SAN DIEGO – 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 Nhà Bè.
Radarman 2nd Class Billy Wayne Machen, a 27-year-old SEAL from Dallas, Texas, and a member of SEAL Team ONE, sacrificed 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.
