This Famous Actor's Secret WWII Program Became a Precursor to the Navy SEALs

[Tony]

During the early portion of actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s military service during World War II, he yearned to do more. British Adm. Lord Louis Mountbatten, a longtime family friend, gave him that opportunity.

As leader of Combined Operations overseeing Britain’s commando warfare, Mountbatten headed an officer exchange program where they learned about explosives, deceptive tactics and the art of misdirection. Originally commissioned a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Fairbanks was invited to participate and became enthralled.