A Cross Section of the Mack Boynton Biography
Franklin Anderson

[Editor’s note: Franklin Anderson has been working on a Bio of Mack Boynton and this sections from that work is very interesting.]

Upon completion of the Taiwan mission, the Team returned to Camp McGill, Japan. As stated previously, Mack liked to keep his men busy, as it kept them in operational readiness. He encouraged them to participate in athletics, and they won the Camp McGill Football Championship. Thereafter other teams refused to play with them, as they were too rough.

Shortly after Team Eleven returned from WESTPAC, a detachment was ordered to participate in surveys with the first fleet to re-supply the DEW LINE Facilities. During these operations, they cleared channels with explosives, and dove on the USCG BURTON ISLAND. Some of the men were on a Beaver Aircraft that crashed in the Artic Ocean, no one was injured, and the detachment helped recover the damaged aircraft. They received several commendations from the highest level for the classified nature of their work under hazardous conditions

Mack's tour as CO UDT ELEVEN had passed the two-year mark when he received a phone call from his old friend CDR Kuntze, who was now in BUPERS and the UDT Detailing officer. CMDR Kuntze wanted Mack to come to Washington, D.C. for a two-year tour to fill a new RDT&E billet he was establishing. It was an opportunity to help develop new equipment and techniques to be utilized by the UDT and EOD. Further CDR Kuntze indicated that there was a lot transpiring regarding the future of the Underwater Demolition Teams and he wanted Mack to be involved.  Mack accepted the invitation and received orders to Washington.

On 27 March 1956, LCDR Mack Boynton was relieved by his old friend and shipmate Lt. T.R. Fielding. During the Washington tour, CDR Kuntze and Mack spent a lot of time with CNO considering the feasibility of establishing a "Special Warfare Group." CDR Kuntze had been expounding on the operations that UDT had conducted in Korea, especially behind the line operations far beyond the High Water Line. COMUDU TWO LCDR Don Gaither was also called to Washington periodically to provide comments and recommendations. Mack was assigned an office at Main Navy Department on Constitution Ave. This primary duty was in BUORD, with collateral duties at CNO, and as liaison officer with another government agency that was working with limpet mines. The discussions that CDR Kuntze, LCDR Don Gaither and LCDR Mack Boynton conducted were the foundations of the SEAL Team concept that was to become a reality in January 1962. The actual discussions proceeded to the activation point several times but budgetary conditions were not favorable. Many of the higher echelon felt that UDT's responsibility should stop at the High Water Line. However, CDR Kuntze was very eloquent in explaining how well UDT had operated behind enemy lines. After two years they had formulated plans to form a Special Warfare Organization.

During his tour in Washington Mack made many contacts, and was instrumental in ensuring that quality officers were assigned as CO's in the UDT's. CDR Kuntze contacted Mack and indicated that COMPHIBPAC required a replacement for CO UDT ELEVEN (CDR Fane), and discussed the available officers. Mack recommended LCDR John Roe for the assignment. John Roe had previously been CO of UDT 12 and had done an outstanding job. John was currently stationed at Key West, Florida as CO of the Underwater Swim School. At that time, Mack also indicated that he would like to return as CO UDT –12 and COMUDUONE. He and John Roe were close friends and he wanted someone who he could work with.

While in Washington Mack worked in Research and Development on many items for UDT and EOD. It often took two or more years to see items through development, test and evaluation before making it to the operational Teams. UDT had suffered a casualty due to a faulty firing device. Mack worked on several new types of firing devices, but he always felt the old systems employed in Hungnam and the Tachen Islands were still the most dependable. There were many other research projects under development, but his greatest efforts were working in concert with CDR Archie Kuntze and LCDR Don Gaither COMUDUTWO, in developing the groundwork for the establishment of a SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP.

After two years of discussions on the future of UDT's, it was recommended that the new units should be commissioned, consisting of the operational experience that UDT had established, and incorporating the new warfare concepts learned during the Korean conflict. UDT's had been denied opportunities in training, such as Jump School, material allowances, boats and diving equipment, by using the old slogan "It's not in your mission". They emphasized that the new units should not be bound by this thinking. New units with new missions was the way to go. They recommended a new unit with a broader and more flexible mission, unit formation, personnel allowances, material allowances, and financial backing. In 1958 LCDR Boynton received orders back to Coronado to assume command of UDT-12 and COMUDUONE. Upon leaving Washington Mack had lunch with CDR Kuntze who remarked, "During your tour as COMUDUONE, you will see the new units formed, and what we have recommended will come to fruition."

May 16, 1961, President Kennedy emphasized the orientation of existing forces for Naval guerilla warfare capabilities. CNO moved quickly, and the concept of SEAL Teams became a reality. COWHIBPAC called a pre-organizational meeting with their Staff and representatives of UDT.

Commanding General Fleet Marine Force Pacific also attended the meeting. The General was not hesitant in declaring that the SEALs should become a unit of the Marines. At this point, LCDR Boynton respectfully suggested that it would be easier to train a Navy man to shoot a weapon than to train a Marine to swim. CNO made the decision that SEALs would be Navy and concurred with COMUDUONE and COMUDUTWO that personnel from UDT would comprise SEAL Team One and Seal Team Two. CDR Kuntze called Mack and advised him that all of their efforts and recommendations while Mack was in Washington were the basis for the new SEAL Teams, and directives would be issued for the SEAL Teams formation. CDR Kuntze assured Mack that the UDT's would not be disbanded in the near future. CDR Kuntze also asked Mack to nominate a Commanding Officer for SEAL Team One and, SEAL Team Two. After considering all the outstanding officers in UDT-12, Mack nominated LT. David Del Guidice to be CO SEAL Team One. Mack directed CO UDT 11, Bill Thede, to nominate an officer for CO Seal Team Two. Thirty four enlisted personnel from UDT-11 and UDT-12 were ordered to report no later than 2400 1 January to COMUDUONE (LCDR Mack Boynton) for duty in SEAL Team One. Thus, SEAL Team One was established at the direction of Mack Boynton by LT Del Guidice on 1 January 1962.

Mack as the new COMUDUONE initiated many worthwhile actions. With the assistance of CO UDT ELEVEN Underwater Demolition teams were encouraged to participate in parachute training, when deployed to Okinawa. The parachute team was named "LEAP FROGS" by team member, Joe Thrift. They also started the TRUNKLINE, which was COMUDUONE's information bulletin.

Mack worked with astronaut, Gus Grissom in the early stages of the capsule recovery program. They were involved in perfecting the swimmer phase in the recovery of capsules of the Mercury/Gemini Space Program. Early in America’s manned space program NASA opted for water based landings for the recovery of the spacecraft and its crew. COMUDUONE became part of task force 130 under control of the Pacific Recovery Control Center (RCCP) at Kunnai, Hawaii. The training program involved UDT swimmers being embarked on the aircraft carrier which was most likely to be the first on the scene at splashdown. Sea King helicopters stationed on the carrier with UDT swimmers aboard would be launched well in advance of capsule recovery. At splashdown, the swimmers would exit the aircraft with a flotation device. It was inflated and secured around the capsule in the event that there was any danger of the capsule sinking.

In 1967 Mack was deeply saddened to learn of Gus Grissom’s death in the Apollo spacecraft accident.
Mack was the first UDT Officer to hold down an RDT&E billet for UDT's in Washington D. C. where he had made valuable contacts. He continued these liaisons and encouraged the exchange of ideas with the Naval Ordinance Test Station, the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facilities, the Atomic Energy Commission, General Dynamics, General Electric and other facilities and organizations for the continuation and development of new weapons and equipment.

Mack also wanted to enhance the training program and further develop a sense of unity within the teams. He developed a plan to take forty men at a time down the Colorado River on a five day IBS paddle. In the initial plan he wanted to make the trip through the rapids of the Grand Canyon. This route was being used by commercial rafters in large rubber boats. The Forest Service objected strongly, saying UDT's wanted to turn the river into a military training area. The Department of Interior concurred, so Mack moved the paddle to a new location. He chose Needles, California to Yuma as that would be a five day trip. Often the temperature in that region reached 120 degrees during the day and there were frequent swim calls. Each man was issued a small box of survival rations which consisted of "gruel bars." At the end of each day the men scrounged for snakes and frogs or anything else that was edible. At one point they raided a farmer’s corn field and dined on raw corn. Smokers found that they could do without tobacco for five days. Drinking water was provided by the river. The arduous twenty hour days of paddling in extreme temperatures took a toll on the men, but they all survived, (which was the purpose of the trip). Only one man had to be put ashore due to illness to make his way back to Coronado. On the return trip to the base they stopped at a place that sold date milkshakes that sounded great after five days on the river. Mack told the men that they could have one if they could afford it - Tex Modesset was heard to remark, "Capt'n, you're all heart!" Mack was the only one to make all three of the Colorado River trips.

Mack was a master of planting seeds and watching them grow. Through his and the officers initiative they got approval for team patches, but met opposition when they asked for berets. Once the command had an unannounced visit from Admiral Yeager. He subsequently sent Mack a letter of congratulations on the appearance of the command and the conduct and enthusiasm being displayed. He also thanked Mack for some lobsters he had received. Mack and John Roe were very diplomatic; when team members brought back lobster from the dives they offered some of them to the admirals. ADM Yeager was a strong supporter of UDT and took every opportunity to enhance and promote the development of the teams within the Department of the Navy. He would often ask Mack to host UDT demonstrations to entertain international dignitaries as well as many movie stars. Mack once suggested that they change the name of Underwater Demolition Teams to "Underwater Demonstration Teams." The admiral was not too happy with that remark.

The Teams were on the move under the leadership of these outstanding Commanding Officers, Mack and John Roe. This was the first time that both teams were under the command of Master Divers. It's noteworthy that Mack as CO UDT TWELVE/COMUDU ONE and John Roe as CO UDT ELEVEN had both enlisted in the Navy at an early age, and had advanced through every rate and rank from Apprentice Seaman to UDT Commands. Mack continued to select outstanding individuals for Command of Team Eleven when John Roe retired. He approved LCDR William L. Thede and later LCDR Wendel Webber. The selection of good Commanders started to pay off with outstanding reports coming in concerning the operational capabilities that were being displayed by the UDT's. The period of late 1961 until Mack's retirement in December 1962 was chock-a-block with activities. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was coordinating with Mack on the development of Special Weapons for employment by UDT's. Mack's background in RDT&E was proving beneficial in this coordination and events in the successful evaluation of weapons. At the same time, the formation of the SEAL TEAMS was complete, and Mack directed the establishment of SEAL TEAM ONE to be effective on 1 January 1962.

The Teams were gaining experience in varied capacities through the conduction of Cable Operations throughout the Pacific; Nuclear Test Series assistance. The Teams gained approval to design and wear uniform patches, which further instilled pride in the Unit. The Teams were severely undermanned due to the high attrition of trainees coming from the Training Unit, and lack of a career programs for Officers and men. Most Officers only served from 1 to 2 years before leaving the Navy or going back to the Fleet. There was very little continuity with the Teams for advance training and operational capabilities. The enlisted men were basically experiencing the same problems, and those who elected to stay in the Teams were at disadvantage in competing with the Fleet for advancement.

Upon establishing SEAL TEAM ONE, the paucity of men was more evident and actions were taken to recommend through the Chain of Command the establishment of a Career Program. This action ultimately was approved, but only after years of floating back and forth through the Navy. At the same time, actions were taken to form an Operational Support Group for the Conduct of Special Warfare. Mack gave LCDR Webber the task of coordinating and presenting this concept throughout the Navy. It took almost a year to succeed, but Naval Operational Support Groups were established on the East and West Coast – Not only did this give impetus to the organization, but was also an incentive for Officers and men to stay in the Navy.

As the Command was growing, so were the responsibilities. In August 1962 an operation was conducted that included representatives from the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility and the Atomic Energy Commission to effect the compatibility of a new weapons system. The demand for representation and the employment of UDUONE Personnel in more sophisticated operations lent impetus to the formation of Naval Operational Support Groups. Mack had brought the Teams back from almost sure extinction to a viable Organization that was being involved in many special and unconventional warfare type operations. The growth of the organization can be directly attributed to the outstanding capabilities and leadership of LCDR Mack Boynton. Mack's legacy of accomplishment can still be seen throughout the Navy and specifically in the outstanding accomplishments of SEAL TEAMS.

Mack retired from the Navy on 1 December 1962. During his time in the San Diego area he had found a ranch site in Valley Center. He built his home on a hilltop with an ocean view, and soon began to develop his land. Colorado River irrigation water had just become available and Mack established the first tree farm in the area. There was a demand for seedling citrus trees so Mack planted Mineola Tangelos in lots of five hundred that he sold to commercial growers as fast as he could grow them. After ten years of successful tree culture, and Mack's dream of being a gentleman rancher fulfilled, he sought a new venue for retirement.

Sedona, Arizona became his new home. He had visited family and friends there for years and he had always enjoyed the small town atmosphere and spectacular beauty of the area. It wasn't too long before he realized that inactivity was not for him, and a new friend who was a supervisor with the U.S. Forest Service, asked Mack if he would be interested in becoming a Forest Ranger. Mack was in uniform, again! He was assigned to the area of Coconino National Forest between Flagstaff, and Sedona, which included Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock Park. His duties were primarily in enforcement, including protection of Indian ruins, illegal wood cutting, drug operations, and campground security. Arizona State Parks purchased the Slide Rock Park area and Mack served with the State Parks in the same capacity until he retired in 1990.

The "Ozarks" always held a special fascination for Mack. The mountains, forest, and lakes were very appealing and in 1991 Mack and Sharon began a new adventure. They built a home on a point overlooking Beaver Lake, near Rogers, Arkansas. They had six acres with a quarter-mile of lakefront and a boat. The water was warm and the fishing was good. They enjoyed the area for six years until Mack's thoughts returned to the Sea.

In 1996 they moved to Hartsville, Washington where Mack was back in his element. Their home was situated at the convergence of Hood Canal and the Straits of Juan deFuca. Mack could watch the Navy ships coming and going, as well as Trident Submarines from the submarine base at Bangor. After living in Washington for seven years, they decided to change location, again.

Editorial / Frogs Crossing the Bar / Frog Search / Request for Contact / Behind Rebel Lines / Cross Section of Mack Boynton Biography / Turning Sasebo Japan Into Hometown USA / Reader Comments / Announcements / Resources-Links / Miscellaneous / Table of Contents