Richard ‘Dick’ Marcinko – the Navy SEAL commander who led the troops in the Vietnam war died at 81 on Christmas day.
The Navy SEAL museum released a statement as a tribute stating “Marcinko played a very unique part in SEAL history, leaving a legacy like no other.”
Son of Richard ‘Dick’ Marcinko, Matt tweeted “His legacy will live forever. The man has died a true legend. Rest in Peace Dad. I love you forever.”
Matt called his father a “true legend” and a “hero”.
Richard Marcinko was born in Lansford, Pennsylvania on 21st November 1940. He joined the US Navy in 1958 and then there was no looking back. He rose to the rank of commander later on. Meanwhile, he also did a bachelor’s in international relations as well as a master’s degree in political science.
Marcinko was a legend. He was the first commanding officer to be deployed from the SEAL team 6 and Red Cell.
He was deployed in the 2nd platoon, SEAL Team 2 in Vietnam during the war of 1967.
According to the Navy SEAL museum, “Because of his strong leadership and great success, the North Vietnamese Army placed a bounty on his head, payable to anyone who could capture and kill him.
“Marcinko was never caught; he went on to be awarded the first of four Bronze Stars, as well as a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Silver Star.”
The museum further added “During the Tet Offensive, Marcinko ordered his platoon to assist U.S. Army Special Forces at Châu Đốc.
“What began as an urban street battle evolved into an intense rescue mission of American nurses and a schoolteacher trapped in the city’s church and hospital.”
Richard Marcinko led SEAL Team 6, which later on took the credit for killing Osama Bin Laden in 2011.
At that time Marcinko has stated he felt like a “proud papa” when SEAL Team 6 killed the most wanted man in the world.
Marcinko wrote a lot of books including his biography which later on became the New York Times bestseller.
The Navy SEAL museum said, “Dick Marcinko played a very unique part in SEAL history, leaving a legacy like no other.”
“‘Demo Dick’ is considered the United States’ premier counterterrorism operator.”
