The Painted Frog

Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray

Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray is an award-winning military heritage author, ghostwriter, publisher, and founder of Golden Ray Publishing. She specializes in preserving the legacies of military veterans, public figures, and thought leaders through professionally published books.

Notable Works:

• MOY BELL: The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: This legacy story honors 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 and is featured at U.S. Navy SEAL museums in California and Florida.
• The Painted Frog: 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 and opening reflections by Tom Murphy, and supports the Foundation’s ongoing mission programs for veterans and their families.

Publishing Expertise:

With over 15 years of experience in publishing, media production, and author development, Dr. Ray has helped a diverse range of individuals transform their stories into impactful books. Her expertise includes:

• Guiding authors from concept to publication.
• Leveraging books for thought leadership, speaking opportunities, and media exposure.
• Author branding and strategic publishing campaigns.
• Live event production, red-carpet interviews, and broadcast media.

Mission:

Through Golden Ray Publishing, Dr. Ray’s mission is to preserve remarkable stories, amplify meaningful voices, and create books that inspire future generations.

Pete J. Carolan (aka Pete “The Pirate” Carolan)

Pete J. Carolan was a U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT-13) Frogman, Vietnam veteran, and internationally recognized military artist. His life embodied courage, patriotism, and service.

Notable Contributions:

• Apollo 13 Recovery Team: As a member of the elite Navy recovery team in 1970, he served as the swim team leader responsible for the safe recovery of the astronauts after splashdown in the South Pacific.
• “Freddy the Frog” Symbol: During the Apollo 13 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.
• Artistic Legacy: 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 prominent institutions including the USS Midway Museum, the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, the Pentagon, and the White House.

Legacy and Commemoration:

Pete Carolan passed away in 2022, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. His authorized biography, The Painted Frog, written by Dr. (h.c.) Lisa Ray, preserves his journey through the voices of his family, teammates, and friends.

Support for the Patriot SEAL Heritage Foundation: Proceeds from The Painted Frog support the Foundation’s mission to preserve the legacy of America’s Navy Frogmen and provide therapeutic programs for veterans.

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