The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida is one of the best military museums we have visited. I was very impressed with the caliber of this museum. We lived in Washington DC for several years, and this museum was on par with any Smithsonian. The displays were well thought out with professional multimedia components.
Museum Mission
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.
Museum Location
Now you may be asking yourself, why Fort Pierce? Due to its WWII history, Fort Pierce is considered as the birthplace of the U. S. Navy Frogmen. From 1943 to 1946, thousands of brave volunteers were trained as members of Naval Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams. The World War II Frogmen have evolved into the most elite fighting force in the world, the U. S. Navy SEALs.
Museum Highlights
The museum is home to a vast array of artifacts and exhibits dedicated to the history of these elite warriors. The collection provides a window into the secret world of Naval Special Warfare. While I hope you will get the chance to go and experience the entire museum for yourself, I’ll share a few of the highlights here.
Maersk Alabama Lifeboat
The Maersk Alabama was captured by Somali pirates on April 8, 2009. When you visit the Museum, you can board the lifeboat upon which Captain Richard Phillips was held hostage for five days before being rescued on April 12, thanks to the accuracy of Navy SEAL snipers. Read the story here.
Unique Weaponry
The Museum is home to a unique collection of weapons dating from the earliest days of special warfare. Navy SEALs have the reputation of using the best weapons available in the world. If they couldn’t buy it, they made it. In addition to primary weapons systems used through the decades, our collection contains many one-of-a-kind and hand made/custom configured devices that go far beyond mere firearms and knives.
Sikorsky UH-60 “Black Hawk”
On January 25, 2012, a team of United States Navy SEALs raided a compound 12 miles north of the Somali town of Adow, killing nine Somali pirates and freeing their hostages, U.S. citizen Jessica Buchanan and Danish citizen Poul Hagen Thisted. The Black Hawk on display flew Jessica & Poul out to safety!
WWII Era Beach Obstacles
On the grounds of the museum are the original training obstacles dating from the founding of the joint Army and Navy Amphibious Scout and Raider School in 1942. The training base was established on the Fort Pierce beach where the Museum now stands. These obstacles were discovered in the 1990s by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and were donated to our collection.
Navy SEAL Memorial
The National Navy SEAL Museum is home to the only memorial dedicated solely to honoring Navy SEALs and their predecessors for their sacrifice. The centerpiece of the Memorial is a bronze sculpture of a modern Navy SEAL combat swimmer. The names of all Underwater Demolition Team members who have died in the service of the country are carved into black, granite panels on the walls surrounding the sculpture and its reflecting pool. You can read the names of those honored here.
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These sea grapes form a long tunnel that leads away from the parking lot towards the sea. These plants are so important to maintaining a healthy dune system and preventing erosion that the state of Florida has protected it, banning removal and restricting trimming of sea grapes in beach areas. The sea grape itself is mostly pit, which is inedible, and there is not enough flesh on the fruit to merit commercial cultivation. However, locals make jams, jellies and even wine with them.
It also boasts three short hiking trails with interpretive signs. The first is Maggy’s Path to the Lagoon Trail. Volunteers spent hundreds of hours removing invasive species along this trail that leads to the Indian River Lagoon. Across the lagoon, virtually every parcel of land is developed. But on this side, Blowing Rocks Preserve protects a mile of coastline, sheltering pristine beaches lined with mangroves and buttonwood.
Designated Florida’s State butterfly, the zebra longwing can be seen at Blowing Rocks Preserve year round. The preserve’s native plant garden is a good place to learn about host and nectar plants for butterflies.
The Lagoon Trail is an elevated boardwalk with interpretive signs along the way describing the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and this species-rich estuary. Mangroves help protect shorelines from erosion caused by wave energy and storms. They also provide sheltered nursery areas for fish and shellfish.
