The Painted Frog

The Painted Frog is the remarkable legacy memoir of Pete "The Pirate" Carolan-Navy Frogman, Apollo 13 Capsule recovery team, combat artist, Vietnam veteran, and founder of the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation. Through his extraordinary life, readers are taken inside the origins of America's elite maritime warriors, tracing the evolution of the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) into today's legendary U.S. Navy SEALs.

More than a military memoir, The Painted Frog preserves the untold history of the Frogmen through firsthand accounts, rare photographs, and personal reflections from members of BUD/S Classes 47, 49, and 50. The book reveals Pete Carolan's influence on Naval Special Warfare-including stories surrounding the artwork that inspired elements of the iconic Navy SEAL Trident-and his service during the Vietnam War, the Apollo 13 recovery mission aboard Helicopter 66, and the creation of Freddy the Frog, now permanently preserved with Helo 66 at the USS Midway Museum.

With a foreword by Commander Skip Crane, USN (Ret.), opening reflections by Captain Tom Murphy, USN (Ret.), and written by award-winning ghostwriter and publisher Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray, this powerful tribute brings together the voices of Navy SEALs, Frogmen, military leaders, and lifelong friends who knew Pete best.

The book also celebrates the ongoing work of the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to preserve the legacy of the Navy Frogmen while supporting Navy SEALs, veterans, first responders, and their families through equine and K9-assisted programs for those living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related conditions. It further honors the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, where Pete Carolan's artwork and the history of Naval Special Warfare continue to inspire future generations.

For readers of military history, leadership, resilience, and the brotherhood of those who serve, The Painted Frog is both a historical record and a lasting tribute to the quiet professionals who changed history from beneath the surface.