By Water Beneath the Walls

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This gripping history chronicles the evolution of American special operations, focusing on the Navy SEALs' transformation from unarmed frogmen to elite commandos. It explores how the U.S. Navy, primarily tasked with oceanic patrols, developed raiders capable of land operations and how a unit initially deemed unnecessary emerged as one of the world’s premier special forces, executing missions far from the sea in Iraq and Afghanistan. Former Navy SEAL Benjamin H. Milligan recounts this underdog story through key raids and the perspectives of both renowned and lesser-known leaders. He highlights the SEALs' predecessors in World War II and the Korean War, their pivotal role in the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and their critical experiences in Vietnam, where they honed their capture-kill mission. As the SEALs transitioned into elite commandos, they faced competition from other units like the Recon Marine and the Army Ranger. Milligan illustrates the significant victories and setbacks that redirected these forces and how the Navy capitalized on the opportunities left behind. Written with vivid detail and insight from a combat veteran, this account serves as both an essential history of the SEAL Teams and an engaging narrative of extraordinary challenges and remarkable individuals, making it a must-read for military history enthusiasts.