Amphib Base Dedicates Building to First SEAL Killed in Iraq

Naval Special Warfare Group 1's Training Detachment (TRADET) dedicated a building in honor of a fallen Navy SEAL at Naval Amphibious Base Wednesday.

The AO2 (SEAL) Marc A. Lee Training Center was officially named after Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class (SEAL) Marc A. Lee. Lee was mortally wounded during combat operations August 2, 2006 becoming the first Navy SEAL to be killed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

NSWG-1 Commanding Officer, Capt. Collin P. Green, spoke about Lee's character and the significance of this dedication.

“Naming the TRADET building after Marc is the ultimate honor and tribute to a SEAL,” said Green. “It reflects the respect and high regard his leadership, his teammates and the community had for him, the high standards of excellence he represented as a SEAL and more importantly as a person.”

Debbie Lee, mother of Marc Lee, addressed the crowd of more than 200 special warfare operators and honored guests. 

“A mighty warrior doesn't just happen; it takes much preparation and training: physically, mentally and spiritually – all of which Marc had made concentrated efforts in his life – so it is fitting that this building is being dedicated to Marc,” said Lee. “His life will continue to challenge, motivate and inspire the warriors that train in this facility to pursue excellence and change the world, just as Marc did.”

Lee was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his brave actions in the line of fire. During an assault, his team came under heavy enemy fire. To protect the lives of his teammates, he exposed himself to direct fire by engaging the enemy with his machine gun and died in the engagement. 

Lee's task unit commander in Ramadi, former Lt. Cmdr. John Willink, spoke of the influence Lee had on everyone around him.

“Everyone that knew him or met him or served with him, for all those people, everybody was a winner,” said Willink. “Marc made every second of his short life count and bravely sacrificed it all for his country and his teammates on the battlefield August 2, 2006.”

The AO2 (SEAL) Marc A. Lee Training Center will serve as headquarters for the training detachment, whose mission is to conduct unit level training for deploying SEAL platoons and troops in order to prepare them to execute Naval Special Warfare operations in the Central and Pacific Command's area of responsibility. 

After the ceremony, the guests were invited to tour the newly constructed quarterdeck where they could view displays of AO2 Lee's personal mementos and get a first-hand look at the building that will prepare SEALs for future operations.

“In this building that now bears his name, SEALs will forever follow Marc's lead,” said Willink. “They will train and sweat and work to become stronger and faster; they will work to become the most eminently capable warriors possible.” 

From a news release by Navy.mil