A riveting oral history of the US Navy SEALs—from World War II to Vietnam to Iraq—in the words of the warriors themselves “It is better to die than to look bad or lose.” —Capt. Ronald Yeaw There is no more elite fighting force in the world than the esteemed US Navy SEALs. Famous for their rigorous training, fearlessness, and incomparable skills on sea, air, and land, these are the warriors who are routinely charged with carrying out the most dangerous combat assignments, always in secret and under cover of darkness. Much has been written about their remarkable achievements, from the earliest days of the World War II Underwater Demolition Teams through action in the Persian Gulf. But now these courageous men get to speak for themselves, telling their riveting war stories in their own words. Veteran military author Orr Kelly (Brave Men, Dark Water) has gathered together the stunning recollections of current and former SEALs to present a vivid and breathtaking picture of life and death among the best of the best in US Military Special Operations. These brave men speak openly about their training and their missions, offering the uncensored, inspiring, sometimes shocking truth about their combat triumphs and the rare but devastating failures. They carry the reader along with them on the path to glory and into the blistering heat of the fires of war.