UDTs

The legacy of the UDTs lives on today in the Navy SEALs. The SEALs are the direct descendants of the UDTs, and they continue to carry out the same vital missions that the UDTs pioneered during World War II.

The SEALs are the Navy's premier maritime special operations force, and they are responsible for conducting a wide range of missions, including underwater demolition, reconnaissance, and counterterrorism. The SEALs are highly trained and equipped, and they are capable of operating in a variety of environments, from the Arctic to the desert.

The SEALs are a proud and storied force, and they owe much of their success to the legacy of the UDTs. The UDTs were the pioneers of underwater demolition and warfare, and they set the standard for the SEALs that followed.

The story of the UDTs is a story of courage, innovation, and sacrifice. These elite divers played a vital role in the Allied victory in World War II, and their legacy lives on today in the Navy SEALs. The SEALs are the direct descendants of the UDTs, and they continue to carry out the same vital missions that the UDTs pioneered during World War II.

Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS

by Andrew Dubbins

4.5 out of 5