FAUQUIER COUNTY, Va. — Richard Marcinko, the founding commander of the Navy’s SEAL Team 6, the elite unit credited with the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, died Saturday.
Marcinko died at his home in Fauquier County, Virginia, of what was believed to be a heart attack, his son, Matthew Marcinko, told The New York Times.
Last night, Christmas evening, we lost a hero, who’s also known as The Rogue Warrior, the retired Navy SEAL commander AND the creator of SEAL Team Six, my father, Richard Marcinko. His legacy will live forever. The man has died a true legend. Rest In Peace Dad. I love you forever pic.twitter.com/QG0cG2qjoo
— Matt Marcinko (@yungspecter) December 26, 2021
The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum honored Marcinko with a post, saying: “Dick Marcinko played a very unique part in SEAL history, leaving a legacy like no other. ‘Demo Dick’ is considered the United States’ premier counterterrorism operator.”
The Museum is very saddened to learn of the passing of Richard "Dick" Marcinko. "Demo Dick" was a retired U.S. Navy SEAL...
Posted by The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum on Sunday, December 26, 2021
Marcinko was credited with leading a number of missions during the Vietnam War, including an assault in 1967 that killed many enemy troops and Viet Cong, and led to a bounty being placed on his head, UPI reported. Marcinko was never caught.
Commander Marcinko wrote a bestselling book that cemented the SEALS’ image as heroes and bad boys in pop culture, The New York Times reported.
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