A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALs
ABOUT THE BOOK
- Publisher : Diversion Books
- Author : Andrew Dubbins
- Publication Date : August 23, 2022
- Hardcover : 352 pages
With echoes of Unbroken; the derring-do and bravado of The Right Stuff; and the battle-forged camaraderie of Band of Brothers, this is the World War II story of 95-year-old veteran George Morgan and the elite Underwater Demolition Teams, precursor of the Navy SEALs—who were given nearly impossible pre-invasion missions from D-Day to the most crucial landings in the Pacific Theater
Into Enemy Waters is the story of World War II’s most elite and daring unit of warriors, the direct precursors to the Navy SEALs, told through the eyes of its last living member, 95-year-old George Morgan.
Morgan was just a wiry, 17-year-old lifeguard from New Jersey when he joined the Navy’s new combat demolition unit, tasked to blow up enemy coastal defenses ahead of landings by Allied forces. His first assignment: Omaha Beach on D-Day.
When he returned stateside, Morgan learned that his service was only beginning. Outfitted with swim trunks, a dive mask, and fins, he was sent to Hawaii and then on to deployments in the Pacific as a member of the elite and pioneering Underwater Demolition Teams. GIs called them “half fish, half nuts.” Today, we call them frogmen—and Navy SEALS.
Led by maverick Naval Reserve Officer Draper Kauffman, Morgan would spend the fierce final year of the war swimming up to enemy controlled beaches to gather intel and detonate underwater barriers. He’d have to master the sea, muster superhuman grit, and overcome the demons of Omaha Beach.
Moving closer to Japan, the enemy’s island defenses were growing more elaborate and its soldiers more fanatical. From the black sand beaches of Iwo Jima to the shark infested reefs of Okinawa, to the cold seas of Tokyo Bay, teenaged George Morgan was there before most, fighting for his life. And for all of us.
Whether you’re a history buff or not, award-winning journalist and author Andrew Dubbins presents a book you definitely won’t want to miss.
The interesting chapters are woven around an interview with George Morgan, one of the last surviving veterans of the Underwater Demolition Teams. This elite group of swimmers at the time was led by the school commander Draper Kauffman. Today we would call this group the Navy SEALs.
This book goes from visiting with the then 93-year-old Morgan for a very short time and then telling the past that he experienced as though it were present. The present conversations with Morgan will occasionally jump back into the various stories.
The book is fast-paced and broken into manageable chapters. As I read I couldn’t help but consider what Morgan, a 17-year-old lifeguard from New Jersey emotionally experienced during the war. Then I compared him to my grandsons who are just a few years older. These young, and I mean 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 men, willingly sacrificed so much for our country. And I refer to all wars.
Non-Fiction
While some non-fiction can be a little too deep and dry for me, this book is anything but those things. The unique writing and stories will quickly reel you in and win you over.
I didn’t have to think twice to rate this 5 Stars. The writing is good and the presentation interesting. As for the content, the more we learn about war and sacrifices, the more we appreciate others and the freedom they helped fight for.
QOTD: What part of 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 means the most to you?
My thanks to @bookforwardpr and @diversionbooks for an ARC copy of this book and the ability to freely post my opinion.
More From Andrew Dubbins
About the Author
Andrew Dubbins is an award-winning journalist and author, based in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in Alta, Los Angeles magazine, The Daily Beast, Slate, and other publications. He was named “Journalist of the Year” by the Los Angeles Press Club in 2021, and several of his narrative non-fiction stories have been optioned for film and TV.
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