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Fort Pierce, Fla. – August 29, 2023 – The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to announce Commander (SEAL) Donald “Kim” Erskine, USN (Ret.) as the 38thAnnual Muster keynote speaker. Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Operation Urgent Fury, Muster 38 welcomes Commander Erskine, who will share his combat experience and insight as the OIC of a SEAL Element during this operation.
“Commander Erskine’s career speaks volumes about his leadership and character,” said Museum Assistant Executive Director, retired Navy SEAL Glenn Cooper. “We are grateful for his support of the Museum and this outreach honoring our country’s veterans. His story reflects Navy SEALs’ amazing ability to adjust tactics on the fly and the unwavering commitment to never quit.”
The 38th Annual Muster will take place November 3 and 4 on Museum grounds and at the Pepper Park field. Open to the public, the outdoor venue is free of charge with discounted admission into the Museum of $10 for guests 13 and over, $5 for children 6 to 12. Visitors five-years-old and under and Museum members are always complimentary. The Muster honors all veterans for their service to country. This year also commemorates the decommissioning of Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), following 40 years of foundational contributions to what has become today’s contemporary Navy SEAL Teams.
About Commander Erskine
Commander Erskine enlisted in the Navy in July 1969. Following boot camp, he completed Radioman A School before reporting to BUD/S Class 58 in May 1970. Following his graduation from BUD/S, he received orders to Underwater Demolition Team TWELVE (UDT-12). While at UDT-12, he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam. In January 1974, after his second tour in Vietnam, he became a plank owner in the first UDT/SEAL Reserve Unit, UDT/SEAL PAC (Pacific) 119. While attached to UDT/SEAL PAC 119, his full-time civilian job was with the Park City, UT Professional Ski Patrol. In his spare time, he attended classes at the University of Utah.
Following his graduation from the University of Utah in June 1979, he returned to active duty, attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Receiving his commission as an Ensign in December 1979, he received orders to UDT-11. While at UDT-11 he made two deployments to WESTPAC as a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Platoon Assistant Officer-in-Charge (AOIC) and SDV Platoon Officer-in-Charge (OIC). Returning to UDT-11 in May 1983, after his second SDV deployment, LT Erskine became a plank owner in SEAL Team FIVE when UDT-11 was decommissioned and became a SEAL Team. He reported for duty at SEAL Team SIX in June 1983 where he served as Gold Team Assault Element Leader, Red Team Assault Element Leader, Green Team Leader, Gold Team Leader and Operations Officer.
In June 1986, LT Erskine reported to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. Graduating in 1988 with a master’s degree in National Security Affairs, Middle East and North Africa Area Specialty, which included Arabic and French language training at the Defense Language Institute, he reported for staff duty to Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (COMNAVSPECWARCOM). Upon receipt of orders in May 1990, he reported for duty at Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart, Germany. At SOCEUR he deployed as a member of Joint and Combined Special Operations Task Forces in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. In May 1992, LCDR Erskine was selected to be the Executive Officer (XO) for SOCEUR’s Navy Special Operations Force (NAVSOF) component, Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO (NSWU-2), in Machrihanish, Scotland. In January 1994, CDR Erskine was selected to be the Commanding Officer (CO) of NSWU-2. As the Commanding Officer of NSWU-2, he led SOCEUR NAVSOF in the planning and execution of Joint Special Operations Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and a Non-Combatant Evacuation (NEO) mission to evacuate besieged U.S. Embassy personnel and third-country nationals caught up in the civil war in Liberia. His military decorations include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and multiple campaign and expeditionary medals.
CDR Erskine and his family retired to their farm in Maine in September 1996. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Mr. Erskine worked as contractor and Federal employee with the newly formed Department of Homeland Security until 2017. He currently works for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory where he supports NATO’s Energy Planning Group as an Energy Security and Civil-military Relations Expert. He also supports the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (DHS/CISA) National Risk Management Center (NRMC) as a Senior Infrastructure Resilience and Threat Analysis Specialist. Mr. Erskine and his wife, Dr. Leslie Henry, reside in Portland, ME.
About the Muster and Music Festival
Since 1985, the Navy SEAL Museum has opened its doors on Veteran’s Day to honor and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the U.S. Military. The Muster draws more than 10,000 guests each year, increasing visibility for the Museum’s mission, while helping to educate the public about the selfless warriors who preserve our freedom. Family-friendly and suitable for all ages, Muster is the perfect community outreach for the public to experience all the Museum has to offer with inspirational keynote speakers, live tactical demonstrations, and interaction with participating military personnel.
About The Navy SEAL Museum
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, the Museum resides on the training grounds of the original Navy combat swimmers, the Frogmen. Built to honor the men who served with fortitude and ingenuity, the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum first opened its doors on Veterans Day in 1985. From humble beginnings, the facility has experienced tremendous growth, achieving national stature in 2007. The main objective of the Museum remains the promotion of public education by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the Navy SEALs through interactive exhibits, while honoring the fallen at the SEAL Memorial and caring for those warriors’ families through the Trident House Charities Program. |
