Before They Were Seals - They Were Frogmen

[Fierce Critter]

With the Ken Burns WWII documentary airing, there has been a resurgence of hubub in my family about my dad's service as a Frogman at the tail end of WWII. Specifically, they were referred to as the UDT - Underwater Demolition Team. My dad was one of the guys who would go underwater - no air tanks, no dive suits - scout out mines and report back on deck their locations so the gunners could blow them out of the water from the surface.

Heh. As daughters of a former Navy Frogman living in the Great Lakes State, we spent a great deal of time swimming in lakes over the years. As kids, we'd love it when my dad would join us - and dread it at the same time. He could last an extraordinary amount of time under water. And we would just shiver in anticipation of when he'd sneak up on us from below and scare the living shit out of us. He was never cruel - never dragged us under or anything like that. But that sneakiness and uncertainty were enough to create a thrill I really miss.

I don't swim distance very well. But due to my dad's indirect training, I can float nearly effortlessly for a really long time. I've never had to test it, but I'm pretty confident that in an emergency situation, I could do so for hours. Floating, as opposed to swimming, takes an odd sort of "let go" mindset. You have to trust the water, trust your body to stay up and fight the urge to flail or kick. It's a skill that's not easily taught, which attests to my dad's influence.

Anyway...

There are a couple websites devoted to the UDT's. The first one, The Navy Seal Museum, is what you'd expect from the title. There's a UDT museum in Florida, and my dad has been there. He has a brick on their memorial path. If you can't visit it in person, you can take a virtual tour on the site.

The second is Navy Frogmen . Com. I only just started browsing the site.

My dad was in unit 26. There's at least one accounting on one of the pages about one of their day's activities.

I'm really proud of my Dad. I wish I could get him to Washington DC to see the WWII memorial they just built in the last few years. There aren't a lot of WWII vets left. My dad is 81. He's in exceptionally good health, often mistaken for being in his 60's. But he's had a quad heart bypass in the past 7 years or so, and like the rest of us, he's human. I don't like to think in terms of my parents' days being numbered. Nobody does. But my parents are the age of most DGN members' grandparents. I guess I might feel their mortality a little sharper than I'd like to.

If you'd like, please take a look at the links I provided. I'd like to share any responses I get with my Dad.

[Lillylu29]

My hats off to you father, Thank you sir! you are a wonderful man for being their for us......

[Head Wreck]

indeed, there are many services during that war which are underated. modern media attention on now for you.

[sass_in_the_pants]

That is so cool, FC!

You have every reason to be proud of your dad.

If you can make it down to Washington DC, if there is ANY way possible, I definitely think you should.

There are cheap flights down there, and sometimes Amtrak runs specials. The drive if I recall correctly, is only like eight hours. It would mean so much to your dad.

I just remember when we were younger going to Washington DC with my parents. Other families took vacations to Disney. Dad thought his children should have civic pride. So while other families went to Mickey's house and rode Space Mountain, we went to the White House, and rode the Metro. We went to the Vietnam Memorial, too. Dad found the names of some friends on the wall. He cried, just a little. And he hugged us very tightly. It was a brief moment in childhood when my dad needed me more than I needed him.

I don't remember seeing the White House. I don't remember seeing the Washington Monument. I do remember watching my father shed a few tears for his fallen friends. There's your civics lesson.

[TrixieGothGirl]

My hat's off to your dad. (salute) Not everyone can be a seal. I saw a show about the NAVY Seals & they go through some pretty rough stuff. It gave me a new respect for anyone who goes through that and not wash out.

[Kit Kat P]

Many thanks to your father. If you get a chance you should take your dad. It's very moving.