Dietz and axelson are the fourth and fifth seals to be awarded the navy cross since 2001. An mh47 chinook helicopter was dispatched with a force consisting of seals and 160th special operations aviation regiment nightstalkers to rescue the team, but the helicopter was shot down by an rpg. In telling the story of that extraordinary fight, luttrell made legendary a cadre of brave warriors, including one special hero. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
On june 28th 2005, matt was a participant in the battle of abbas ghar or more commonly referred to as operation red wings. During his years in the navy, petty officer axelson was regularly deployed, and when he was away, he and his cindy kept in touch through phone calls and emails. The obituary was featured in mercury news on september, 2006, and legacy on march 3, 2011. Matt axelson was killed in action on the 28th of june, 2005, fighting to keep his teammates seal team 10alive. Luttrell, who wrote the book lone survivor about what happened in afghanistan, told the audience at the army and navy club that one of his teammates, petty officer 2nd class matthew g. For extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a fourman special reconnaissance element with seal delivery vehicle team one, naval special warfare task unit, afghanistan from 27 to 28 june 2005.
The description marcus gives of shane patton as a surfer dude turned seal warrior was very informative and gave a. He is buried in glen oaks memorial park in chico, california. Navy sonar technician surface 2nd class seal matthew g. Photo of matt axelson courtesy of his mother, donna. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most. Matthew axelson tribute knives the axe hammer sofrep. Matt axelson was shot in the head and in the chest but he continued to fight with marcus luttrell. In lone survivor we get a picture of a unit of men who are all varied and different in ages shane patton was in his early 20s, while marcus, matt axelson and mike murphy were in there late 20s and danny dietz was in his early 30s.
The full description of this action is described in the book, lone survivor, written by hm1 luttrell and later depicted in the 20 film of the same name. See more ideas about operation red wings, navy seals and lone survivor. Book tells story of matthew axelsons last desperate. He was posthumously awarded the navy cross for his actions during operation red wings.
Luttrell was a so1 by the end of his eightyear career in the united states navy. Men from all branches of service will be featured but most likely matt axelson know from the book lone. This is a tribute to matt and cindys love for each other. Matthew axelson deployed to afghanistan in april 2005 as part of a fourman seal reconnaissance team to support naval special warfare s fight in the global war on terror. Danny dietz, matthew axelson, and marcus were awarded the navy cross. The body of a us navy seal commando has been located in eastern afghanistan, bringing to an end an illfated mission that has cost the lives of 19 special forces troops. The seals including team leader michael murphy taylor kitsch, matthew axe axelson ben foster and danny dietz emile hirsch. In the nbc interview and in the book, luttrell describes a discussion by the four seals and then a vote to let the herders go. A brothers search for an american warrior, navy seal matthew axelson on. Navy seal matthew axelson was just 29 when he was killed in afghanistan in the aftermath of the harrowing mountaintop battle captured in lone survivor. Coalition forces located his remains while conducting a combat.
A brothers search for an american warrior, navy seal. Axelson s late son matthew s illfated specialops mission in the mountains of afghanistan is depicted in excruciating detail in the movie, which is based on navy seal. Hornfischer is the author of the new york times bestseller. The foundation seeks to provide academic scholarships and financial opportunities to deserving members of the armed services, in honor of matt. Dietz, 25, and sonar technician second class matthew g. In june of that year, his team seal team 10 was assigned to capture or kill a. Lone survivor director peter berg used autopsy reports. Michael murphy, gunners mate 2nd class danny dietz and sonar technician 2nd class matthew axelson were the four seals on a recon mission scouting for a prominent terrorist that day. Marcus luttrell became a combattrained navy seal in 2002 and served in many dangerous special operations assignments around the world. Joseph smith, ive read every nonfiction navy seal book published by seals. Matt axelson was buried at the glen oaks memorial park in chico, california. Killed were murphy, 29, petty officer 2nd class danny p. It was a tragic day for the united states navy, for the seal community, for the night stalkers and the army, for all the united states as men of iron. An rpg separated the two and caused injuries to both navy seals.
A brothers search for an american warrior, navy seal matthew axelson. The seal saved by their actions, who is still on active duty and has not been identified by the navy, received the award in july in a private ceremony, according to the navy. Navy seals body found after failed afghan mission world. This custom sig sauer mk25 axelson tactical is an awesome handgun. It was made to commemorate the navy seal matt axelson who was in operation red wings, the mission lone survivor was written off. The illfated mission that saw the life of matthew axelson come to an unfortunate but heroic end and also claimed the lives of eleven other seals and eight night stalkers. He is the author of the new york times bestseller lone survivor and is a popular corporate and organizational speaker. An uncut and candid interview between daniel shaw and jeff axelson, who lost his brother matt in operation red wing as told in the book and movie, lone survivor. He was posthumously awarded the navy cross for his actions during operation red wings, in which he was killed. This route is dedicated to us navy sonar technician 2 nd class matthew gene axe axelson, us navy seals, seal delivery vehicle team 1 sdvt1 matt axelson was born on june 25, 1976 in cupertino, california to parents donna and cordell axelson.
Former navy seal says he misspoke on details of afghan. A recently released bestselling book lone survivor, tells the story of the last desperate battle of matt axelson, a navy seal and chico. Navy seal matthew axelson to be honored by congressman. Sep 25, 2015 matthew gene axe axelson june 25, 1976 june 28, 2005 was a united states navy seal who was killed in the war in afghanistan. Matt was scheduled to leave the navy in october 2005.
A navy seal from cupertino killed last june in the deadliest attack on americans during the afghan occupation will be posthumously awarded the services second highest medal. Murphy seal danny dietz who was a part of the original seal team ambushed. Matthew gene axe axelson june 25, 1976 june 28, 2005 was a united states navy seal who was killed in the war in afghanistan. Marcus luttrell born november 7, 1975 is a former united states navy seal who received the navy cross and purple heart for his actions in june 2005 against taliban fighters during operation red wings. Matthew axelson passed away in cupertino, california. Matthew gene axelson 19762005 find a grave memorial. Axelson was born on june 25, 1976 in cupertino, california to donna and cordell axelson.
Mathew axelson served with marcus luttrell on that fateful mission which is told in the book. Only one navy seal would live on that day hospital corpsman 2nd class marcus luttrell. Mathew axelsons deeds in that mission were also heroic and he deserves praise for giving his life for the seal team and his country. Petition matt axelson to be awarded the medal of honor. How is it possible that a navy seal can survive a shot to.
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