In early 1942, Marine Colonel James “Bulldog” Barringer was ordered by the joint Pacific War commanders, Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur, to form a unit ready and willing to take the war to the Japanese. After carefully selecting 12 men from the Marine Corps and Navy, Barringer’s new unit was given the designation “1st Special Naval Force” and began training for commando-style missions in the swamps and beaches of the Florida Keys. The training was intense with the men getting little sleep while eating and sleeping in conditions that would make most men cringe. Barringer’s 1st Special Naval Force was not for the weak- both physically and mentally.

After 6 months of intensive training, the 1st Special Naval Force was shipped out to Hawaii where the continued their training. Upon seeing these men, Admiral Nimitz commented that Barringer’s men looked more like “ragged bums” than soldiers but their fighting ability would surely “scare the hell” out of the Japanese! The “take-no-prisoners, no holds barred” attitude reminded Admiral Nimitz of Army Major Maxwell’s commando group operating in Europe and North Africa. Nimitz turned to Barringer and said “Well, I guess Ike has his Deadly Dozen misfits and we have ours.”

Barringer turned to Nimitz and replied “My men are the real deal when it comes to jungle fighting. They are at home in the sweltering rainforest, on the sun-baked coral beach or stinking mangrove swamp. Like the tiger, shark or crocodile, they are the top predator in these environments. They are cold as steel and strike without warning. These men are war-fighters, Admiral, and they will strike fear into the heart of the enemy. Maxwell may have a good collection of characters- but I’d take my “Deadly Dozen” over his any day of the week when it comes to making war.”