| Underwater Demolition Teams | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder sleeve patch of the Underwater Demolition Teams |
|
| Active | August 15, 1942 - January 1, 1983 |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | SOF |
| Role | reconnaissance, infiltrating and exfiltrating by sea, underwater demolition, intelligence gathering |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Pierce Maui |
| Nickname | UDT |
| Battles/wars | Operation Overlord Korean War Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Okinawa Operation Torch Borneo campaign (1945) Battle of Peleliu Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Guam Battle of Leyte Gulf Invasion of Lingayen Gulf |
Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) were a precursor to the current United States Navy SEALs.
Contents |
Creation and Early History
The first group of volunteers was selected from the Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) in the spring of 1943. These volunteers were organized into special teams called "Navy Combat Demolition Units" (NCDUs). The units were tasked with reconnoitering and clearing beach obstacles for troops going ashore during amphibious landings, and evolved into Combat Swimmer Reconnaissance Units; this is a type of frogman operation. Their first issue breathing set was this type of rebreather designed by Christian J. Lambertsen.
WWII
The amphibious landing on Tarawa prompted the creation of the UDTs. Many marines drowned in the landing as they didn't know where the coral reefs were and where troops should disembark. General C. Marshall swore that would never happen again, he recruited the underwater demolition teams to recon the water to see where the reef was, and detonate obstacles along the beach. They also performed minesweeping on shores.
Cold War Operations
During the 1960s, each branch of the armed forces formed its own counterinsurgency force. The Navy utilized UDT personnel to form separate units called SEAL teams. Concurrently, Naval Operations Support Groups were formed to aid SEALs, and two other unique units (Boat Support and Beach Jumpers) in administration, planning, research, and development.
Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, SEALs performed reconnaissance missions. During the Vietnam War, Benrus Type I watches were developed for use in American Navy operations. The SEALs were the principal useres of the Brenrus Type I, in the jungles of veitnam. During Vietnam the SEALs used a weapon called the Hush Puppy. It was equipped with a very efficient silencer. It was nicknamed the hush puppy because of its distinct purpose. Its purpose was to silence the guard dogs and ducks in villages so they wont alert the entire place.
SEALs
In 1962 President Kennedy Commissioned the SEALs. SEAL stood for Sea, Air, and Land.
UDT Badge
For those who served in an Underwater Demolition Team, the U.S. Navy authorized a military badge known as the Underwater Demolition Badge. The badge was phased out and eventually replaced by the Special Warfare Badge. In the modern age, the Underwater Demolition Badge is considered obsolete.
UDTs in Fiction
- In Airport 77, a Navy diver team has to attach balloons to a sunken 747 to raise it long enough to evacuate the passengers and crew on board.
See also
- United States Navy
- United States Special Operations Forces
- Clearance Diving Teams
- Underwater demolition
- United States Navy SEALs
