Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The First Navy SEAL

'I'll try it, Sir; I'll do my best.'

Lieutenant William Barker Cushing's words to the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Fox before his successful sinking of the CSS Albemarle.

All through the civil war William B. Cushing
distinguished himself by signal acts of perilous adventure. He combined coolness and sound judgment with a courage unsurpassed, and on all occasions proved himself a valuable officer. (From his obituary in the New York Times).

Though SEALs did not exist during the Civil War, Cushing
has often been called 'the first Navy SEAL.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Looks like one.

Also, note the LT shoulder boards and CDR stripes. He's a SEAL Zulu 5 Oscar if I ever saw one.