This book is the most complete history of the U.S. Navy SEALs -- from their roots in World War II to their celebrated efforts in the War on Terror -- written with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community. The book will tie-in with a fall 2014 PBS series. Over the last fifty years, a small Navy unit has evolved into the world's most celebrated fighting force: the U.S. Navy SEALs. Until now, their stories have been sealed in the chambers of operational secrecy -- and the brotherhood of SEAL anonymity. Drawing on exclusive interviews with more than 100 former special operators, highly respected retired SEAL Dick Couch and award-winning author Bill Doyle record their stories in Navy Seals and give us the epic chronicle these legendary warriors deserve. Navy Seals charts the SEALs story, from their origins in the daring Naval Combat Demolition Teams, Underwater Demolition Teams, Scouts and Raiders commando units, and OSS Operational Swimmers of WWII to their coming of age in Vietnam and rise to glory in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. Illustrated with 40 pages of photographs, here are the greatest missions of the world's most legendary special operators in their own words. - Publisher.