HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Secretary of War Pete Hegseth turns 46 today.
From serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to leading the Pentagon, Hegseth has spent decades advocating for America's warfighters and national defense.
Eighty-two years ago, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy into the hell of war — answering the call of duty in defense of freedom.
Today, we honor their courage, remember their sacrifice, and remain forever grateful for the liberty they secured for generations to come.
Today, on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, we honor the predecessors to Navy SEALs, the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs).
These daring "frogmen" landed in the first assault waves at Normandy to blow up beach obstacles and clear paths for Allied troops.
They operated in small, 6 to 9 man teams armed with explosives, cutting tools, and satchel charges to destroy German "hedgehogs" (steel obstacles), timber stakes, and mines under heavy enemy fire.
NCDUs suffered a staggering 52% casualty rate, with 37 killed and 71 wounded, making it one of the bloodiest days in the history of Naval Special Warfare.
Despite fierce resistance, they successfully blew gaps in the German defenses at both Omaha and Utah beaches, allowing vital reinforcements and equipment to land.
Following the war, remaining NCDUs were absorbed into the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), which later evolved into Navy SEALs.
Not forgotten 🔱
Delta Force legend Thomas Greer, better known by his pen name, Dalton Fury, was among the very first operators to write a book about the initial invasion of Afghanistan.
His 2008 book, Kill Bin Laden: A Delta Force Commander’s Account of the Hunt for the World’s Most Wanted Man, discussed the unsuccessful mission of tracking Bin Laden in the mountains of Tora Bora.
Prior to joining the Unit, Greer served as an enlisted soldier in the 75th Ranger Regiment for eight years.
Throughout his 15-year career in special operations units, he hunted war criminals in the Balkans, served as an assault force commander on direct action raids against al Qaeda and the Taliban, and tracked Abu Musab Zarqawi in Iraq.
Greer retired in 2005 after more than 20 years of military service. In civilian life, Greer consulted on strengthening the security of all the nation’s nuclear power plants and was a military consultant for the popular video games Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.
He died in 2016 after a battle with cancer.
He was 52.
Former A Squadron operator Brent Tucker after the gunfight that nearly ended his career. Tracking a high value Al Qaeda target in Afghanistan when the contact developed into a 1 versus 4 engagement. He took out the threat. He took rounds doing it.
Green Beret first, then Selection, then Delta. The career arc that produces some of the most operationally experienced assaulters and snipers in the entire community. Purple Heart recipient.
The math on a 1 versus 4 isn't supposed to favor the one. Sometimes it does, when the one came up through Group, made it through OTC, and built a career around the assumption that the math doesn't get to vote. Tucker did. He came home.
Double amputee veteran Paratrooper Jon Harmon, who lost his legs serving Aghanistan with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division prepares for the upcoming historic jump into Normandy to honor those who jumped before him.
Three years ago today, Sgt. Luis Cruz, 33 passed away!
He was assigned to Headquarters, 440th Civil Affairs Battalion at Ft. Carson, Colorado.
He was well liked and respected by all his fellow soldiers in arms. Known for being very uplifting and supportive of all those that he worked with. He is dearly missed and will never be forgotten.