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By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs
A gripping history chronicling the fits and starts of American special operations and the ultimate rise of the Navy SEALs from unarmed frogmen to elite, go-anywhere commandos--as told by one of their own.
Just how and why did the U.S. Navy--the branch of the U.S. military tasked with patrolling the oceans--ever manage to produce raiders trained to operate on land? More, how did a unit that had no business existing come to lead the ranks of the world's most elite commandos, routinely striking thousands of miles from the water into the deserts and mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Behind those questions lies an incredible underdog tale of American military history--and in By Water Beneath the Walls, former Navy SEAL Benjamin H. Milligan tells it as never before.
In chapters built around key raids and told through the eyes of remarkable leaders both famous and forgotten, Milligan brings to life the SEALs' predecessors in World War II, the Korean War, and elsewhere; lands us on the beaches of the Bay of Pigs Invasion where the Navy alone emerges with a dedication to commando raiding; and launches us into the rivers and highlands of Vietnam, the proving ground where the SEALs discover the mission of capture-kill and cement their future for decades to come.
Yet as the SEALs made their transition to elite commandos, again and again it seemed predestined that some other unit--the Recon Marine, the Green Beret, the Army Ranger--would race to that finish line first. Ranging from the battlefield to the boardroom, Milligan reveals here the fateful victories and defeats that shaped those units in other directions--and how, in each key moment, the Navy contrived to sail into the gaps left behind.
Written with uncommon verve and the insight that can only come from a combat veteran and a former member of the book's tribe, By Water Beneath the Walls is not only an exhaustively researched and essential new history of the SEAL Teams but a crackling account of desperate last-stands and unforgettable characters accomplishing the impossible. Most of all, it is a riveting epic of the dawn of American special operations that belongs on the shelf of every reader of military history.
Just how and why did the U.S. Navy--the branch of the U.S. military tasked with patrolling the oceans--ever manage to produce raiders trained to operate on land? More, how did a unit that had no business existing come to lead the ranks of the world's most elite commandos, routinely striking thousands of miles from the water into the deserts and mountains of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Behind those questions lies an incredible underdog tale of American military history--and in By Water Beneath the Walls, former Navy SEAL Benjamin H. Milligan tells it as never before.
In chapters built around key raids and told through the eyes of remarkable leaders both famous and forgotten, Milligan brings to life the SEALs' predecessors in World War II, the Korean War, and elsewhere; lands us on the beaches of the Bay of Pigs Invasion where the Navy alone emerges with a dedication to commando raiding; and launches us into the rivers and highlands of Vietnam, the proving ground where the SEALs discover the mission of capture-kill and cement their future for decades to come.
Yet as the SEALs made their transition to elite commandos, again and again it seemed predestined that some other unit--the Recon Marine, the Green Beret, the Army Ranger--would race to that finish line first. Ranging from the battlefield to the boardroom, Milligan reveals here the fateful victories and defeats that shaped those units in other directions--and how, in each key moment, the Navy contrived to sail into the gaps left behind.
Written with uncommon verve and the insight that can only come from a combat veteran and a former member of the book's tribe, By Water Beneath the Walls is not only an exhaustively researched and essential new history of the SEAL Teams but a crackling account of desperate last-stands and unforgettable characters accomplishing the impossible. Most of all, it is a riveting epic of the dawn of American special operations that belongs on the shelf of every reader of military history.
584 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 30, 2021
Why this book: The author asked that I review this book before it was published. I declined, he politely persisted, I politely agreed to just take a look at it. After I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I read a galley proof. It will be published and available to the public in July 2021.
Summary in 4 Sentences: Ben Milligan’s intent was to explore how one of the nations and the world’s premier land commando units resides in the Navy, vice the Army, the Marine Corps or perhaps another government agency. He explores how the US military approached commando and commando-like (small unit raid operations) during WW2, Korea and ultimately Viet Nam, when the SEALs finally came into their own. It is a story of individual champions in all the services arguing for a special capability, and repeatedly being shut down by leaders steeped in conventional thinking who could not imagine that the value of such a force could be worth the costs. It is also a story of battles between staffs, as well as battles fought by intrepid early special operators, often under-trained, under-resourced, and poorly supported against our nations enemies in war.
My Impressions: I wasn’t planning on reading this whole book -was planning to just read a chapter or two, skim the rest and give Ben Milligan an overall impression. But as I got started, I couldn’t put it down. It is a great read – Ben Milligan has an engaging writing style that pivots back and forth between intense and serious, to humorous and even occasionally “snarky.” Ben is a former SEAL with a BA in History and an MA in International relations and he successfully brings those worlds together in this book. He is an outstanding researcher and a great story teller. And though I had spent my career in the Navy SEALs and have read more military history than even most military officers, this book was full of new information and insights that give me a greater understanding of not only the history of the Navy SEALs but also of Special Operations. His narrative extends from stories about leaders at the highest levels of power and authority in the military, those whose decisions shaped the direction of Special Operations, down to the operators on the ground – their characters, experiences, decisions, frustrations and tragedies.
Most of the story takes place well before there were any SEALs. Indeed, the SEAL Teams didn’t simply spring onto the scene.
There is a fascinating back story, and By Water Beneath the Walls tells it. In this book we learn about the rise and demise of William Darby’s Rangers in WW2, of the formation of the Naval Combat Demolition Units, Scouts and Raiders, and Underwater Demolition Teams, as well as Marine Raider units, and how they fared in North Africa, Normandy, and the Western Pacific. We learn of the Navy-run insurgency operation and network behind the lines in Japanese-occupied China. We learn of early attempts at using UDT’s as raiders in Korea, then of the ill-fated but bold efforts to create out of whole-cloth, a joint team of insurgents to run operations behind China’s lines in Korea. And we learn how repeatedly, after such units were created to meet an immediate need in war, at the conclusion of that war, the services either disbanded them altogether, or scaled them way back, and reverted to what they knew best how to do – train and resource traditional general military forces.
The final two sections of the book appropriately focus on Viet Nam, where the SEALs initially earned their credibility. I came into the SEALs just after the Vietnam War, and all of the experienced SEALs I worked with and for had fought in that conflict. Though I thought I had a pretty good idea of what that war was about, By Water Beneath the Walls gave me context to help me better understand and appreciate the stories of my mentors. I knew many of the people he portrays in the operations he describes, which made this section that much more meaningful to me.
The book concludes with CNO Adm Jimmy Holloway at the end of the Viet Nam war confiding to SEAL Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton, that the Navy’s long term intention was to “dissolve the Teams.” Was it deja vu all over again? It seemed that the SEALs, “like the Raiders and Rangers before them, would be disbanded at the apex of their achievements.” p502 The irony is that this was the same Adm Holloway who led the Holloway Commission investigating the failure of Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One) in 1980. The resulting Holloway report led directly to justifying the establishment of US Special Operations Command which all but ensured that the services would not be able to disband the SEALs, the Army SF, the Rangers or other Special Operations Forces.
By Water Beneath the Walls is not a quick read for someone wanting a SEAL book for a junk-food-read on an airplane ride. It is a multi-course banquet – 500 pages long, covers a lot of fascinating history, and Milligan builds his case with engaging and often edge-of-your-seat examples of brave men learning hard lessons that will make a current operators wince. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of not just the SEALs, but of Special Operations, and it is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys great story telling by a wonderful writer. I really enjoyed learning so much from this book.
This is an abbreviated version of the review I wrote on my blog site. To read the entire review, go to: https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com...
Summary in 4 Sentences: Ben Milligan’s intent was to explore how one of the nations and the world’s premier land commando units resides in the Navy, vice the Army, the Marine Corps or perhaps another government agency. He explores how the US military approached commando and commando-like (small unit raid operations) during WW2, Korea and ultimately Viet Nam, when the SEALs finally came into their own. It is a story of individual champions in all the services arguing for a special capability, and repeatedly being shut down by leaders steeped in conventional thinking who could not imagine that the value of such a force could be worth the costs. It is also a story of battles between staffs, as well as battles fought by intrepid early special operators, often under-trained, under-resourced, and poorly supported against our nations enemies in war.
My Impressions: I wasn’t planning on reading this whole book -was planning to just read a chapter or two, skim the rest and give Ben Milligan an overall impression. But as I got started, I couldn’t put it down. It is a great read – Ben Milligan has an engaging writing style that pivots back and forth between intense and serious, to humorous and even occasionally “snarky.” Ben is a former SEAL with a BA in History and an MA in International relations and he successfully brings those worlds together in this book. He is an outstanding researcher and a great story teller. And though I had spent my career in the Navy SEALs and have read more military history than even most military officers, this book was full of new information and insights that give me a greater understanding of not only the history of the Navy SEALs but also of Special Operations. His narrative extends from stories about leaders at the highest levels of power and authority in the military, those whose decisions shaped the direction of Special Operations, down to the operators on the ground – their characters, experiences, decisions, frustrations and tragedies.
Most of the story takes place well before there were any SEALs. Indeed, the SEAL Teams didn’t simply spring onto the scene.
There is a fascinating back story, and By Water Beneath the Walls tells it. In this book we learn about the rise and demise of William Darby’s Rangers in WW2, of the formation of the Naval Combat Demolition Units, Scouts and Raiders, and Underwater Demolition Teams, as well as Marine Raider units, and how they fared in North Africa, Normandy, and the Western Pacific. We learn of the Navy-run insurgency operation and network behind the lines in Japanese-occupied China. We learn of early attempts at using UDT’s as raiders in Korea, then of the ill-fated but bold efforts to create out of whole-cloth, a joint team of insurgents to run operations behind China’s lines in Korea. And we learn how repeatedly, after such units were created to meet an immediate need in war, at the conclusion of that war, the services either disbanded them altogether, or scaled them way back, and reverted to what they knew best how to do – train and resource traditional general military forces.
The final two sections of the book appropriately focus on Viet Nam, where the SEALs initially earned their credibility. I came into the SEALs just after the Vietnam War, and all of the experienced SEALs I worked with and for had fought in that conflict. Though I thought I had a pretty good idea of what that war was about, By Water Beneath the Walls gave me context to help me better understand and appreciate the stories of my mentors. I knew many of the people he portrays in the operations he describes, which made this section that much more meaningful to me.
The book concludes with CNO Adm Jimmy Holloway at the end of the Viet Nam war confiding to SEAL Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton, that the Navy’s long term intention was to “dissolve the Teams.” Was it deja vu all over again? It seemed that the SEALs, “like the Raiders and Rangers before them, would be disbanded at the apex of their achievements.” p502 The irony is that this was the same Adm Holloway who led the Holloway Commission investigating the failure of Operation Eagle Claw (Desert One) in 1980. The resulting Holloway report led directly to justifying the establishment of US Special Operations Command which all but ensured that the services would not be able to disband the SEALs, the Army SF, the Rangers or other Special Operations Forces.
By Water Beneath the Walls is not a quick read for someone wanting a SEAL book for a junk-food-read on an airplane ride. It is a multi-course banquet – 500 pages long, covers a lot of fascinating history, and Milligan builds his case with engaging and often edge-of-your-seat examples of brave men learning hard lessons that will make a current operators wince. It is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of not just the SEALs, but of Special Operations, and it is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys great story telling by a wonderful writer. I really enjoyed learning so much from this book.
This is an abbreviated version of the review I wrote on my blog site. To read the entire review, go to: https://bobsbeenreading.wordpress.com...
September 16, 2021
Fantastic book, exquisitely researched, excitingly written. Ben did the SEAL community an immense service writing this book.
Key parts that I want to remember:
At Tarawa, the reef was the identified obstacle and the Marines could only consider the Landing Vehicle Tracked as the solution...'one track minds tend to prefer dual-tracked solutions'...the Navy however, particularly RADM Kelly Turner, CDR 5th Amphib force, obsessed with vengeance and the Navy's preeminent role in exacting it...wanted a solution that would enable the Higgins landing boats to be used which were much more effective and faster...but only if the coral could be removed...Handed a plan by an Army General, Turner examined it and declared: "it stinks. Whose is it?" "it's mine, declared the General. "It still stinks!"
Turners belief over the divine right of Navy admirals over Marine Corps generals was inherent, and based on an old Fleet Tactical Pub 167, it was overturned by ADM Nimitz, establishing the Marine Corps invasion commander as equivalent to the Navy's Amhib CDR...this would take away from Turner's command all the Marine special units, Raiders, Recon, Scout snipers, and also cut him out of any solution to the coral that did not involve the LVT. Unless, he came up with tasking the Seabees to figure out a solution...which led to the establishment of UDT.
Turner opened the doors of these teams to the NCDUs from Fort Pierce and local Seabees, the main requirements for joining being an ability to swim one mile through choppy water and dive to a depth of fifteen feet---skills so hard to find that they were soon opened to ratings of every sort...'cooks who never cooked, ship fitters who never worked on a ship, and storekeepers who never kept a single store." In March 1944, Draper Kaufman arrived in Maui.
After scouting the approaches to the island of Tsugen Shima, one UDT CPO 'bawled out' a pair of his swimmers for extending their recon past the beach. 'I was perfectly save, chief" the accused responded indignantly. 'My buddy was covering me with his knife.'
Raised in the only branch of service where estrangement from one's chain of command was routine, Miles nevertheless knew that such a plan would not only isolate its members with unheard of distances, but would also force them to fight the enemy in seas not of water but of people--a people that nearly every American viewed as backward but that Miles knew to be descendants of one of the most ancient civilizations on the planet.
To smooth those points of friction that would stunt the teamwork so needed in his plans, Miles dressed his sailors and Marines in the rank free Army khakis, then issue them a list of don'ts: Don't say 'Chinaman'; Don't say 'Coolie'; Don't call American food 'civilized'; Don't use pidgin English. Miles would request from the Navy a particular type of recruit: 'No high hat, rank conscious, red tape clerks or Old China Hands"...He wanted the kind of men who could 'fight the nips in any job assigned' but also the kind who could do so without 'fighting his shipmates'.
When Miles and Metzel, plus an entourage of two admirals, one Chinese colonel, and one OSS man, arrived at General Marshall's Washington office in Feb 1943 to obtain agreement to the arrangment that cut the Army out of guerrilla warfare in China except by way of its OSS levers...a staff officer kept them waiting...when they were finally ushered in...Marshall greeted them 'straight mouthed' never standing from behind his desk and leaving them locked at attention. All Marshall had to do, said one of the admirals, respectfully, was initial the agreement and it would be whisked to the President's desk. At this, Marshal paused. There were, he said, still 'some minor changes to make.'
Instead of retreating before the guns of the 4 star...Metzel broke rank and marched right up to Marshall's desk, an act so abrupt that, as Miles remembered, 'the very office seemed to gasp'.
'Do you mind if I smoke, General?' asked Metzel as he lit his cig with nary an ashtray in sight. Metzel then braced a hand on Marshall's desk--leanded in, his free hand ready to deposit ash on the antique...'To attempt to make changes will delay things for months, even if we get the Agreement back without additional Chinese requirements. All you have to do, General, is put your initials here next to Admiral King's." Barely a foot note today, Metzel was on history's stage, playing all the way to the last row.
Navy LT Eugene Franklin Clark, sent to Korea after being a POW in PI for much of WWII and now hoping to change all that by leading a guerrilla army in Korea. Clark was mature, deliberate, and calculating. In manner he was agreeable, somewhat quiet but not overly so, and like all sailors, was never shy of tobacco, Scotch or a joke....had grown fond of all the Asian amenities: geisha houses, massage parlors, hot baths, cold showers...but unlike most servicemen, these luxuries did not seem to have dulled his inclinations or imbued him with a sense of superiority to Asian peoples.
1961 CNOs director of strategic plans, William Gentner, answered ADM Burke's memo with a 6 page response that began with a single question: 'How can the Navy improve its contribution to US guerrilla/counter-guerilla warfare capability?' He provided a laundry list of 8 recommendations, A through H, including new shallow-water boats, new mines, a comprehensive study of naval assistance to indigenous fighters, an increased emphasis on guerrilla training, a manual for operations in restricted waters...and lastly, the establishment of a unit that was specialized to perform 'naval guerrilla and counter guerilla operations'...a unit that could cross-pollinate with the CIA and sister services, training for the unit could include elements of Army SF and UDT...An appropriate name for such a unit could be 'SEAL' units, a contraction of SEA, AIR, LAND and thereby indicating an all-around universal capability.
ADM Ward...submariner from WWII...truly understood the concepts of decentralized command because you had no other choice as a submarine commander...he valued the concept of 'latitude' and giving his subordinates plenty of it to foster creativity. But unless the subordinate is aggressive, latitude is limited...faced with the failure of the first SEAL deployment to Viet Nam, Ward could have hung it up, but he knew better...though Ward had not expected an outcome so underwhelming, let alone one of near criminality. In response to this scandal, Ward's operations officer arranged a conference call with the Coronado-based commander of Naval Operations Support Group, administrative head of all UDTs and SEALs in the Pacific. He ran through the rap sheet of Det Delta's offenses, lack of aggressiveness, lack of operations, the booze, the girls--all problems that could be solved by kicking the SEALs out of the AO...any other commander might have dumped the SEALs in the dustbin of history, but Commodore Phil Bucklew offered another solution...the problem, Bucklew contended, was LEADERSHIP. Fix that and everything would sort itself out. The rest is history.
Lots more great stuff in here, too much to continue to record. I loved the book and probably need to own it as a reference. My son who is headed to BUD/S needs a copy. I will probably buy several.
Key parts that I want to remember:
At Tarawa, the reef was the identified obstacle and the Marines could only consider the Landing Vehicle Tracked as the solution...'one track minds tend to prefer dual-tracked solutions'...the Navy however, particularly RADM Kelly Turner, CDR 5th Amphib force, obsessed with vengeance and the Navy's preeminent role in exacting it...wanted a solution that would enable the Higgins landing boats to be used which were much more effective and faster...but only if the coral could be removed...Handed a plan by an Army General, Turner examined it and declared: "it stinks. Whose is it?" "it's mine, declared the General. "It still stinks!"
Turners belief over the divine right of Navy admirals over Marine Corps generals was inherent, and based on an old Fleet Tactical Pub 167, it was overturned by ADM Nimitz, establishing the Marine Corps invasion commander as equivalent to the Navy's Amhib CDR...this would take away from Turner's command all the Marine special units, Raiders, Recon, Scout snipers, and also cut him out of any solution to the coral that did not involve the LVT. Unless, he came up with tasking the Seabees to figure out a solution...which led to the establishment of UDT.
Turner opened the doors of these teams to the NCDUs from Fort Pierce and local Seabees, the main requirements for joining being an ability to swim one mile through choppy water and dive to a depth of fifteen feet---skills so hard to find that they were soon opened to ratings of every sort...'cooks who never cooked, ship fitters who never worked on a ship, and storekeepers who never kept a single store." In March 1944, Draper Kaufman arrived in Maui.
After scouting the approaches to the island of Tsugen Shima, one UDT CPO 'bawled out' a pair of his swimmers for extending their recon past the beach. 'I was perfectly save, chief" the accused responded indignantly. 'My buddy was covering me with his knife.'
Raised in the only branch of service where estrangement from one's chain of command was routine, Miles nevertheless knew that such a plan would not only isolate its members with unheard of distances, but would also force them to fight the enemy in seas not of water but of people--a people that nearly every American viewed as backward but that Miles knew to be descendants of one of the most ancient civilizations on the planet.
To smooth those points of friction that would stunt the teamwork so needed in his plans, Miles dressed his sailors and Marines in the rank free Army khakis, then issue them a list of don'ts: Don't say 'Chinaman'; Don't say 'Coolie'; Don't call American food 'civilized'; Don't use pidgin English. Miles would request from the Navy a particular type of recruit: 'No high hat, rank conscious, red tape clerks or Old China Hands"...He wanted the kind of men who could 'fight the nips in any job assigned' but also the kind who could do so without 'fighting his shipmates'.
When Miles and Metzel, plus an entourage of two admirals, one Chinese colonel, and one OSS man, arrived at General Marshall's Washington office in Feb 1943 to obtain agreement to the arrangment that cut the Army out of guerrilla warfare in China except by way of its OSS levers...a staff officer kept them waiting...when they were finally ushered in...Marshall greeted them 'straight mouthed' never standing from behind his desk and leaving them locked at attention. All Marshall had to do, said one of the admirals, respectfully, was initial the agreement and it would be whisked to the President's desk. At this, Marshal paused. There were, he said, still 'some minor changes to make.'
Instead of retreating before the guns of the 4 star...Metzel broke rank and marched right up to Marshall's desk, an act so abrupt that, as Miles remembered, 'the very office seemed to gasp'.
'Do you mind if I smoke, General?' asked Metzel as he lit his cig with nary an ashtray in sight. Metzel then braced a hand on Marshall's desk--leanded in, his free hand ready to deposit ash on the antique...'To attempt to make changes will delay things for months, even if we get the Agreement back without additional Chinese requirements. All you have to do, General, is put your initials here next to Admiral King's." Barely a foot note today, Metzel was on history's stage, playing all the way to the last row.
Navy LT Eugene Franklin Clark, sent to Korea after being a POW in PI for much of WWII and now hoping to change all that by leading a guerrilla army in Korea. Clark was mature, deliberate, and calculating. In manner he was agreeable, somewhat quiet but not overly so, and like all sailors, was never shy of tobacco, Scotch or a joke....had grown fond of all the Asian amenities: geisha houses, massage parlors, hot baths, cold showers...but unlike most servicemen, these luxuries did not seem to have dulled his inclinations or imbued him with a sense of superiority to Asian peoples.
1961 CNOs director of strategic plans, William Gentner, answered ADM Burke's memo with a 6 page response that began with a single question: 'How can the Navy improve its contribution to US guerrilla/counter-guerilla warfare capability?' He provided a laundry list of 8 recommendations, A through H, including new shallow-water boats, new mines, a comprehensive study of naval assistance to indigenous fighters, an increased emphasis on guerrilla training, a manual for operations in restricted waters...and lastly, the establishment of a unit that was specialized to perform 'naval guerrilla and counter guerilla operations'...a unit that could cross-pollinate with the CIA and sister services, training for the unit could include elements of Army SF and UDT...An appropriate name for such a unit could be 'SEAL' units, a contraction of SEA, AIR, LAND and thereby indicating an all-around universal capability.
ADM Ward...submariner from WWII...truly understood the concepts of decentralized command because you had no other choice as a submarine commander...he valued the concept of 'latitude' and giving his subordinates plenty of it to foster creativity. But unless the subordinate is aggressive, latitude is limited...faced with the failure of the first SEAL deployment to Viet Nam, Ward could have hung it up, but he knew better...though Ward had not expected an outcome so underwhelming, let alone one of near criminality. In response to this scandal, Ward's operations officer arranged a conference call with the Coronado-based commander of Naval Operations Support Group, administrative head of all UDTs and SEALs in the Pacific. He ran through the rap sheet of Det Delta's offenses, lack of aggressiveness, lack of operations, the booze, the girls--all problems that could be solved by kicking the SEALs out of the AO...any other commander might have dumped the SEALs in the dustbin of history, but Commodore Phil Bucklew offered another solution...the problem, Bucklew contended, was LEADERSHIP. Fix that and everything would sort itself out. The rest is history.
Lots more great stuff in here, too much to continue to record. I loved the book and probably need to own it as a reference. My son who is headed to BUD/S needs a copy. I will probably buy several.
September 23, 2022
I have read many books by and about Navy SEALs, but this one may have the most comprehensive look at the unit’s development. This book is not about the ethos, bravery, or glory of SEAL units, but the historical evolution of this unit through the prism of interservice politics and historical operations (both successful and not) that allowed a small unit of sailors to take an outsize role as amphibious commandos that have also become famous for their exploits on land.
As Milligan explains; During World War II there were plenty of “amphibious” raiding units such as: Army Rangers, Army/Navy Beach Commandos, Marine Raiders, and VAC Marine Recon. None of these services were lacking in brave men willing to do an extremely dangerous job. The key issues seemed to lie in how their parent services supported and used these units.
Milligan’s book chronicles a convoluted process that began during World War II. In the realm of amphibious operations (which are made more complicated by the fact that command passes from one service to another in mid operation), all services had to work together. This tended to aggravate interservice tensions when resolving tactical details.
The Navy (which was responsible for transport from the ocean to the water line) got tired of quibbling with the Army and Marine Corps over beach reconnaissance and obstacle clearance missions, so they created their own unit to do it. Eventually, they also figured out that true beach reconnaissance means getting into the water and swimming up to the target rather than staying in your boat.
During and after World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; the US Army diluted and disbanded it’s Ranger units (twice), the Marines disbanded its Raiders, while the Navy reduced, but kept, its crucial UDT units.
When President Kennedy directed all the Armed Services to form guerilla/counter guerilla units, The first SEAL team commander did not have a playbook to work off of. So he took a group of selected UDT sailors and sent to them to Marine and Army training schools such as Ranger, Airborne, and Special Forces.
Through a series of personal contacts during the Vietnam War, SEALS managed to move beyond their initial training responsibilities to be the only “All American” units that did coastal raiding. The Marines and Army had units with similar skills but insisted to on keeping outfits like Marine Force Recon, Army Recondos, and Green Berets, in the roles of reconnaissance or training (and leading) indigenous forces.
Milligan likes to be pithy throughout his prose. At one point he called Vice Admiral Kelly Turner “The US Navy’s answer to Captain Ahab”. This book also has a good share of battlefield stories for many of the units. Oddly, many of the men who founded and commanded these units were fairly conventional commanders who understood the need for an unconventional force.
Highly recommend.
As Milligan explains; During World War II there were plenty of “amphibious” raiding units such as: Army Rangers, Army/Navy Beach Commandos, Marine Raiders, and VAC Marine Recon. None of these services were lacking in brave men willing to do an extremely dangerous job. The key issues seemed to lie in how their parent services supported and used these units.
Milligan’s book chronicles a convoluted process that began during World War II. In the realm of amphibious operations (which are made more complicated by the fact that command passes from one service to another in mid operation), all services had to work together. This tended to aggravate interservice tensions when resolving tactical details.
The Navy (which was responsible for transport from the ocean to the water line) got tired of quibbling with the Army and Marine Corps over beach reconnaissance and obstacle clearance missions, so they created their own unit to do it. Eventually, they also figured out that true beach reconnaissance means getting into the water and swimming up to the target rather than staying in your boat.
During and after World War II, Korea, and Vietnam; the US Army diluted and disbanded it’s Ranger units (twice), the Marines disbanded its Raiders, while the Navy reduced, but kept, its crucial UDT units.
When President Kennedy directed all the Armed Services to form guerilla/counter guerilla units, The first SEAL team commander did not have a playbook to work off of. So he took a group of selected UDT sailors and sent to them to Marine and Army training schools such as Ranger, Airborne, and Special Forces.
Through a series of personal contacts during the Vietnam War, SEALS managed to move beyond their initial training responsibilities to be the only “All American” units that did coastal raiding. The Marines and Army had units with similar skills but insisted to on keeping outfits like Marine Force Recon, Army Recondos, and Green Berets, in the roles of reconnaissance or training (and leading) indigenous forces.
Milligan likes to be pithy throughout his prose. At one point he called Vice Admiral Kelly Turner “The US Navy’s answer to Captain Ahab”. This book also has a good share of battlefield stories for many of the units. Oddly, many of the men who founded and commanded these units were fairly conventional commanders who understood the need for an unconventional force.
Highly recommend.
October 18, 2021
Great book, really interesting history, I certainly learned a lot.
October 14, 2025
Outstanding book. Milligan presents a deep and comprehensive analysis of the origin of the SEAL teams, pioneered not only by the first frogmen in WWII, but also the decades-long trial and error process of special operations units birthed and disbanded by all military branches. One of the most interesting takeaways for me was the military's initial aversion toward any sort of commando unit created for a specific mission, as well as the repeated cycle of misallocation and hasty disbandment of these units. Now an integral facet of warfare that is easily taken for granted, it was fascinating to read about the rocky rise of special operations units. This theme of reluctance to change has been ever-present in the history of the United States Military, and remains apparent today with the emergence of drones and AI.
Some of the most rewarding moments in the book for me (though my view might be a bit biased) were the chapters that covered the UDTs (the SEALs' predecessor unit) on D-Day, and the first SEAL teams in Vietnam. Reading about the heroic acts of the combat swimmers on the beaches of Normandy, I couldn't help but think about the iconic opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. This chapter painted a vivid picture of what went on that day not only for the soldiers storming the beach, but for the UDT swimmers clearing the way for them, a daunting task accomplished with remarkable valor and devotion to duty. Equally as inspiring were the actions of SEAL Teams 1 & 2 in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, which solidified the SEALs' seat at the table of inland special operations and earned the SEAL Teams their first 3 medals of honor. One particular mission in which 2 SEAL platoons (no more than 30 men) infiltrated an enemy camp of hundreds of NVA regulars in an attempt to rescue an American POW was so strikingly similar to an operation in the novel "Men in Green Faces" that it had to be the historical basis. Reading about the real historical facts of this operation definitely strengthened my appreciation for the novel (which I received very negatively on my first read).
Milligan presents an impressively researched analysis in a gripping page-turner that is a must-read for any patriot or servicemember.
Some of the most rewarding moments in the book for me (though my view might be a bit biased) were the chapters that covered the UDTs (the SEALs' predecessor unit) on D-Day, and the first SEAL teams in Vietnam. Reading about the heroic acts of the combat swimmers on the beaches of Normandy, I couldn't help but think about the iconic opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. This chapter painted a vivid picture of what went on that day not only for the soldiers storming the beach, but for the UDT swimmers clearing the way for them, a daunting task accomplished with remarkable valor and devotion to duty. Equally as inspiring were the actions of SEAL Teams 1 & 2 in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, which solidified the SEALs' seat at the table of inland special operations and earned the SEAL Teams their first 3 medals of honor. One particular mission in which 2 SEAL platoons (no more than 30 men) infiltrated an enemy camp of hundreds of NVA regulars in an attempt to rescue an American POW was so strikingly similar to an operation in the novel "Men in Green Faces" that it had to be the historical basis. Reading about the real historical facts of this operation definitely strengthened my appreciation for the novel (which I received very negatively on my first read).
Milligan presents an impressively researched analysis in a gripping page-turner that is a must-read for any patriot or servicemember.
October 12, 2024
Benjamin Milligan's "By Water Beneath the Walls: The Rise of the Navy SEALs" is a riveting dive into the storied history of one of the world's most elite military units. With a narrative that flows as smoothly as the waves that SEALs are trained to navigate, Milligan crafts a compelling chronicle that is both informative and engaging. The book traces the roots of the Navy SEALs back to their inception, weaving through decades of military history with precision and flair. Milligan, a former Navy SEAL himself, brings an insider's perspective that enriches the narrative with authenticity and depth. His meticulous research is evident, yet it never bogs down the pace; rather, it adds layers of richness and context to the unfolding story.
From the early days of World War II to the modern era, Milligan highlights key events and figures that have shaped the SEALs' evolution. His portrayal of the relentless training regimen and the mental and physical fortitude required of these warriors is both awe-inspiring and humbling. Milligan doesn't just recount battles and missions; he delves into the ethos and spirit that define the SEALs, painting a vivid picture of their unwavering dedication. A standout feature of the book is Milligan's ability to humanize the SEALs. He shares personal anecdotes and lesser-known stories that bring to life the individuals behind the iconic trident. These moments offer glimpses of humor, camaraderie, and the personal sacrifices that accompany their high-stakes missions. “By Water Beneath the Walls" is not just a military history; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Milligan's narrative is engaging, his prose is crisp, and his insights are thought-provoking. Whether you're a military enthusiast or simply a lover of captivating stories, this book offers a fascinating journey into the heart of the Navy SEALs. It is a masterful tribute to the courage and resilience of these extraordinary warriors, and it leaves readers with a profound appreciation for their legacy.
From the early days of World War II to the modern era, Milligan highlights key events and figures that have shaped the SEALs' evolution. His portrayal of the relentless training regimen and the mental and physical fortitude required of these warriors is both awe-inspiring and humbling. Milligan doesn't just recount battles and missions; he delves into the ethos and spirit that define the SEALs, painting a vivid picture of their unwavering dedication. A standout feature of the book is Milligan's ability to humanize the SEALs. He shares personal anecdotes and lesser-known stories that bring to life the individuals behind the iconic trident. These moments offer glimpses of humor, camaraderie, and the personal sacrifices that accompany their high-stakes missions. “By Water Beneath the Walls" is not just a military history; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Milligan's narrative is engaging, his prose is crisp, and his insights are thought-provoking. Whether you're a military enthusiast or simply a lover of captivating stories, this book offers a fascinating journey into the heart of the Navy SEALs. It is a masterful tribute to the courage and resilience of these extraordinary warriors, and it leaves readers with a profound appreciation for their legacy.
December 27, 2022
A well-researched and well-written work.
Milligan, a former SEAL, doesn’t focus narrowly on the SEALs, and instead covers all of America’s “frogmen” units from World War II, ending with Vietnam. He does a good job capturing these sailors’ personalities, spirit, and culture. A big theme of the story is how people in the services weren’t interested in providing certain capabilities, so small groups of innovators had to fill the gap and, of course, fight uphill battles against entrenched bureaucracies in the process. This theme will be familiar to anyone who’s read any historical literature about special operations forces. The narrative is gripping and engaging, and his coverage of the action is vivid. He ably covers the importance of training and how these courses developed over time.
Some readers may find it difficult to keep track of all the characters and acronyms. The narrative is a bit unfocused. The book is supposed to be a history of the early SEALs, but it also includes stories like Darby’s Army Rangers, Carlson’s Marine Raiders, Army Ranger operations in Korea, the origins and early years of the Green Berets, and Green Beret operations in Laos and Vietnam. Sometimes entire chapters are devoted to these subjects for some reason. The book’s conclusion seems a bit weak. Some readers may find Milligan’s style a little wordy or flowery.
Still a thorough and thoughtful work overall.
Milligan, a former SEAL, doesn’t focus narrowly on the SEALs, and instead covers all of America’s “frogmen” units from World War II, ending with Vietnam. He does a good job capturing these sailors’ personalities, spirit, and culture. A big theme of the story is how people in the services weren’t interested in providing certain capabilities, so small groups of innovators had to fill the gap and, of course, fight uphill battles against entrenched bureaucracies in the process. This theme will be familiar to anyone who’s read any historical literature about special operations forces. The narrative is gripping and engaging, and his coverage of the action is vivid. He ably covers the importance of training and how these courses developed over time.
Some readers may find it difficult to keep track of all the characters and acronyms. The narrative is a bit unfocused. The book is supposed to be a history of the early SEALs, but it also includes stories like Darby’s Army Rangers, Carlson’s Marine Raiders, Army Ranger operations in Korea, the origins and early years of the Green Berets, and Green Beret operations in Laos and Vietnam. Sometimes entire chapters are devoted to these subjects for some reason. The book’s conclusion seems a bit weak. Some readers may find Milligan’s style a little wordy or flowery.
Still a thorough and thoughtful work overall.
February 26, 2024
IT’S GOOD
What are Navy operators, the most elite commandos in US Military history, doing on the rooftops of Ramadi, in the mountains of Afghanistan, and in the boot-sucking swamp of the Mekong Delta? Author and SEAL Benjamin Milligan seeks to answer this question in one of the best “big history” military history books I have read. This book crackles with combat, heroes, and courage, while tracing the story of a) where the SEALs come from (UDT Frogmen and SACO guerrillas in World War 2, Navy Commandos in Korea, and the first direct action SEALs in Vietnam), and b) how the creation and disbandment of commando units in nearly every other branch of the military created a vacuum for SEALs to fill, from the earliest days of WW2 it the end of the Vietnam war. Excellent.
This book is long, but the audible is fantastic. Meticulously researched and genuinely funny at parts. Milligan tells the story of the Teams by telling the personal stories of the operators, admirals, raiders and nationals that made them possible. Well worth reading.
What are Navy operators, the most elite commandos in US Military history, doing on the rooftops of Ramadi, in the mountains of Afghanistan, and in the boot-sucking swamp of the Mekong Delta? Author and SEAL Benjamin Milligan seeks to answer this question in one of the best “big history” military history books I have read. This book crackles with combat, heroes, and courage, while tracing the story of a) where the SEALs come from (UDT Frogmen and SACO guerrillas in World War 2, Navy Commandos in Korea, and the first direct action SEALs in Vietnam), and b) how the creation and disbandment of commando units in nearly every other branch of the military created a vacuum for SEALs to fill, from the earliest days of WW2 it the end of the Vietnam war. Excellent.
This book is long, but the audible is fantastic. Meticulously researched and genuinely funny at parts. Milligan tells the story of the Teams by telling the personal stories of the operators, admirals, raiders and nationals that made them possible. Well worth reading.
January 7, 2024
ust finished reading By Water Beneath the Walls, The Rise of the Navy SEALs by Benjamin Milligan, a Navy SEAL turned author/historian. It’s a superbly crafted history of our Navy’s special operators from WWII to Vietnam. I highly recommend it. The exploits of these warriors established the foundation of the SEAL Teams today. We stand on their shoulders.
February 28, 2022
Don't think of this book as a history of the Navy SEALs. Think of it as all the activity leading up to the Navy SEALs. It's full of accounts of different special ops groups that started and stopped across all the branches of the military. It's interesting that the SEALs ultimately ended up in the Navy, and this book goes into great detail of why that is.
Parts of the book are pretty gripping, but the choppy nature of the history didn't keep me extremely engaged.
Parts of the book are pretty gripping, but the choppy nature of the history didn't keep me extremely engaged.
September 29, 2023
Excellent history of the SEALs and the difficulties to create such a unit
January 19, 2024
Top two or three all time military history books. I am an avid reader and this is a genre bending masterpiece. It often reads like a novel. You will not be able to put it down. Ben deserves endless credit for resurrecting numerous historical figures that was otherwise forgotten or nearly so.
August 28, 2023
This is my review published in the December 2021 edition of World War II Magazine
AUTHOR BENJAMIN H. MILLIGAN introduces By Water Beneath the Walls, his awkwardly titled but engaging study of U.S. Navy SEAL origins, with an intriguing premise: from the first days of World War II into the Vietnam War era, each step the navy took toward creating its storied “Sea Air Land” warriors was preceded by “a failure by one of the Navy’s sister services to seize an obvious opportunity to permanently establish its own commando units.” Ground units such as the Marine Corps Raiders and U.S. Army Rangers were either disbanded after missions or misused as traditional infantry—but elite navy units, beginning with World War II’s Underwater Demolition Teams, survived, and evolved into units uniquely capable of executing high-risk missions at sea, on land, and from the air.
To back this idea, Milligan, himself a SEAL veteran, describes By Water Beneath the Walls (the title a poetic nod to an eighth-century waterborne raid on Constantinople) as “not simply a history of the early SEAL teams, but a prequel...that has never been told” of early commando units in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their successes, fail- ures, and lessons learned paved the way for the current SEAL paradigm. While frag- ments of these tales, in fact, have been told elsewhere, never have they been assembled in such an appealing, integrated form.
I agree with Milligan’s frank admission that the public’s “disproportionate interest in SEALs” has generated “too many ghost- authored books, too many movies, too many big heads.” Yet while history buffs have ample reason to be suspect of yet another SEAL book, they should embrace By Water Beneath the Walls.
Milligan is a natural storyteller. His voice is authoritative, but his style is colloquial and his narrative pace lively and chocked with vivid imagery. His concise bios of key World War II figures—such as Evans Carlson, whose Marine Raiders (“Carlson’s Raiders”) assaulted Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands in 1943, and Wil- liam Darby, whose Army Rangers stormed Algeria’s Fort du Nord the same year—are crisp and incisive, as are his accounts of com- mando derring-do in massive amphibious campaigns such as Operation Overlord, the June 1944 invasion of Normandy.
As he moves beyond World War II (which comprises roughly half the book’s narrative), Milligan confronts the stalemates, missteps, and controversies of Korea and Vietnam. He also wades into a welter of arcane military acronyms, some devised to mask military his- tory���s shadier and more ignoble escapades. It is in Vietnam’s jungles and swamps, however, that the official Navy SEAL concept finally gels, with special operations missions unfold- ing efficiently, expertly, and with minimal casualties. By one key measure, SEALs serv- ing in Vietnam received 20 percent of the navy’s medals while suffering just 2 percent of its fatalities.
By Water Beneath the Walls establishes Milligan as a go-to expert on U.S. commando and guerrilla actions (now more commonly called asymmetric warfare). Still, when it comes to World War II history, occasional miscues arise. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, was not a “former secretary of the Navy” but an assistant secretary. The USS Los Angeles was a World War II heavy cruiser, not a battleship. And while then-Captain Arleigh A. Burke was indeed nicknamed “31-Knot Burke,” it was not because of his “boiler bursting pace.” Instead, it began as a teasing jibe earned when his combat- bound flotilla was slowed by a destroyer’s fouled boiler en route to November 1943’s Battle of Cape St. George.
Minor hiccups aside, Milligan convincingly demonstrates how World War II events and personalities shaped today’s Navy SEALs. After all, it was that same Arleigh A. Burke who, as a four-star admi- ral and chief of naval operations, later insisted that “our people [in Vietnam] will have to know...how to fight and live under guerrilla conditions.” In fostering the SEAL concept, Milligan concludes, “Burke stretched the Navy’s combat reach from the floors of the ocean to the edges of the atmosphere.”
AUTHOR BENJAMIN H. MILLIGAN introduces By Water Beneath the Walls, his awkwardly titled but engaging study of U.S. Navy SEAL origins, with an intriguing premise: from the first days of World War II into the Vietnam War era, each step the navy took toward creating its storied “Sea Air Land” warriors was preceded by “a failure by one of the Navy’s sister services to seize an obvious opportunity to permanently establish its own commando units.” Ground units such as the Marine Corps Raiders and U.S. Army Rangers were either disbanded after missions or misused as traditional infantry—but elite navy units, beginning with World War II’s Underwater Demolition Teams, survived, and evolved into units uniquely capable of executing high-risk missions at sea, on land, and from the air.
To back this idea, Milligan, himself a SEAL veteran, describes By Water Beneath the Walls (the title a poetic nod to an eighth-century waterborne raid on Constantinople) as “not simply a history of the early SEAL teams, but a prequel...that has never been told” of early commando units in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their successes, fail- ures, and lessons learned paved the way for the current SEAL paradigm. While frag- ments of these tales, in fact, have been told elsewhere, never have they been assembled in such an appealing, integrated form.
I agree with Milligan’s frank admission that the public’s “disproportionate interest in SEALs” has generated “too many ghost- authored books, too many movies, too many big heads.” Yet while history buffs have ample reason to be suspect of yet another SEAL book, they should embrace By Water Beneath the Walls.
Milligan is a natural storyteller. His voice is authoritative, but his style is colloquial and his narrative pace lively and chocked with vivid imagery. His concise bios of key World War II figures—such as Evans Carlson, whose Marine Raiders (“Carlson’s Raiders”) assaulted Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands in 1943, and Wil- liam Darby, whose Army Rangers stormed Algeria’s Fort du Nord the same year—are crisp and incisive, as are his accounts of com- mando derring-do in massive amphibious campaigns such as Operation Overlord, the June 1944 invasion of Normandy.
As he moves beyond World War II (which comprises roughly half the book’s narrative), Milligan confronts the stalemates, missteps, and controversies of Korea and Vietnam. He also wades into a welter of arcane military acronyms, some devised to mask military his- tory���s shadier and more ignoble escapades. It is in Vietnam’s jungles and swamps, however, that the official Navy SEAL concept finally gels, with special operations missions unfold- ing efficiently, expertly, and with minimal casualties. By one key measure, SEALs serv- ing in Vietnam received 20 percent of the navy’s medals while suffering just 2 percent of its fatalities.
By Water Beneath the Walls establishes Milligan as a go-to expert on U.S. commando and guerrilla actions (now more commonly called asymmetric warfare). Still, when it comes to World War II history, occasional miscues arise. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example, was not a “former secretary of the Navy” but an assistant secretary. The USS Los Angeles was a World War II heavy cruiser, not a battleship. And while then-Captain Arleigh A. Burke was indeed nicknamed “31-Knot Burke,” it was not because of his “boiler bursting pace.” Instead, it began as a teasing jibe earned when his combat- bound flotilla was slowed by a destroyer’s fouled boiler en route to November 1943’s Battle of Cape St. George.
Minor hiccups aside, Milligan convincingly demonstrates how World War II events and personalities shaped today’s Navy SEALs. After all, it was that same Arleigh A. Burke who, as a four-star admi- ral and chief of naval operations, later insisted that “our people [in Vietnam] will have to know...how to fight and live under guerrilla conditions.” In fostering the SEAL concept, Milligan concludes, “Burke stretched the Navy’s combat reach from the floors of the ocean to the edges of the atmosphere.”
August 16, 2022
The author gives you a thorough history of the formation of the Seals from when they were Frogmen men in WWII to then being UDT. He also goes into a little about other WWII special forces and the men who were behind the creation and the first training of these men. The first missions they were on as well as how the powers to be wanted to get rid of them after WWII and even after some of the work they did in Korea. He then goes into Kennedy and how he was behind the funding and pushing for the Seals after the Rangers and Green Berets, You then get a really big look at the men and missions that they were on during Vietnam. He does go over the men who would be awarded the CMH and then how after the war it slowed down somewhat. He talks a little about the formation of Seal team six and the reason behind it. He does not talk about Grenada, Panama where they lost Seals on both missions. For the longest time up until Red Wing and Extortion 17, Panama had been the largest loss of life for Seals but there is no mention of it in this book at all.
Okay that being said my peace after reading some of the reviews this book is a history of the formation and creation of the Seals. They started out as frogmen going into Islands Tawara being one there were others and charting the ocean current tides for when the Marines and Army would be coming to a shore. They had no protection those first guys were bad mofos. Now my father fought in WWII and Korea and I grew up around Army and Marines I know weird but anyway I heard about Seals when I was a kid, they were called UDT, Under Water Demolition and those old dudes were just as bad as some of these dudes nowadays. I should not be saying this but my father had a high-security clearance and he would sometimes take his young son with him to Coronado in the sixties. These guys and this book are real, the stories and the history are all true for you people who want to say no you need to read some more history books and find out. I will get off my soap box but this is a good book about the history of the Seals if you don’t read my review read this book!
I received this book from Netgalley.com
Okay that being said my peace after reading some of the reviews this book is a history of the formation and creation of the Seals. They started out as frogmen going into Islands Tawara being one there were others and charting the ocean current tides for when the Marines and Army would be coming to a shore. They had no protection those first guys were bad mofos. Now my father fought in WWII and Korea and I grew up around Army and Marines I know weird but anyway I heard about Seals when I was a kid, they were called UDT, Under Water Demolition and those old dudes were just as bad as some of these dudes nowadays. I should not be saying this but my father had a high-security clearance and he would sometimes take his young son with him to Coronado in the sixties. These guys and this book are real, the stories and the history are all true for you people who want to say no you need to read some more history books and find out. I will get off my soap box but this is a good book about the history of the Seals if you don’t read my review read this book!
I received this book from Netgalley.com
September 9, 2021
I received a ARC copy from NetGalley, and while I was looking forward to reading it life kept happening and it was several months before I was able to pick it up and get started.
The Navy SEALS are the equivalent of rockstars, when it comes to acclaim and status in the public eye when it comes to the Special Operations community but there probably aren't many that could tell you where they actually originated. The Navy has had a long standing tradition of keeping to the water, so how did they end up with one of the premier "go anywhere, do anything" organizations? A question I didn't realize I needed answering.
Milligan had a myriad of options when it comes to what path he could have chosen to wave. There isn't a single, straight line path that can be pointed to and said, "this is where they came from". The tale that he weaved together, from the various organizations that sprang up in the US Military to then fade back into non-existence/relative obscurity with each contributing another piece to the puzzle was engaging and enjoyable.
It certainly isn't a pulpy feel good read that you might pick up in the airport and finish while sitting at the gate. It's a massive book, complete with a section of foot notes long enough to put most children's books to shame. With that being said, one wouldn't have to be a dedicated student of military history to find it enjoyable.
The Navy SEALS are the equivalent of rockstars, when it comes to acclaim and status in the public eye when it comes to the Special Operations community but there probably aren't many that could tell you where they actually originated. The Navy has had a long standing tradition of keeping to the water, so how did they end up with one of the premier "go anywhere, do anything" organizations? A question I didn't realize I needed answering.
Milligan had a myriad of options when it comes to what path he could have chosen to wave. There isn't a single, straight line path that can be pointed to and said, "this is where they came from". The tale that he weaved together, from the various organizations that sprang up in the US Military to then fade back into non-existence/relative obscurity with each contributing another piece to the puzzle was engaging and enjoyable.
It certainly isn't a pulpy feel good read that you might pick up in the airport and finish while sitting at the gate. It's a massive book, complete with a section of foot notes long enough to put most children's books to shame. With that being said, one wouldn't have to be a dedicated student of military history to find it enjoyable.
October 27, 2021
I heard about this book through my local independent bookstore (Prairie Path Books) and attended an author event where I purchased it. I found this book a fascinating and exciting read. The author, whom his mother (she was in attendance) calls "Benjie" was a SEAL. When he got back from a deployment in Iraq, his grandmother asked "what's a sailor doing in Iraq?" This proved to be a good question, and Milligan did not have the answer.
So he embarked on a multi-year research project to find out how the armed service tasked with patrolling the waters had the pre-eminent unit for specialized land warfare. The answer required him going back to WWII, and looking at the history of US Special Forces, from the Navy's frogmen to the Army's Ranger and the Marine Corps Raiders. By looking at what they had done wrong, he was able to see what the Navy had done right.
This produced a very thick book, full of tales of derring-do. It also has a number of accounts of things people did badly or just had bad luck. The book ends with the end of the US involvement in Vietnam, when the SEALs were among the last units to leave, having established themselves as the unit they are today. It's an interesting and well-researched work of narrative history. I highly recommend it.
So he embarked on a multi-year research project to find out how the armed service tasked with patrolling the waters had the pre-eminent unit for specialized land warfare. The answer required him going back to WWII, and looking at the history of US Special Forces, from the Navy's frogmen to the Army's Ranger and the Marine Corps Raiders. By looking at what they had done wrong, he was able to see what the Navy had done right.
This produced a very thick book, full of tales of derring-do. It also has a number of accounts of things people did badly or just had bad luck. The book ends with the end of the US involvement in Vietnam, when the SEALs were among the last units to leave, having established themselves as the unit they are today. It's an interesting and well-researched work of narrative history. I highly recommend it.
February 13, 2023
This book is an exercise in military bureaucracy!
I mean, if you think that you are going to read about missions, hell week, and other stuff that happen in the teams, then read something else.
This book is a meticulous recording of how the SEALs came about as an idea first and then as an actual unit. It takes through the origins of naval commandos in WWII and how some unique individuals thought about naval combat as something reaching beyond the beaches and about the military bureaucracy that constantly fought any new idea that did not involve massive guns and large units.
The book has a lot of historical facts (names, places, etc), something reflected in the many pages of notes at the end. The author does offer detailed descriptions of missions, but more in the context of making us understand how difficult things were back then.
The only thing that is missing is what happened to the SEALs after Vietnam. Yes, this book is about the beginning, I guess, but covering the evolution of the unit after Vietnam in 3-4 pages is something that I did not like. Again, I understand that the scope of the book was the origins, but I wish that the ending was not so abrupt.
I mean, if you think that you are going to read about missions, hell week, and other stuff that happen in the teams, then read something else.
This book is a meticulous recording of how the SEALs came about as an idea first and then as an actual unit. It takes through the origins of naval commandos in WWII and how some unique individuals thought about naval combat as something reaching beyond the beaches and about the military bureaucracy that constantly fought any new idea that did not involve massive guns and large units.
The book has a lot of historical facts (names, places, etc), something reflected in the many pages of notes at the end. The author does offer detailed descriptions of missions, but more in the context of making us understand how difficult things were back then.
The only thing that is missing is what happened to the SEALs after Vietnam. Yes, this book is about the beginning, I guess, but covering the evolution of the unit after Vietnam in 3-4 pages is something that I did not like. Again, I understand that the scope of the book was the origins, but I wish that the ending was not so abrupt.
December 4, 2024
I’ve heard this book mentioned several times on a certain podcast so I had to pick it up when I had a chance.
This book is remarkably well researched, not an easy feat as it deals with special operations which by definition are difficult to research. As someone who considers themself somewhat well versed in the history of special operations, Ben Milligan details whole periods and units that I didn’t know existed. Furthermore, Milligan seems to have a number of firsthand or eyewitness sources which again is surprising for the same reason mentioned above.
Each period in Milligan’s book could easily be a book of the same length on its own, I hope he or someone like him gives a more thorough history of the history of the Navy in China. I know the SEALs in Vietnam is fairly well documented but I hope Milligan writes about a volume or volumes on this topic alone.
The only minor criticism I have is that Milligan’s thesis is that the Navy SEALs, an unlikely inland spec ops force, came to be do to a vacuum left by the Army and USMC. Although he does document this vacuum I’d like to see a little bit more research or discussion about why this vacuum existed at all.
This book is remarkably well researched, not an easy feat as it deals with special operations which by definition are difficult to research. As someone who considers themself somewhat well versed in the history of special operations, Ben Milligan details whole periods and units that I didn’t know existed. Furthermore, Milligan seems to have a number of firsthand or eyewitness sources which again is surprising for the same reason mentioned above.
Each period in Milligan’s book could easily be a book of the same length on its own, I hope he or someone like him gives a more thorough history of the history of the Navy in China. I know the SEALs in Vietnam is fairly well documented but I hope Milligan writes about a volume or volumes on this topic alone.
The only minor criticism I have is that Milligan’s thesis is that the Navy SEALs, an unlikely inland spec ops force, came to be do to a vacuum left by the Army and USMC. Although he does document this vacuum I’d like to see a little bit more research or discussion about why this vacuum existed at all.
December 21, 2021
Milligan went searching for answers when his grandmother ask him why it was the Navy SEALs that were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan so far from an ocean. He traces the development of Army commandos in World War II, Marine commandos in the Pacific theater and in Korea and not just the Navy Underwater Demolition teams to find the history and predecessors for today's SEALs.
Why I started this book: SEAL books fascinate me; the mix between anyone could do this job, so pay us to be your consultant, and 16 people were left after Hell Week... I just love the juxtaposition.
Why I finished it: This book is dense, and it's about failures, missed opportunities and rebuilding a commando unit after World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. But Milligan does a great job in showing why the US commandos ended up in the Navy and not the Army or Marines. And how the leadership philosophy of a submariner helped give the SEALs the space they needed to create a mission and operation tempo that allowed them to achieve such spectacular results in kill/capture raids in Viet Nam.
Why I started this book: SEAL books fascinate me; the mix between anyone could do this job, so pay us to be your consultant, and 16 people were left after Hell Week... I just love the juxtaposition.
Why I finished it: This book is dense, and it's about failures, missed opportunities and rebuilding a commando unit after World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. But Milligan does a great job in showing why the US commandos ended up in the Navy and not the Army or Marines. And how the leadership philosophy of a submariner helped give the SEALs the space they needed to create a mission and operation tempo that allowed them to achieve such spectacular results in kill/capture raids in Viet Nam.
November 13, 2024
The author presents the reader with a historical account of commando type troop actions and the cluster screwups from leaderships of various U.S. military functions starting in WWII. This text is a timeline of years of analysis prior to the formation of the U.S. Army Green Barets in the early days of Vietnam until the formation of the Seals approximately a year after the Green Barets. Throughout the writer gives battle fields accounts in Europe and the Pacific. You get a feel of the hurdles along the where various sub components that would become Seals were formed and utilized. It wasn't until the late 60's very early 70's that these proved out their usefullness and became leaders within the commando world. The writer does not go into recent history other than to say they've been highly utilized in both Iraq and Afganistan. Throughout he provides names of instrumental people who fought and died in the service of this country. Greatful to have read it. Anyone interested in Military History will find this book interesting.
November 19, 2021
If you are looking for another airsoft fanboi Navy SEAL book, move along. By Water Beneath the Walls is an incredibly well-researched, detailed ladened history of the SEALS; these are the hidden stories. Milligan reveals why the SEALS have ascended to a reverent rank among the world's elite units, and he does not shy away from the ugly moments either. He has woven it all into a gripping tale of the men who laid the foundation. There are a few characters that are immediately recognizable for those familiar with the Vietnam era exploits. I am surprised (and saddened) to see how their legacy has stood up against time and transparency.
For anyone interested in military history, this is a must-read. Even those whose interests lie more with the Army or Marines will find this chock-full of history that provides the context of how and why U.S. special operations units are who they are.
For anyone interested in military history, this is a must-read. Even those whose interests lie more with the Army or Marines will find this chock-full of history that provides the context of how and why U.S. special operations units are who they are.
February 15, 2024
What a fantastically researched history of US special operations, which included a drive though the Army, Navy, and Marines. Readers get the personalities, egos, and needs which created a patchwork of units that where raised, and to quickly dissolved as military objectives changed with the rise and fall of conflicts.
Not the status quo of special operations books, we see the DNA of the teams forming before they could be defined as we know them today. Additionally, the decisions to disband each variation of raiders, UDT, special forces are give more clarity past the stereotype uptose, snob admiral/general looking down upon unconventional forces, as in what can they deliver a conventional unit can't deliver itself.
Of course the coral reef issues with the Marines landing during the pacific island hopping comes in to play heavily.
Not the status quo of special operations books, we see the DNA of the teams forming before they could be defined as we know them today. Additionally, the decisions to disband each variation of raiders, UDT, special forces are give more clarity past the stereotype uptose, snob admiral/general looking down upon unconventional forces, as in what can they deliver a conventional unit can't deliver itself.
Of course the coral reef issues with the Marines landing during the pacific island hopping comes in to play heavily.
July 27, 2022
The focus of this book is the historical formation of the modern U.S. Navy SEAL teams from their WWII forefather the Navy Scouts and Raiders, and UDT teams. In the telling of their history however, Milligan's book covers the historical founding of almost every U.S. Special Operations unit. Rangers, Green Berets, Force Recon, and Delta force. This is one of the few books that I have found on the Scouts and Raiders/Under Water Demolition Teams and is well researched and written. As Milligan writes in the introduction, if you're looking for a book discussing the more recent exploits of modern Navy SEAL's, this isn't the book. If you're looking for a book covering the history of U.S modern special operation's units then this is the book for you.
February 23, 2025
This is a an easy to read history of the various US military organizations that preceded and led to the formation of the US Navy SEALS. The author attempts to answer the question of why the navy developed one of the best direct action aka raiding unit in the world instead of the army or marines. The book begins with WWII and ends with the end of the Vietnam War. Many of the units the author discusses, I have previously read about but the book contains enough new information that I enjoyed reading this entire book. Fair warning this is a long book at over 500 pages but well worth the time to read it.
February 3, 2024
More in-depth than any military history book before it
U.S. military and war history is a favorite topic of mine, and Milligan's book is a journey through DECADES of special operations history. I had no idea that the creation of the Navy SEALs not only went so far back, but that it relied on so many special operations groups beforehand to pave the road. An excellent read for any military history buff with the endurance to dive into the details Milligan lays out in 600-plus pages.
U.S. military and war history is a favorite topic of mine, and Milligan's book is a journey through DECADES of special operations history. I had no idea that the creation of the Navy SEALs not only went so far back, but that it relied on so many special operations groups beforehand to pave the road. An excellent read for any military history buff with the endurance to dive into the details Milligan lays out in 600-plus pages.
December 2, 2021
Blaise Pascal once wrote (paraphrasing), "If I had more time I would have written a shorter letter."
Perhaps the author was rushed because he included too much. A better editor would have been able to chop off about 50% of the pages -which toiled to cover every detail to the smallest. Nonetheless, because non-fiction is such a higher bar than fiction, and Milligan served our country, I will give it 3 stars.
Perhaps the author was rushed because he included too much. A better editor would have been able to chop off about 50% of the pages -which toiled to cover every detail to the smallest. Nonetheless, because non-fiction is such a higher bar than fiction, and Milligan served our country, I will give it 3 stars.
May 12, 2022
An incredible background behind what led to the formation of the Navy Seals and actions through the Vietnam War scrupulously detailed with end notes in the first real book on their history. This book is more than a history however, filling gaps in the knowledge many of us have about World War II, the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Vietnam War.
Overall a very enjoyable and fascinating read.
Overall a very enjoyable and fascinating read.
December 15, 2023
A very interesting history of special forces in general and the navy SEALs in particular. Certainly, another reminder of the unique character and composition of these men that separate them from other men. It seems clear to me that there are a limited number of people who can fulfill these roles. The book does end rather abruptly, it would have been more complete to spend at least few pages detailing the rise of the SEALs from post-Vietnam to what they are today.
December 22, 2024
Great history of the teams. Interesting ready, however I didn’t find the writing to be great. The author used paragraph breaks inconsistently and I often found that the thread would get lost in the story being told because of the writing. The author also uses a lot of jargon, slang, and references that he doesn’t define, so it’s useful to have a strong background in the topic to get the most out of the book.
August 1, 2025
Reading this book as research for my own pet project about one of the SEAL’s in this story, I found it to be invaluable for its background and context on how the SEAL’s came to be.
Milligan’s research is thorough and exhaustive and at times I found myself getting lost in the acronyms and technical descriptions of operations. That’s more of my own struggle, and overall I found this very helpful towards my own research.
Milligan’s research is thorough and exhaustive and at times I found myself getting lost in the acronyms and technical descriptions of operations. That’s more of my own struggle, and overall I found this very helpful towards my own research.
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