Phil H. Bucklew | |
|---|---|
 Phil Bucklew in 1944 | |
| Nickname(s) | Buck |
| Born | December 18, 1914 Columbus, Ohio, US |
| Died | December 30, 1992 (aged 78) Fairfax, Virginia, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1930–1934, 1942–1969 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | SEALs |
| Commands | Naval Special Warfare Group One |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Silver Star Bronze Star Croix de Guerre (France) |
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Phil Hinkle Bucklew (December 18, 1914 – December 30, 1992) was a professional American football player who went on to become a United States Navy officer. He served in one of the Navy's first special warfare units during World War II. While serving in the European Theater, he was twice awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest decoration in the United States Military.
After World War II, Bucklew completed his Ed.D. at Columbia University and went on to command SEAL Team One. In the early stages of the Vietnam War he authored a report in which he predicted the Vietcong would make use of the intercoastal waterways and rivers as routes for supplies and personnel. Although it was initially dismissed, this report was later used as a source to increase the use of Navy SEALs in direct action missions. In 1969 Bucklew retired as a captain and worked as a consultant for a shipbuilding company in the private sector.
Bucklew died in 1992 after a series of strokes. He is known as the "Father of U.S. Naval Special Warfare" and the Phil Bucklew Naval Special Warfare Center at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado bears his name.[1]
- ^ Couch, Dick (2003). The Warrior Elite. The Forging of SEAL Class 228. New York: Three Rivers Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 1-4000-4695-5.