Throughout 2025, Shipmate is commemorating the service and sacrifice of Naval Academy alumni who served in the Vietnam War. More than 40 alumni shared their stories to help further the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation’s Legacy of Valor series.
For all who stood watch, we honor your service and will not forget.
On 24 April 2025, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion on the emergence of SEALs during the Vietnam War. ADM Robert Natter ’67, USN (Ret.) moderated the event at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Nearly 100 attendees, including about 20 Naval Special Warfare selectees from the Class of 2025, heard stories from Vietnam veterans and former SEALs CAPT Tom Murphy ’66, USN (Ret.), CAPT Dick Couch ’67, USN (Ret.), and CAPT Sandy Prouty ’67, USNR (Ret.). The panelists took questions form the audience and offered a glimpse into the rigorous training prospective SEALs will experience after commissioning.
Navy Cross
Alumni Lead with Courage and Selflessness
Selflessness is a common theme among the 22 alumni who were awarded the Navy Cross for their service during the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Colonel Frank M. Wroblewski ’63, USA (Ret.), also demonstrated an unfailing commitment to his soldiers, earning the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross. While there is no official policy to explain why, fewer Medals ofHonor were awarded during the decade-plus of U.S. involvement in Vietnam (261) than in the four years of World War II (473).
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
SEALs Evolve into Nimble, Direct-Action Units in Vietnam
Everything went smoothly for then-Lieutenant Junior Grade Charles Sanford “Sandy” Prouty ’67, USNR (Ret.), and his MIKE platoon on a raid in Vietnam until evacuation time. The freshly minted SEAL had been in Vietnam for less than three months when his 10-man unit received significant and credible intelligence. A former Viet Cong fighter turned informant relayed the location of a large medical cache. On 3 November 1969, Prouty led a SEAL heliborne operation into enemy controlled territory.
TWO DIFFERENT WARS
Depending on their location, Marines faced distinct tactics and capabilities from their Vietnamese enemies
Then-Second Lieutenant Charles C. Krulak ’64, USMC (Ret.), quickly discovered he wasn’t entering the war he expected when he arrived in Vietnam. He’d heard about loosely organized Viet Cong fighters whose hit-and-run guerilla warfare tactics brought an unpredictability to clashes in the jungle and on rivers. Those adversaries had neither the firepower nor combat or leadership experience to confront the American military in traditional warfare.