Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Encyclopedia
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, also known as the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, is located at 3300 North A1A, North Hutchinson Island
, in St. Lucie County
, just outside Fort Pierce
, Florida
. It houses exhibits to inform and educate on the role of Navy Underwater Demolition Team
s (UDT) and Sea, Air, Land (SEAL)
teams. The museum also preserves the history of the SEALs (the original Navy frogmen first trained outside of Fort Pierce).
The idea of the museum originated in the home of Albert Stankie, where he and other former UDT Frogmen gathered personal artifacts and experiences from their service in World War II. They worked to procure the defunct Ft. Pierce Treasure Museum building and site. This evolved into a dedicated facility, which opened in 1985, and was recognized as a National Museum by an act of Congress signed into law February 7, 2008.
North Hutchinson Island
North Hutchinson Island, Florida is an Atlantic coastal barrier island, lying north of the Fort Pierce Inlet in St. Lucie County, Florida. It is separated from the mainland by the Indian River Lagoon. North of the county line between St Lucie and Indian River counties, it is known as Orchid...
, in St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
, just outside Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce, also spelled Ft. Pierce, is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, USA. It is known as The Sunrise City. The population was 37,959 at the 2004 census. As of 2008, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 41,000. It is the county seat of St. Lucie County.Fort Pierce is part...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It houses exhibits to inform and educate on the role of Navy Underwater Demolition Team
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
s (UDT) and Sea, Air, Land (SEAL)
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
teams. The museum also preserves the history of the SEALs (the original Navy frogmen first trained outside of Fort Pierce).
The idea of the museum originated in the home of Albert Stankie, where he and other former UDT Frogmen gathered personal artifacts and experiences from their service in World War II. They worked to procure the defunct Ft. Pierce Treasure Museum building and site. This evolved into a dedicated facility, which opened in 1985, and was recognized as a National Museum by an act of Congress signed into law February 7, 2008.
UDT-SEAL Memorial
The focal point of the Museum is the UDT-SEAL Memorial, the only Memorial in the world dedicated exclusively to the United States Navy SEALs and their predecessors. The Memorial consists of a 500-pound, 9-foot-tall, bronze sculpture of a modern Navy SEAL. The names of all Underwater Demolition Team members — the "Frogmen" of World War II and modern Navy SEALs — who have died in the service of the country are carved into black, granite panels on the walls surrounding the sculpture and its reflecting pool.Other notable exhibits
The Museum collection includes a number of rare artifacts dating from the founding of the SEALs, from the days of Scouts & Raiders, through the Underwater Demolition Teams, to recent present-day activities of US Navy SEALs:- Original World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era obstacles used for demolition training prior to the Normandy landings ("D-Day"). - LCPL "the Shark Tooth Boat" used by the UDT in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II during the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. - Patrol Boat River PBR, used during the VietnamVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
era. These boats had a shallow draft and jet drive making them ideal for insertion and extraction in the rivers and canals of the region. - Apollo space crafts—the actual training devices used by the UDT "frogmen" recovery Teams during the Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury space missions.
- SEAL Delivery VehicleSEAL Delivery VehicleThe SEAL Delivery Vehicle or is a manned submersible and a type of Swimmer Delivery Vehicle used to deliver United States Navy SEALs and their equipment for special operations missions....
s or SDVs, specifically the MK XII MOD 0, the MARK IX (9), and the MARK VII (7) MOD ), which are mini-subs that flood inside (the operators wear oxygen tanks). These SDVs are used to clandestinely enter enemy harbors. - Various SEAL vehicles from operations in KuwaitGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
, and Iraq. - The Alabama MaerskMV Maersk AlabamaMV Maersk Alabama is a container ship owned by Maersk Line Limited and operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation....
lifeboat aboard which Somali piratesPiracy in SomaliaPiracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in the early 21st century...
held Captain Richard Phillips hostage. - A wall honoring Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipients, with the citations for each one. - Rare artifacts, equipment and weapons from the founding years during WWII through current engagements in Afghanistan.
Annual UDT-SEAL muster ceremony
Each Veteran's Day weekend, the Museum holds a three-day tribute to UDT and SEAL veterans, that includes demonstrations and exhibitions.External links
- Navy SEAL-UDT Museum official website
- Muster Schedule information about the Muster