In early 1943, the Navy took command of portions of the barrier islands off of Florida’s East Coast and established the U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base (USNATB), Fort Pierce. Navy Scouts & Raiders (S&Rs), Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), the forerunners of today’s Navy SEALs, were trained at this location. The Fort Pierce location was invaluable, as it provided the perfect environment for ex- perimental testing of techniques and equip- ment. The barrier islands were divided by a deep-water inlet that allowed passage of oceangoing vessels. Tents for trainees were constructed at the southern end of the beach, where a large portion of the amphibious training took place. The first NCDU class commenced in June of 1943 under Draper L. Kauffman, considered “The Father of Underwater Demolition.” After observing the Scouts & Raiders’ rigorous training regimen, Kauffman condensed their eight-week training program into a single week and incorporated it into the NCDU training program. “Hell Week” is still the inaugural training precedent that stands today in BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demo- lition/SEAL). The training is so difficult, it claims the same attrition rate presently as it did in the Forties–typically 75%. In April of 1944, CDR Kauffman commanded the newly formed UDT-5 in the Pacific. The U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base, Fort Pierce closed in 1946, but not before more than 140,00 men received revolutionary training. 3,500 of these men were NCDUs. After World War II, life resumed as before to the area. With continued growth and an increase in tourism, there were virtually no signs that Fort Pierce had ever been the site of a vital naval training base during the war. That changed in 1981 when several original UDT members reunited to recount stories and share memories of their training days. These forever Frogmen emphatically agreed to begin encouraging community officials to discuss a way to preserve these memories and educate the public about the integral role Fort Pierce played in the war effort. Of primary concern, of course, was the desire to honor the service of the men who trained at the USNATB, the birthplace of the Frogman. After months of deliberation, it was decided a museum would best serve this purpose. A committee was formed, comprised of about 20 volunteers, including a handful of these enthusiastic Frogmen. An existing but va- cant building, the Fort Pierce Museum, was suggested for the proposed war museum and negotiations began with the State. Since Fort Pierce was the only site for training Navy Frogmen in World War II, the UDT theme was presented and accepted. The Navy SEAL Museum, named to include today’s elite SEAL Teams formally established by the U.S. Navy under the direction of President History of the Navy SEAL Museum John F. Kennedy in 1962, opened its doors on Veterans Day in 1985, with hundreds of World War II Frogmen in attendance. The Museum has grown tremen- dously in the three decades since its inception in the mid-Eighties. What began as a humble building with a handful of dedicated artifacts from a few former Frogmen of World War II has morphed into a contemporary, interactive experience. Boasting one of only two Black- hawk helicopters on public display, a Mark V Special Operations Craft, and the Captain Phillips’ Maersk Alabama lifeboat, the Navy SEAL Museum is home to some of the most unique artifacts around. The Museum was recognized with the prestigious distinction of a National Museum in 2007. In recent past, the Museum has completely renovated its west wing to feature the con- temporary and interactive Cold War Gallery. With a timeline that travels back in reverse chronology, beginning with the year 2000 and ending in 1941, this new gallery offers a glimpse into the count- less covert operations the Navy SEALs spearheaded during The Cold War, show- casing the impressive capabilities this highly adaptive Special Oper- ations Force has employed through time. Additional remodeling of the original build- ing was just completed in November 2017, entirely transforming the World War II Gallery. This newest gallery focuses on the foundational history of SEAL predeces- sors and the fundamental need to establish specialized units in an increasingly hostile and changing world. Beginning in 1941 with America’s entry into WWII, visitors can experience stories of the crucial operations in which the first Frogmen participated through 1945. Artifacts, photographs, and exhibits provide guests with a greater understanding of the essential role these courageous men fulfilled during the Second World War. The only Museum dedicated to pre- serving the legacy of the Navy SEALs, the grounds also host a Memorial Wall, of utmost importance to this heri- tage, naming the 298 men who have died in training and times of war since the origin of Frogmen. The Memorial is a sacred monu- ment for the fallen, a humbling reminder of sacrifice for the living. Like the Frogmen of the Forties to the SEAL Teams of the New Millennium, the Navy SEAL Museum is constantly evolving to maintain its edge and carry forth its mission. While the warriors of this elite fighting unit have a tactical mission to maintain homeland security, the Museum is dedicated to educating the public about this Special Operations Force’s invalu- able role, and caring for the Navy SEAL community through the Trident House Charities Program.