Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Rudolph “Rudy” Boesch: “He was SEAL Team Two”
SEAL stands for “SEa, Air, Land.”
Responding to President John F. Kennedy’s call for the military services to develop an unconventional warfare capability, the Navy established SEAL Team 1 at Coronado, Calif., and SEAL Team 2 at Little Creek, Va., in January 1962.
Formed entirely with personnel from underwater demolition teams, the SEAL mission was to conduct counter-guerilla warfare and clandestine operations in maritime and riverine environments.
In the late 1950s and early 1960, Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy determined a need for developing an unconventional warfare capability to counter a menacing Soviet threat, turmoil in places like Indonesia and Malaysia, and rising insurgency problems in South Vietnam.
In response to the demand for a maritime special operator, Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Arleigh A. Burke authorized the creation of the first two SEAL teams Jan, 1, 1962. SEAL Team 1 was established in San Diego, Calif. to support the Pacific Fleet. The team was established under the command of Lt. David Del Giudice. SEAL Team 2 was established in Little Creek, Va., to support the Atlantic Fleet. SEAL 2 was under the command of Lt. John Callahan. These first two SEAL teams were commissioned with a complement of 10 officers and 50 enlisted men taken from the ranks of the Navy’s Underwater Demolition teams who made their mark in World War II and Korea investigating and removing all obstacles, both natural and manmade from beach landing locations.
Shortly after establishment of the teams, the inaugural class of Navy SEALs took to the jungles of Vietnam for reconnaissance, ambush, captures, raids, POW recovery, and other innovative and offensive efforts to disrupt Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army operations and infrastructure. The teams were among the most decorated units in the Vietnam War.
While the character and mission U.S. Navy SEALs carried out then and now have not changed significantly, SEALs today have matured their tactical skills and capabilities from the days of KA-BARs, M-16s and PRC-77s. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles is paying huge dividends in intelligence gathering and target tracking. Navy SEALs communicate intra-sound and across the world in real-time, and with video. Navy SEAL armories carry fearsome, hand-held weapons for every environment and situation. From the Mekong Delta to the Hindu Kush, deep at sea or far into the desert, SEALs have conducted some of our nation’s most critical missions and are as relevant today, as they were when they were first created.
In spite of radical changes in technology and the times, the Navy SEAL of 2012 has the same dogged determination and exceptional toughness the 1962 “plank owner” possessed. Navy SEAL teams have an impressive battle field record, having earned every significant military award, including five Medals of Honor. Those successes do not come without countless acts of heroism and profound sacrifice. ‘Never quit’ and ‘always win’ are qualities that define the teams and its members vow to never compromise.
Dec. 2019 Family, friends, shipmates, and fellow Frogmen gathered to honor the life and service of retired Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SEAL) Rudolph “Rudy” Boesch at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort-Story base theater, Dec. 3.
“Rudy was not just our senior enlisted leader for 26 years, he was SEAL Team Two,” said retired Vice Adm. Joseph Maguire, Acting Director of National Intelligence and previous SEAL Team Two Commanding Officer.
“Rudy set the standard of conduct for military bearing, for physical excellence and for dedication to mission, to team, to family and to the country that he loved. Rudy didn’t just set the standard for all of us. Rudy was the standard.”
Boesch joined the U.S. Merchant Marine in 1944 at the age of 17, and one year later enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent the next 45 years on active duty. He immediately volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team training where his stellar performance led to his selection as one of the first U.S. Navy SEALs. Boesch retired in 1990 after serving two tours in Vietnam with SEAL Team Two and serving as Senior Enlisted Leader at United States Special Operations Command.
Throughout the ceremony close friends and family recalled special moments and funny anecdotes that celebrated and honored Rudy’s life and legacy.
“Master Chief pinned [my] Trident on my chest and I thought ‘this is awesome,’” said retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Steven Gonzalez, the officiant of the memorial.
“I cherished that Trident my entire career, only wearing it on special occasions but today, that same Trident continues Rudy’s legacy. I pinned that very same Trident upon the chest of my nephew who is stationed at SEAL Team Two and is currently deployed overseas.”
Rudy’s passion for the SEAL teams was contagious.
“There are few people in our community, the Navy or maybe even the world where one word defines who or what they are,” said Gonzalez. “For Rudy, that word is service.”
Rudy’s daughters spoke lovingly of their father and his time in the Navy. “He lived and breathed the military,” said Rudy’s daughter, Barbara Schlatter. “He didn’t want to retire, the Navy forced him to retire at age 62, but it never stopped him from being active.”
After retirement, Boesch spent most of his time giving back to the community. He served on the board of directors at a nonprofit organization that assists Navy SEALs and their families; he volunteered with a local police force; and he was an avid member of the Red Cross, always making time to help the brotherhood he never truly left.
In 2000, Boesch became famous across the U.S. after competing on the first season of Survivor where he finished in third place. Several years later he became the oldest contestant on the show when he was brought back for Survivor: All Stars. Despite this newfound fame, Boesch’s commitment to Naval Special Warfare never wavered.
“Rudy was truly a member of the greatest generation,” said Maguire. “He was an example to all of our generations that followed especially the SEALs and Sailors he mentored in his 45 years of service to our nation.”
NSWC’s mission is to provide maritime special operations forces to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, to support national objectives. NSW’s greatest competitive advantage is its people, and it provides the nation’s premiere maritime special operators and combat support personnel in support of U.S. Special Operations Command’s global mission.