The first commanding officer of the Navy’s SEAL Team 6, Richard “Dick” Marcinko, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 81, according to his family.

The Navy SEAL Museum also made this statement on Marcinko’s passing: “Dick Marcinko played a very unique part in SEAL history, leaving a legacy like no other. “Demo Dick” is considered the United States’ premier counterterrorism operator. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, teammates, and friends.”

After being rejected by the Marines for not having earned a high school diploma, Marcinko deployed twice to Vietnam with the U.S. Navy. He ultimately earned 34 citations and medals for his leadership and valor in the Vietnam conflict.

Marcinko was then tapped to design and lead an elite counterterrorism team, which later became SEAL Team 6, which he commanded from August 1980 to July 1983.

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