What role did the Operational Swimmers of the OSS play during WWII?

The Operational Swimmers of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) played a critical role in performing covert underwater reconnaissance during World War II. This specialized group was tasked with gathering intelligence in enemy-held territories while remaining undetected. Their training equipped them with skills in underwater navigation and stealth tactics, allowing them to carry out missions such as scouting out landing sites, assessing enemy defenses, and collecting valuable data that was vital for planning military operations.

While they did conduct various activities that could have touched upon aspects of naval raids, hydrography, or destruction of enemy assets, the primary focus of their missions was on gathering information without engaging in direct confrontational roles. Their expertise in reconnaissance set the foundation for future naval special warfare tactics and paved the way for the development of similar units in the post-war era, specifically the Navy SEALs.