Book SummaryBy Water Beneath the Walls, by Benjamin H. Milligan

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of By Water Beneath the Walls

Throughout the periods of World War II and the Korean War, the Navy formed specialized teams comparable to elite commando forces, progressively taking on tasks characteristic of special operations.

In the initial sections of the book, Milligan sets the stage by exploring the surprising development of specialized naval forces, focusing particularly on the turbulent beginnings of the Marine Raiders and the joint Army-Navy venture known as the Scouts and Raiders. He argues that the Navy's growing interest in commando-type missions was not a deliberate, long-range plan but rather a series of opportunistic adaptations to the failures of its sister services, particularly the Army, to adequately equip and employ its own special units. The writer emphasizes that the calamitous outcomes of the Makin Atoll operation, along with the endeavors in North Africa, reinforced the naval commanders' belief in the importance of specialized commando units, while also revealing the deficiencies in the Army's strategy toward this type of combat. Milligan points out that the Navy, unlike the Army and Marines who ceased their special operations forces, unintentionally created and sustained its own due to these shortcomings.

The Navy's first venture into forming specialized commando units led to the establishment of the Marine Raiders, but this effort was eventually abandoned because of skepticism regarding their effectiveness and disagreements among various branches of the military.

Beginning his inquiry, Milligan delves into the inception of the Marine Raiders, a unit established in 1942 after Admiral Ernest J. King issued a directive, signifying the Navy's first venture into establishing a specialized commando force. Despite the clear need for forces in the Pacific Theater capable of striking at the enemy's distant and vulnerable islands, and notwithstanding the initial enthusiasm, the upper echelons of the Marine Corps, guided by Commandant General Thomas Holcomb, exhibited reluctance and skepticism regarding the formation and deployment of specialized commando units. Holcomb was intent on cultivating a formidable marine force capable of engaging in large-scale conflicts on par with the capabilities of the US Army, prioritizing major battles over unconventional, smaller skirmishes. Holcomb viewed the mission of the Raiders as a diversion that detracted from his primary concern, the Fleet Marines.

The initial triumphs of Edson's 1st Raiders in traditional amphibious attacks stood in stark contrast to the experiences of Carlson's 2nd Raiders, who focused on penetrating deeply into hostile areas.

Holcomb appointed two officers with strong military backgrounds and political connections to safeguard the Raiders from external influences and ensure their objectives were in harmony with the broader objectives of the Corps, thereby reducing King's influence over the unit. Merritt Edson, distinguished for his involvement in the US occupation of Nicaragua and for writing the Corps' first Small Wars Manual, was chosen to command the 1st Raiders. Edson's successful use of his men in the assault on Tulagi to eliminate shore batteries that threatened the invasion fleet showed him to be a capable leader and his troops to be competent Fleet Marines, but it did little to distinguish or justify the Raiders' role as specialized commandos. Holcomb chose Captain James Roosevelt, the son of the president, and Major Evans Carlson, with his deep experience in guerrilla warfare from Nicaragua and his support for Mao Tse-tung's Communist guerrillas, because their unique insights were in harmony with King's strategic approach to leading the 2nd Raiders. Edson believed the Raiders exemplified the quintessential spirit of the Marines, whereas Carlson and Roosevelt viewed them as a specialized force capable of executing rapid, forceful attacks and disappearing just as quickly. Carlson implemented unique training and disciplinary techniques, removing rank-based privileges and adopting the motto "Work Together" to foster unity within the unit. Carlson significantly erred by overlooking the necessary water-based preparation his troops needed.

Context

• The differing focuses of the 1st and 2nd Raiders reflect broader strategic debates within the military about the best use of specialized forces. Traditional amphibious assaults were seen as essential for large-scale operations, while deep penetration tactics were considered valuable for disrupting enemy supply lines and communications.
• By reducing external influences, Holcomb aimed to maintain the Raiders' strategic autonomy, allowing them to operate effectively without being overly constrained by broader naval strategies that might not align with their specialized missions.
• The assault on Tulagi was part of the broader Guadalcanal Campaign, which was the first major offensive by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan. Amphibious warfare involves using naval ships to project ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore.
• Captain James Roosevelt, the son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, brought significant political influence and connections, which were crucial for the Raiders' strategic positioning and support within the military hierarchy.
• The "quintessential spirit of the Marines" refers to the traditional values and ethos of the Marine Corps, which emphasize honor, courage, commitment, and the ability to adapt and overcome challenges in various combat situations.
• Carlson's experiences with guerrilla tactics, particularly his time with Mao Tse-tung's forces, influenced his approach to training, emphasizing adaptability and cohesion over traditional military hierarchy.
• Failing to prepare troops for water-based operations could lead to operational failures, as troops might struggle with landing logistics, face increased vulnerability during beach assaults, and be unable to retreat effectively if needed.

The...

By Water Beneath the Walls Summary The intensifying rivalry among different military branches, such as the Navy and the Army, for dominance in unconventional warfare tactics.

In the second section of his work, Milligan explores the vital rivalries between military services that were instrumental in shaping and evolving the Navy SEALs.

Milligan suggests that the ongoing competition for resources, personnel, and relevance in a changing world stage caused the different arms of the military to resist relinquishing duties that could be more suitably managed by another division. The Army's reluctance to sufficiently prepare its troops for the demands of amphibious warfare nearly rendered the specialized Marine Raider squads superfluous, suggesting that such operations were unnecessary. The Army and the Navy collaboratively founded the Scouts and Raiders School at Little Creek.

The battle for dominance within the top-tier US special operations forces reached its peak with the Navy's unconventional combat in China, which required a change in command and the dissolution of certain groups within the Army, the OSS, and the Navy.

The Marine Corps initially hesitated to establish specialized groups adept in irregular warfare, as Commandant Holcomb anticipated that their primary involvement would be in extensive, traditional conflicts similar to those the US...

By Water Beneath the Walls Summary The inception of the Navy SEALs dates back to the Second World War, and by the Vietnam War era, they had developed into a premier fighting force.

The final segment of the story transitions to the SEALs' evolution, tracing their development from a group originally concentrating on reconnaissance and destructive operations to their present role as the foremost elite military units in the United States, a rise that might seem coincidental without the author's thorough analysis of the historical elements that enhanced their standing.

Throughout this section, Milligan underscores the significant disparity between the intended plans and the eventual outcomes: The founders intended to create a naval force adept in specialized raids, which had ceased to be operations of the Army and Marines, but they lacked a detailed strategy for its execution or a definitive understanding of its function in operations. The author depicts the SEAL Teams' voyage to Vietnam, highlighting their transformation from initial doubt to a result that was unexpected from the start.

The rigorous training program initiated by Draper Kauffman at Fort Pierce was instrumental in cultivating the technical prowess and enduring tenacity that would characterize all future SEALs as they assumed their roles.

The inception of SEAL missions can be traced to the...