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Combat Swimmer cover art

Combat Swimmer

By: Captain Robert A. Gormly, USN - Ret.
Narrated by: Adams Morgan
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Summary

Subtitled "Memoirs of a Navy Seal", Captain Robert A. Gormly tells his amazing story as the leader of the US Navy SEALs, taking us into the night, into the water and into battle on some of the most hair-raising missions ever assigned. Rising through the chain of command within the SEALs from platoon leader to commanding officer, Gormly's journey began with a chance meeting on a Virginia beach. Qualifying for the Navy's elite Underwater Demolitions Unit -- the precursor of the SEALs -- Gormly became an expert at underwater reconnaissance and guerrilla-style warfare. As a member of the newly formed SEAL Team Two, Gormly was trained to a fine fighting edge just in time for the war in Vietnam.

The SEALs created a legend that would grow throughout the war -- and earn an enemy bounty for anyone who could capture or kill a US Navy SEAL. But behind the myth and mystique was a remarkable fighting machine, a team of soldiers who knew their job and maintained their discipline in the face of firefighters, ambushes, and missions gone horribly wrong. In Gormly's vivid, gut-wrenching descriptions, the Mekong comes alive, as hours of careful stalking explode into incredible fusillades of violence -- including one in which Gormly's hand was nearly shot off. His unprecedented acts of heorism and daring brought Gormly recognition as well as numerous awards for both the success of his strikes and his ability to bring his men back alive.

In a career that included two tours of duty in Vietnam, as well as top-secret missions in the Persian Gulf, Gormly examines war from a strategic point of view as well as from his own personal experience. With insight and eloquence, he goes on to chronicle SEAL life after Vietnam, including what is perhaps the most graphic description ever of SEAL action in the chaotic invasion of Grenada.

©1998 by Robert A. Gormly (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Bob Gormly tells his story with remarkable wit, wisdom, drama, and grace. Combat Swimmer is a superb and fascinating story about the US Navy SEALs, from one of the best of the breed." (Hans Halberstadt, author of Inside the US Navy SEALs)

What listeners say about Combat Swimmer

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Brilliant book, bad recording and pronunciation.

Well written and vivd descriptions of operations and life in general for a SEAL officer of the time.

With that being said, someone must have recorded this on a potato. The audio jumps in volume at times which can be a bit jarring, and is generally poor in quality.
Pointed out by other reviews the narrator isn't very clued up on the pronunciation of some of the military jargon which I found amusing at times.

Well worth the listen overall.

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Great Listen

I'm not sure why this is apparently a kids book!!!. It goes into some depth about Seal operations. I'd love to hear what the authors thoughts are following 911 which occurred over a decade since the book was published.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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3/5

interesting story. the Audible Kids got me a little confused. a good listen anyway

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    5 out of 5 stars
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History we should all know....

Great retelling of a true hero's life story.

Audio recording wasn't the best but doesn't make the book any less amazing.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Narration not great

narrated as a series of blunt sentences which became monotonous and irritating. Gave up listening

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