The Men with Green Faces
55 years ago today, 7 May 1969, in Norfolk, Virginia: “Members of SEAL Team TWO participate in a ceremony to award them nearly 60 medals, most of which were earned in combat in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.”
Remember that the awards are likely just for a platoon or two (12-24 men) returning from a rotation.
Note at least three silver stars, five Vietnam Gallantry Crosses, and a sea of Bronze stars, many with combat “Vs” or stars for multiple awards. National Archives K-82040
The Brown Water Navy, including the rotating SEAL Platoons, in 1968 alone earned an impressive “one Medal of Honor, six Navy Crosses, four Legions of Merit, 24 Silver Stars, 290 Bronze Stars, 363 Navy Commendation Medals, and more than 500 Purple Hearts, with one out of every three Sailors being wounded,” as noted by the NHHC. Of note, the MOH was earned by LTjg Joseph Robert (Bob) Kerry, USNR, of Team ONE.
“Mekong Delta, Vietnam – SEAL team members move in on their target, an enemy bunker complex on Tan Dinh Island, during Operation Bold Dragon III. March 26, 1968.” Note the tiger stripes, short boonie, camo beret, Stoner 63 in the lead frogman’s hands, slung early M16 complete with “jungle mags” carried by the center man, and the early Colt XM148 40mm grenade launcher on the M16 in the rear. NHHC Accession #: K-46398
Seals on Ambush Painting, Acrylic on Canvas, by Marbury Brown; Framed Dimensions 38H X 50 1/2W Accession #: 88-161-EU Established to carry out guerrilla and anti-guerrilla operations in harbors, inland waters, and their adjacent land areas, SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) teams usually operated in 6 man units to gather intelligence and conduct raids, reconnaissance patrols, salvage dives, and, as depicted here, ambushes of enemy forces.
First heading to Vietnam in 1962 in small groups to help train the locals in the ways of the frogman, by 1968 all-up 12-man SEAL platoons, rotating from both Coronado-based Team ONE and Little Creek’s Team TWO, had switched to full-scale direct action in the Vietnamese marsh and littoral, supported by mobile support team (MST) boat elements (the forerunners of today’s SWCC guys) as well as the Seawolves of HAL-3.
As noted by the UDT SEAL Museum:
SEAL platoons carried out day and night ambushes (but much preferred night operations), hit-and-run raids, reconnaissance patrols, and special intelligence collection operations. Calling them the “men with green faces” because of the face camouflage they used, the VC feared SEALs and often put bounties on their heads.
The last SEAL platoon departed Vietnam on 7 December 1971. The last SEAL advisors left Vietnam in March 1973. Between 1965 and 1972 there were 46 SEALs killed in Vietnam. They are forever remembered on the Navy SEAL Memorial at the Museum.
