The Nation’s “First” Navy SEAL, And War Hero, Passes Away At 84
Member of original Navy SEAL team dies at 84
PUNTA GORDA  Roy Boehm, who helped start the U.S. Navy’s first SEAL team, has died. He was 84.
Boehm, a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, died at his southwest Florida home Dec. 30, his son, Robert Boehm, said.
“He was a true patriot, he was what you called a man’s man,” the younger Boehm said. “He always put his country first.”
Lt. Nathan Potter, Deputy Public Affairs Officer for Naval Special Warfare Command, said though Navy does not officially recognize a first SEAL, Boehm was the first officer in charge of one of the original teams.
“Naval Special Warfare’s thoughts go out now to Lt. Commander Roy Boehm and his family,” Potter said. “He served honorably for 30 years in the Navy and we thank him for his service to his nation.”
The Navy’s elite unit  whose name stands for Sea, Air and Land forces  are deployed for operations such as reconnaissance missions and unconventional warfare. Boehm, who fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, helped assemble the first SEAL team during the 1960s. He eventually chronicled his experiences in his book, “First SEAL.”
“He’s the founding father,” said Terry Lynn, director of the Charlotte County Veterans Council. “So there’s not a Navy SEAL, I think, that doesn’t know his name. He is to the Navy SEALs what George Washington is to the United States.”
He is survived by his wife and four children. He was preceded in death by a son.
(AP)
Click Roy Boehm’s Picture for video:
War hero, first Navy SEAL, dies in Punta Gorda
By WINK News
WINK NEWS - Military legend Roy Boehm has died in Punta Gorda. Boehm was a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, fought in three wars, and started the Navy’s first SEAL team.
Boehm was born in Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and spent the next 31 years in the Navy. Boehm had lived in Punta Gorda.
To read a full accounting of his life click on the link to the left of this article. It is an article from our news gathering partner, the Charlotte Sun Herald.
According to his on-line biography, he was awarded these metals:
Bronze Star with combat “V”, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation (1942), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (1967), Navy Good Conduct Medal with 3 Stars, China Service Medal, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal w/1 Silver Star/1 Bronze Star/ 1 Arrow Head, Victory Medal WW II, WWII Occupation Medal Navy, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, US Vietnam Service Medal, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Medal, United Nations Korean Medal, United Nations Medal, RVHJ Campaign Medal with Date, USN Expert Rifle Medal, USN Expert Pistol Medal.
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