News and Intel from Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

MUSEUM UPDATES

Bravo Zulu, Teammates

The past week marked a monumental milestone for the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. On October 3, we celebrated our official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony alongside Mayor Todd Gloria, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, community partners, and members of the Naval Special Warfare family. The following day, on October 4, we proudly opened our doors to the public, ushering in a new chapter of service, education, and inspiration for San Diego and beyond.

This achievement was made possible through the tireless work and steadfast commitment of so many: our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, plank owners, donors, and the City of San Diego. Each contributed to turning a vision into reality, creating a space that honors the rich and adaptive 80-year history of Naval Special Warfare and the men and women who have served within it.

In the days leading up to opening, we hosted a series of incredible events, each one unique, but all reminders of our shared purpose and responsibility: to preserve history, inspire service, and strengthen community.

Now, as visitors walk through the doors, we see curiosity, awe, reverence, and pride reflected in their faces. It reminds us that our mission has only just begun.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Please stay with us as we continue to grow, expand, and build toward something even greater for San Diego and the nation.

Bravo Zulu, Teammates

The past week marked a monumental milestone for the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. On October 3, we celebrated our official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony alongside Mayor Todd Gloria, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, community partners, and members of the Naval Special Warfare family. The following day, on October 4, we proudly opened our doors to the public, ushering in a new chapter of service, education, and inspiration for San Diego and beyond.

This achievement was made possible through the tireless work and steadfast commitment of so many: our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, plank owners, donors, and the City of San Diego. Each contributed to turning a vision into reality, creating a space that honors the rich and adaptive 80-year history of Naval Special Warfare and the men and women who have served within it.

In the days leading up to opening, we hosted a series of incredible events, each one unique, but all reminders of our shared purpose and responsibility: to preserve history, inspire service, and strengthen community.

Now, as visitors walk through the doors, we see curiosity, awe, reverence, and pride reflected in their faces. It reminds us that our mission has only just begun.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Please stay with us as we continue to grow, expand, and build toward something even greater for San Diego and the nation.

Highlights From The Opening Events

Plank Owner Preview – September 24, 2025

The first individuals to experience the museum, were donors to the BUD/S Class and SWCC Class Plank Owner Campaigns. On September 24, 2025, around 300 current and former NSW operators, families, friends, and donors, enjoyed a 12-hour day of visitation, remembrance, honor, and reunion. Visitors in the first half of the day enjoyed coffee and pastries from Intución Café and those who came the second-half of the day, received gracious discounts on beer and free bites from Protector Brewery, a SEAL-owned brewery just across the street from the museum. Check out more of the action here.

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening – October 4, 2025

Just over a week later, Navy SEAL Museum San Diego welcomed elected officials, local and regional dignitaries, NSW personnel, and more to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on October 4, 2025. Speakers included San Diego Mayor, Todd Gloria as well as VADM Tim Szymanski, and Navy SEAL Museum Board Member, Yolla Kairouz, who shared her family’s story about the escape from Lebanon as a girl and what freedom means to her and why those who defend it should be honored. See the highlights below:

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is honored to be a part of this region’s most-popular youth-focused, cultural promotion. Now in its fourteenth year, Kids Free San Diego is one of the San Diego Museum Council’s three signature programs, encouraging families to explore San Diego’s vibrant museum scene, to return to an old favorite or check out a new destination while also enjoying cost savings. From Oct. 1-31, kids 12 and under receive free admission to more than 100 museums, attractions, hotels, and restaurants in San Diego County.

With the purchase of a full price adult ticket, two kids (under 12) receive free admission to the museum all month long.*

Buy your tickets online, use promo code KIDSOCT25.

*Virtual reality (Navy SEAL Xperience by HAVIK) not included.

VOLUNTEER with Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego promises to inspire all people by bringing the Navy SEAL story to life through storytelling, education, experience, remembrance, and community service.

One way to personify that is to serve your community here at the NSMSD Showcase. You don’t have to have been a Naval Special Warfare operator to make a difference in the lives of visitors. If you are personable, enjoy interacting with visitors, have a desire to support a local cultural institution, or are just wanting to lend your time, we would be honored to have you join the Team.

Calling all former NSW operators interested in volunteering your time with Navy SEAL Museum San Diego? If so, you will find a personally rewarding experience in a very unique setting. Help thousands of Museum visitors enjoy the rich history of Naval Special Warfare.

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Be A Philanthropic Force Multiplier – All Donations Doubled

With the opening of the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego, a generous donor has pledged to match every gift—dollar for dollar—up to $1 million through December 31, 2025.

That means your donation goes twice as far.

Visitors are already calling the Museum a powerful place of connection—where service members and their families feel seen, valued, and understood.

Visitors are already calling the Museum a powerful place of inspiration—where guests feel a sense of pride and moved to a higher calling. But we’re not done yet. We still have $1.8 million to raise to complete the vision of opening the doors to a legacy that will stand for generations.

If you’ve already given, we thank you and ask that you consider doing so again with this opportunity.

For inquiries regarding other ways to contribute, or for additional questions, please contact Kim Rhinehelder at 916/301-2208 or kimrhinehelder@navysealmuseumsd.org. Or click the button below.

NSW HISTORY

Déjà vu All Over Again. Well, Sort Of.

PT Boats to PTFs – By Phil Garn – Historian, Combat Craft Crewman Association

The U.S. Navy’s experience with its famous PT boats of World War II laid the groundwork for a new type of fast attack craft needed for covert operations in Vietnam: the Patrol Torpedo Fast (PTF) boat.

After WWII, the Navy discarded its wooden, gasoline-powered PT fleet and pursued advanced, but ultimately unready, designs. This left a critical gap when clandestine operations in South Vietnam began. To address the need for a capable coastal interdiction craft, the Navy once again turned to a foreign design, purchasing the superior diesel-powered Tjeld Class patrol boats.

These Norwegian imports became the Nasty Class PTFs (PTFs 3–22). They were heavily modified, their torpedo tubes replaced with substantial armament like 20mm cannons and 81mm mortars, making them heavily armed gunboats.

Under MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observation Group), these boats performed hundreds of covert missions along the North Vietnamese coast. Their assignments included direct action, psychological warfare, and inserting and extracting SEAL-trained commando teams, most famously in actions that led to the Tonkin Gulf Incident of 1964.

The Nasty Class was later supplemented by the American-built, larger, aluminum-hulled Osprey Class PTFs (PTFs 23-26). The PTF fleet proved instrumental in the clandestine naval operations of the Vietnam War before being gradually phased out in the 1970s.

NSW TRIVIA

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Which famous baseball player (and Purple Heart recipient) was part of an LCS crew during World War II that duked it out with German pillboxes and beach defenses at Omaha and Utah Beaches?

(scroll down for answer)

MUSEUM PARTNERS

Looking for a Tasty Bite and
Flavorful Brew?
Then Try This Navy SEAL Brewery

(Conveniently located near the Museum.)

Protector Brewery, San Diego’s first organic brewery, was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty, who discovered a passion for brewing craft beer during his deployments.

With the support of his wife, Cory, he decided to focus on organic brewing, aiming to create a legacy of sustainability and health within the beer community. Protector Brewery uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.

Since opening in 2017, they have expanded their distribution and partnered with various organizations. They value giving back to their community and appreciate the support of craft beer enthusiasts.

And to say we’re excited to be in their neighborhood would be an understatement. Look out for a great partnership once the Museum is open.

Looking for a Tasty Bite and Flavorful Brew?
Then Try This Navy SEAL Brewery

(Conveniently located near the Museum.)

Protector Brewery, San Diego’s first organic brewery, was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty, who discovered a passion for brewing craft beer during his deployments.

With the support of his wife, Cory, he decided to focus on organic brewing, aiming to create a legacy of sustainability and health within the beer community. Protector Brewery uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.

Since opening in 2017, they have expanded their distribution and partnered with various organizations. They value giving back to their community and appreciate the support of craft beer enthusiasts.

And to say we’re excited to be in their neighborhood would be an understatement. Look out for a great partnership once the Museum is open.

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Yogi Berra

Lawrence Peter Berra better known as “Yogi” Berra served as a Seaman during World War II and was part of an LCS crew that duked it out with German pill boxes and beach defenses at Omaha and Utah Beaches, then later in Southern France.

He would be wounded in combat and receive a Purple Heart. He is much better known as a catcher for the record setting New York Yankees and Coach of the Mets and Astros and of course coined many well-known Yogi-isms including; “It ain’t over till it’s over” and of course “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

Anytime is the Right Time to Give the Gift of NSW History!

Do you have a history buff in your household? Do you have a current or former NSW operator in your life?

Did you know that Navy SEAL Museum’s photo archives are online to view and available for sale?

Check out our online library and search key words to find the right image for you or a loved one.