Gold Star Family of First SEAL Killed in Vietnam Visits NSWG-1

Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Group 1, the home of West Coast-based SEAL Teams, recently hosted the family of Billy Wayne Machen, marking a significant reunion 58 years after Machen's ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

NSW suffered their first combat loss on August 19, 1966, during a reconnaissance patrol against enemy bunkers southeast of Nha Be. Radarman 2nd Class Billy Wayne Machen, a 27-year-old SEAL from Dallas, Texas, and a member of SEAL Team ONE, bravely engaged the enemy, sacrificing his life to save his teammates.

“My mother often shared stories of my father and the immense pride he felt as part of Naval Special Warfare,” said Sam Machen, son of Billy Wayne Machen. “Being here today and witnessing the new facilities at NSWG-1 is an honor and an extraordinary moment to share with the NSW community and my family.”

Machen was posthumously promoted to Radarman 1st Class and awarded with the Silver Star and Purple Heart following his actions in Vietnam.

"Honoring the connections and legacies of those operators who paved the way for us is a core principle within the NSW community, " said Capt. Matthew P. Peterson, deputy commodore, Naval Special Warfare Group 1. "The special warfare operators of the Vietnam War significantly contributed to our current irregular warfare practices, and they continue to inspire how we serve today.”

Naval Special Warfare made a notable impact on the Vietnam War through its expertise in intelligence gathering, training South Vietnamese forces, and executing bold raids and ambushes. The legacy of NSW's impact during Vietnam remains the bedrock of the community, solidifying its reputation as experts in maritime special operations.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation's elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet's reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.