The most spectacular UDT action occurred in the northern Korean cities of Hungram and Wonsan in late 1950. UDT detachments supported initial reconnaissance and minesweeping of Task Force 90 and later assisted in demolishing port facilities after the introduction of Chinese Army units forced a withdrawal of U.N. forces. The Frogmen's major actions involved going behind the lines to disrupt enemy supply and communications lines. Throughout the war, UDTs operated from their familiar high-speed transports to blow up tunnels, bridges and roads within easy striking distance of the ocean. In addition, they supported amphibious landings at such places as Pchang Dong to reinforce the Pusan perimeter during the summer of 1950 and Inch'on and Wolmi Do Island in September 1950. Frogmen also supported the U.N. and CIA in a number of roles, including reconnaissance, raids, rescuing downed airmen and providing military training to South Korean forces. For the first time the Frogman had ventured out of water and into the land to strike havoc against enemy installations. This new role was to be expanded and refined with greater training and more improved equipment until the most deadly and diverse fighting unit for its size in all the Navy appeared on the Vietnam coast and rivers.
Movement in most of South Vietnam was heavily involved in and around the waterways. The southernmost part of the country was at or below sea level. It was difficult to strike at the enemy who seemed to melt away after an attack, and more difficult to pursue him with traditional means. The U.S. Navy tasked the SEALs to locate the enemy report his movements and disrupt his infrastructure. The SEALs fought in the deltas, the rice paddies and the rivers. They quickly adapted to enemy practices, using small groups and light weapons and special equipment to hunt down and capture required intelligence. Often this involved obtaining information from U.S. sources and going into the field to locate and destroy key elements of the Viet Cong command structure. One of the ongoing jobs of the SEALs was to locate and destroy weapons caches which were camouflaged and often booby-trapped. The SEALs approached the caches heavily armed with a variety weapons and explosives. Such weapons as the 12 gauge riot shotgun found its place in the list of tools utilized. Silenced pistols and knives were always present. The enemy's preferred weapon, the AK-47 was also found among the units as replacement ammo was available from their enemy. With stealth and cunning, the Navy SEALs' approach was silent and deadly. The Viet Cong soon learned to fear the "demons" who became known as "the men with green faces" from the camo-paint they wore during raids.
Once we had completed the inside, it was time to review the various vehicles which had been preserved outside. An old favorite from my own military days in the 60s was standing tall. The UH-1B Iroquois, also called the "Huey" was flown by Navy personnel from Helicopter Attack Squadrons Three, during the war in Vietnam. Nicknamed the "Seawolves", they provided SEALs with rapid insertion and extraction as well as fire support. Stationed in the Mekong delta, these heavily armed gun ships and their four-man crews were always on call for the SEALs. Fitted with four M60 machine guns and two rocket pods along with other hand held weapons, they could and did respond almost instantly day and night. Another craft, known as the LCPL (Landing Craft Personnel Large) was built after World War II to replace the main "cast and recovery" boat. The Frogmen went over the side into a rubber boat and then into the water. They were picked up again in much the same way. Although this boat is much larger then its predecessor it was much faster because it had a bow.
It was quite an afternoon of exploration and insight. Needless to say the SEAL legacy continues on in missions in Afghanistan and other hot spots. The original Frogman has come a long way since the 1940s.

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