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WWII Hero - Last of the Original Navy SEALs - to be Honored at BattleFrog Tri-State June 20th
90-Year-Old Bill Dawson to Join BattleFrog Navy SEALs for Tri-State Obstacle Course Race Event
Leaders of the BattleFrog obstacle course race series founded by former Navy SEALs say Bill Dawson – the 90 year-old WWII hero and last surviving member of the first class of Navy SEALs – will be a featured guest when he joins the thousands attending the BattleFrog Navy SEALs event to be held soon in New Jersey.
Dawson was just 17 when he volunteered to join the Navy in 1943. Dawson, along with a little more than 40 men, would be among the first class of underwater demolition teams, a secret program overseen by Cmdr. Draper Kaufmann, who was considered an expert in the field of underwater demolition. The pioneering teams were called “frogmen.” Now they’re called Navy SEALS. Dawson, a resident of the Washington, D.C. area, is the only member of that class still alive today.
BattleFrog Tri-State, the event at which Dawson will be honored, will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 230 Pension Rd., Englishtown, New Jersey. Dawson will meet fans of the Navy SEALs, display photographs he took during his service, show rare examples of Japanese propaganda and manuals.
Retired Navy SEAL Commander and noted Naval Special Warfare historian Tom Hawkins of Virginia will join Dawson at the event. Dawson will sign copies of his book “Before They Were SEALs They Were Frogs” and Hawkins will sign copies of his book “America’s Hidden Heroes: The History and Evolution of U.S. Navy Frogmen and SEALs.”
Activities begin at 7:30 a.m. and will feature heats for all participants and age levels, as well as an entire family-friendly experience that includes interacting with Navy SEALs, enjoying multiple attractions within the festival compound, and watching racers tackle BattleFrog’s obstacles.
“BattleFrog was created as a tribute to our nation’s military and to help people learn about the work Navy SEALs do in protecting our great nation,” said Michael Donnelly, a former Navy SEAL and a co-founder of BattleFrog. “Our events are unique because actual Navy SEALs are guiding and mentoring the racers who are learning how to push themselves beyond their personal physical limits.”
“We are thrilled to be able to honor this Navy SEALs legend and have him join us for what promises to be an exciting event,” Donnelly said.
BattleFrog transforms every race venue into a demanding obstacle course designed to test the strength, skill, and determination of any athlete. Participants are able to choose between the BattleFrog 8K with more than 25 obstacles and the BullFrog Mile and TadPole Dash 400M courses for children, all of which are inspired by BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) Training, the six-month long qualification course that all SEALs must undergo. Elite athletes may compete in the 16K, double-lap format 8K. Racers can also participate in the BattleFrog Xtreme that enables them to run the 8K as many times as they choose in one day.
BattleFrog Tri-State will also feature the formal introduction of Team BattleFrog, the group’s new pro team that will be led by the top OCR athletes in North America. Racing standouts Ryan Atkins of Canada, Corinna Coffin of Virginia and Claude Godbout of Canada, have all been named as members of the new Team BattleFrog. Atkins and Coffin serve as captains of the male and female teams, respectively.
BattleFrog founders have announced that a percentage of the profits generated from the series will be shared evenly with the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Navy SEAL Museum & Memorial. This direct support honors the fallen, promotes the SEAL legacy and supports the families of those who served.
The 2015 BattleFrog race series is sponsored in part by Kill Cliff, makers of the premium recovery drink, NutriForce Sports and RockTape.
For more information or to register visit www.BattleFrogSeries.com.
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About BattleFrog LLC
Founded by former U.S. Navy SEALs, BattleFrog is an intense new obstacle course race for all ages inspired by the challenges Navy SEALs face every day in training. Adventure and excitement wait around every corner on a demanding course that will test your limits and force you to push beyond. Designed with input from Navy SEALs, BattleFrog events are meant to create an unforgettable experience for all participants. A percentage of race series profits will benefit several Navy SEAL nonprofit organizations including the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Navy SEAL Museum & Memorial. For more information visit www.BattleFrogSeries.com or follow @BattleFrogUS on Twitter.
