When U.S. President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama Bin Laden on May 2, 2011 he had Navy Seal Team Six to thank.

The Viet Nam veteran, who made his mark on the U.S. military as the founding commander of Seal Team Six has died.

Richard Marcinko led the group for its first three years of existence and was awarded more than 30 medals and citations during his career.

His larger-than-life personality and his best selling autobiography “Rogue Warrior,” helped to cement Seal Team Six’s place in military folklore and popular culture.

Richard Marchenko was 81.