Was Sterling Hayden a Navy SEAL?

Sterling Hayden received a Silver Star for his service as a marine in the OSS Maritime Unite, the predecessor to the US Navy SEALs, who died in 1986.

Hayden joined the United States Marine Corps as a private, under the name John Hamilton, an alias he never used otherwise. While at Paris Island, he was recommended for Officer Candidate School.

As OSS agent John Hamilton, his World War II service included sailing with supplies from Italy to Yugoslav partisans and parachuting into fascist Croatia.

Hayden also participated in the Naples-Foggia campaign and established aircrew rescue teams in enemy-occupied territory, became the first lieutenant on September 13, 1944, and a captain on February 14, 1945.