Richard Marcinko passes away at 81
Richard Marcinko, 81, passed away this past Christmas. (Rogue Warrior/Richard Marcinko/Facebook)
The Facebook page, for the Navy Seal Museum, announced the passing of Richard “Dick” Marcinko, at 81. His service included actions against the enemy in Vietnam, as well as standing up and leading “SEAL Team Six.” He retired from the Navy and continued contributing to society through his books and security firm.
From the military Times:
Marcinko led the SEAL team in what has become known as the Navy’s most successful SEAL operation during the Vietnam War: the May 1967 assault on Ilo Ilo Han. Marcinko and his men killed many Viet Cong and destroyed six of their sampans, according to the Navy SEAL Museum. Marcinko deployed a second time with SEAL Team Two during the Vietnam War. His platoon assisted Army Special Forces during the Tet Offensive.
He was one of two Navy representatives on a task force to help free American hostages during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. After the tragedy, the Navy tasked Marcinko with designing and developing a dedicated counterterrorist team.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward selected Marcinko as the first commanding officer of the unit. At the time, the Navy had two SEAL teams. According to the Navy SEAL museum, Marcinko named the unit “SEAL Team Six” to make other nations believe there were additional SEAL teams. He also hand-picked members from across existing SEAL teams and Underwater Demolition Teams. Marcinko led SEAL Team Six for three years.
“The SEALs who knew Dick Marcinko will remember him as imaginative and bold, a warrior at heart,” retired Navy SEAL Adm. Eric Olson, who commanded U.S. Special Operations Command from July, 2007 to August, 2011, told Navy Times. “He was a spirited rogue for sure, but we are better off for his unconventional service.”William McRaven, the retired Navy SEAL admiral who oversaw the raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and followed Olson as SOCOM commander, was once relieved of command by Marcinko over a clash in leadership styles, according to a biography.
“Dick Marcinko was one of the more colorful characters in Naval Special Warfare history,” McRaven told Navy Times. “While we had some disagreements when I was a young officer, I always respected his boldness, his ingenuity and his unrelenting drive for success. I hope he will be remembered for his numerous contributions to the SEAL community.”
The military Times has more on this news.
Category: Veterans in the news
Wow, I had no idea he was so “mature”.
Same. I thought he was younger too.
Guy did a lot, but also had a few enemies for sure.
RIP, RW.
Damn. I spent a good amount of time in his books.
Lord, please comfort this man’s family and friends.
Rest In Peace, Dear Sir.
Not surprised Marcinko and McRaven would have disagreements. One was a SEAL leader of men and the other a politician.
That was my thought as well.
Fair winds and following seas, Skipper.
Another Warrior takes his place in Valhalla.
Legends never die.
He’s one of many leading the armies of Heaven and God is probably patting him on the back and chewing him out for lack of decorum in doing so.
My father who served many years and is very much like Marcinko told me as a young man to read Rogue Warrior.
That should be required reading in every U.S. high school program.
God bless him and his family.
I have heard he was the real deal and i have heard that he was a bs artist and “embellisher” in his older age with his post-war endeavors.
I read the book several years past.
No side on this, just pointing out what I heard.
RIP,,
Bad azz.
I hope his family publish the books he could not in his life.
I had the pleasure of meeting him twice at book signings. The first time he asked me what I did, and I was stuck for a reply, because, after I left the Navy, I had held many jobs, but did not really have a profession. That encounter was one of the things that motivated me to get off my fourth point of contact and go back to school and become an RN. The second time I met him thanked him for helping me get on the ball and make something of myself. He just smiled and congratulated me. I will always look back on our meetings fondly.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Sir
Wow.
Now I have some reading to do.
Godspeed and Fare Well, Good Sir. Phony Phil wishes he were you.
God met DM at the gates of heaven and pushed him to the head of the line, telling St. Peter “I got this one”.
Also, McRaven had no imagination, that was his problem.
I have read a couple of articles about his passing. None seem to mention his rank at retirement. Either that or I have a far worse problem reading than I thought I did.
RIP SEAL.