lie or truth about navy seals/navy divers?

Question

someone i know who served in the military 1961-1965 tells me he was a navy seal, then later said there weren't navy seals back then, but he was a navy diver (underwater demolition?). he also says that he spent a lot of time in the woods of viet nam, living like the enemy, and fighting hand to hand combat and was wounded fighting on land. did underwater divers fight on land during the early 60's in viet nam? he also says that he was a "driver and body guard" for pierre salinger during his navy stint. can all of this be true? the man has told other stories that don't seem credible about his past.

when i first met him, he had a "navy seals" license tag on the front of his car and said he was on the first "seals" team. then he started saying he was a navy diver because seal teams hadn't yet formed. he says that he also went to jump school and went to coronado for some training and that while he was stationed in hawaii before deploying to v.n., he drove pierre salinger and some general around and that he had to stop to pick up call girls for them.?? also says he earned a purple heart, but that it didn't mean anything because everyone got one for every little thing, so he threw it away.

Answer 1

The story might be true. However there're a few things
that do indeed sound strange. First of all SEALS date
back to the Vietnam war. The first seal team was formed
during that time (i think 61/62). If he was a frogman at
that time he just would know that. Frogman did do rec.
but I'm not aware that they did baby sitting. He might have
been picked for seal training back then and then the story
would sound better. However. If he was he would have been
a member of the very first seal unit. You probably don't
forget when that was ;)

Answer 2

Possibly,
In 1947, the Navy organized its first underwater offensive strike units. During the Korean Conflict (June 1950 – June 1953) these Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) . On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke before the U.S. Congress authorizing the establishment of the Navy SEALs, and in December of 1961 Navy SEALs are officially approved for operations via the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Arleigh Burke. At 1300 hrs on January 1, 1962, SEAL Team ONE was commissioned in the Pacific Fleet and SEAL Team TWO in the Atlantic Fleet. These teams were developed to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare and clandestine operations in both blue water and brown water environment. In 1963, the first Vietnam War-detachment of elements of SEAL Team One was sent to Da Nang, Vietnam to serve under the command of the CIA Chief of Station. In 1964, SEALs became a component of the Commander-in-Chief (CINC) of Vietnam’s theatre forces. During the Vietnam War, Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) performed reconnaissance missions and SEALs carried out numerous offensive operations. Concurrently, Naval Operations Support Groups were formed to aid UDTs, SEALs, and two other unique units

Answer 3

Sounds like he is sensationalizing the the truth. (Whatever the truth might be)Seals units started out as diving units trained in demolition and other combat stuff. It is very possible for seal to have fought on land in Nam. Here is a good link on Seal history.
http://www.navyseals.com/community/navyseals/history.cfm

Answer 4

Almost every man you meet who loves to spin fascinating yarns about being some sort of special forces operator is lying. The real ones don't need to puff themselves up, they already know how good they are and don't need your approval.

Answer 5

1. Im Double Jointed 2. I Can Play Almost all The instruments in Band 3. I Worship Satan UR FAV COLOR ISNT GREEN!!??

Answer 6

He could have switched MOS or branch, or ehh..Dont discount all of it, but I doubt its all true.