The Painted Frog

The Painted Frog is the remarkable legacy memoir of Pete "The Pirate" Carolan—Navy Frogman, Apollo 13 Capsule recovery team, combat artist, Vietnam veteran, and founder of the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation. Through his extraordinary life, readers are taken inside the origins of America's elite maritime warriors, tracing the evolution of the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) into today's legendary U.S. Navy SEALs.

More than a military memoir, The Painted Frog preserves the untold history of the Frogmen through firsthand accounts, rare photographs, and personal reflections from members of BUD/S Classes 47, 49, and 50. The book reveals Pete Carolan's influence on Naval Special Warfare—including stories surrounding the artwork that inspired elements of the iconic Navy SEAL Trident—and his service during the Vietnam War, the Apollo 13 recovery mission aboard Helicopter 66, and the creation of Freddy the Frog, now permanently preserved with Helo 66 at the USS Midway Museum.

With a foreword by Commander Skip Crane, USN (Ret.), opening reflections by Captain Tom Murphy, USN (Ret.), and written by award-winning ghostwriter and publisher Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray, this powerful tribute brings together the voices of Navy SEALs, Frogmen, military leaders, and lifelong friends who knew Pete best.

The book also celebrates the ongoing work of the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to preserve the legacy of the Navy Frogmen while supporting Navy SEALs, veterans, first responders, and their families through equine and K9-assisted programs for those living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related conditions. It further honors the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, where Pete Carolan's artwork and the history of Naval Special Warfare continue to inspire future generations.

For readers of military history, leadership, resilience, and the brotherhood of those who serve, The Painted Frog is both a historical record and a lasting tribute to the quiet professionals who changed history from beneath the surface.

Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray is an award-winning military heritage author, ghostwriter, publisher, and founder of Golden Ray Publishing, where she specializes in preserving the legacies of military veterans, public figures, and thought leaders through professionally published books. She is the author and ghostwriter of MOY BELL: The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday, the legacy story honoring SEAL Team ONE and the extraordinary service of Terry "Mother" Moy, Jesse Ventura, Michael E. Thornton, Mike Gotchey, Tim Keeney, and Kevin Stacom. The book has been recognized as a top new release across major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, Apple Books, and Kindle, and is featured at U.S. Navy SEAL museums in California and Florida.Her latest work, The Painted Frog, is the authorized legacy biography of legendary U.S. Navy UDT-13 Frogman, Navy SEAL, Apollo 13 Recovery Team member, and internationally acclaimed military artist Pete "The Pirate" Carolan. Commissioned by the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation, the book preserves Carolan's remarkable life of service, sacrifice, and artistic legacy. It features a foreword by Commander (Ret.) Skip Crane, opening reflections by Tom Murphy, and supports the Foundation's ongoing mission programs for veterans and their families.With more than 15 years of experience in publishing, media production, and author development, Dr. Ray has helped entrepreneurs, veterans, physicians, podcasters, and business leaders transform their stories into professionally published books that establish credibility, expand their audiences, and create lasting impact. Her background includes live event production, red-carpet interviews, broadcast media, author branding, and strategic publishing campaigns designed to position clients as recognized experts in their fields.Through Golden Ray Publishing, Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray guides authors from concept to publication, helping them leverage books as powerful tools for thought leadership, speaking opportunities, media exposure, and long-term legacy. Her mission is simple: preserve remarkable stories, amplify meaningful voices, and create books that inspire future generations.

Pete J. Carolan, aka Pete "The Pirate" Carolan, was a U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT-13) Frogman, Vietnam veteran, and internationally recognized military artist whose life embodied courage, patriotism, and service. As a member of the elite Navy recovery team for the historic Apollo 13 mission in 1970, he was selected as the swim team leader responsible for the safe recovery of the astronauts after splashdown in the South Pacific. During that mission, Carolan famously painted "Freddy the Frog" on the recovery helicopter, a symbol that has since become an enduring icon of Naval Special Warfare heritage.Following his military service, Carolan built an extraordinary career as an artist, creating paintings, murals, and sculptures that preserve the history, sacrifice, and traditions of America's military. His work is displayed in the USS Midway Museum, the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, the Pentagon, the White House, and numerous military institutions and private collections throughout the United States. His artwork has become an enduring visual tribute to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for the nation.Pete Carolan passed away in 2022, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service, art, and patriotism. His authorized biography, The Painted Frog, preserves his extraordinary journey through the voices and memories of his family, teammates, and lifelong friends. Written by Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray, with a Foreword by Commander (Ret.) Skip Crane and Opening Reflections by Captain (Ret.) Tom Murphy, the book celebrates Carolan's lasting impact on Naval Special Warfare history, the U.S. Navy Frogmen, and American military art.Proceeds from The Painted Frog support the ongoing mission of the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation, helping preserve the legacy of America's Navy Frogmen while supporting therapeutic equine retreats for Navy SEALs and K9 training programs for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD, TBI, and related conditions.