Never Forget Their Sacrifice~4th Anniversary~The Lost Members of Operation Redwing~JUNE 28, 2005
Please click on the Lt Michael P. Murphy tag for all the tributes posted here-LIG
Lt Michael P. Murphy USN SEAL 5/7/76-6/28/05 Never Forgotten
Posted on Memorial Day 2008 By Ryan at http://fitquestblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/memorial-day.html :
On June 28, 2005, Lt Murphy was leading a 4-man SEAL team in Afghanistan hunting a top Taliban leader. The team was comprised of Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz, Matthew Alexson, and Marcus Luttrell. A group of sheepherders saw them and alerted the Taliban to the SEAL presence. Unbeknownst to the four SEALs, about 40 Taliban surrounded the SEAL team isolating them on the face of a mountain. An intense firefight ensued, and the SEALs valiantly fought back. Lt Murphy attempted to radio for reinforcements, but the rugged terrain made radio transmissions impossible. With reckless disregard for his own safety, Lt Murphy exposed himself to enemy fire and moved into the open so that he could radio in for reinforcements. At one point, he was shot in the back and dropped the radio transmitter. Despite being mortally wounded, he picked up the transmitter and finished calling in the attack. He even said "Thank you" at the end of the call and hung up the receiver. He then rejoined his SEAL team behind cover.
A helicopter, equipped with 16 Special Forces personnel responded to the location (8 of which were Navy SEALs), but was shot down by an RPG. There were no survivors on board. For the next two hours, the four SEALs continued to fight over rugged terrain as they attempted to flee to safety. Lt Murphy succumbed to his wounds. Two other SEALs Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson, were also cut down. SEAL Marcus Luttrell was blown back by an RPG, and knocked unconscious. Despite his severe wounds, Luttrell evaded the Taliban for a day and eventually was rescued by locals. He was rescued on July 2, 2005 by US Special Forces. You can read his story in his book, Lone Survivor.
The SEALs didn't go quiet into that dark night. Rear Admiral Joseph Maguire, Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, told Murphy’s father, “Don’t think these men went down easily…Taliban bodies were strewn all over, 30-40 were killed, with a total of 80 casualties from the four- man team."
Lt Murphy was buried on July 13, 2005 in Long Island. He received the Medal of Honor on October 22, 2007. You can read more about him, his life, and his death at his official (Navy-made/mantained) Medal of Honor site and this special report.
I mention him today, not just because we are going to do the famous "Murph" workout. Rather, I mention him because today as I read the headlines on CNN, I noticed that a journalist had (rather appropriately) written an article on Michael Murphy and his family this Memorial Day. The article discusses today's war heroes. It observes that we as a nation simply don't treat our war heroes as we should. It used to be that sort of courage would be immortalized in people's minds, and recreated on the silver screen (i.e. Sgt York), but now, perhaps of the politics of this war, we seem to gloss over many of these war heroes. This is a tragedy, because these men are the real heroes. The Bible says that there is no greater love then someone who lays down his life for his friends. Men like Lt Murphy die for their country - yes, but many died for their friends. Lt Murphy died to save his SEAL team. Luttrell lived because of Lt Murphy's actions. In a country where heroes do shockingly little good and possesses little more than dashing good looks, lots of money, and a lot of movie/endorsement deals - it would do us good to pay attention and hold in highest honor men like Lt Murphy.
I don't want to neglect to mention the other SEALs with Lt Murphy that day.
Danny Dietz was one of the spotters on the original SEAL team. He died at the age of 25. According to accounts of the story, he refused to back down and continued fighting despite being dragged away by one of the other team members. Dietz suffered 16 gunshot wounds and eventually died from him injuries.
Danny left behind his wife (Maria), whom he had been married to for about 2 years. Today, a memorial stands in his hometown of Littleton, CO. He received the Navy Cross, the second highest award in the military. His father says he couldn't be prouder.
Matt Axelson was one of the snipers on that SEAL team. He died at the age of 29 from numerous gunshot wounds to the body and head.
Matt left behind his wife (Cindy) of nearly two years. He also received the Navy Cross. His family has put together an extremely moving website dedicated to his life and heroism.Marcus Luttrell was the miraculous lone survivor of the group. Today he is retired from the Navy, and has written book about his experience called Lone Survivor. This article documents his story - check out the video below as well... this is a true warrior.
Take today to remember Lt Murphy, the SEALs with him, and many like them. Over the past several hundred years, thousands and thousands of men and women have given up their lives for this country. Many don't have the medal and ribbon of Lt Murphy, but all are nevertheless heroic. Tonight, maybe instead of reading your kids a feel-good bedtime story, tell them a story of a true hero - a true hero like Lt Michael Murphy, Danny Dietz, Matt Axelson, Marcus Luttrell, and the heroes on that helicopter.
Nightstalkers:
- Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 29, of Danville, Ohio
- Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 35, of Clarks Grove, Minnesota.
- Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 21, of Pompano Beach, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 33, of Shelbyville, Indiana
- Master Sgt. James W. Ponder III, 36, of Franklin, Tennessee
- Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 34, of Washington Depot, Connecticut.
- Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 31, of Stafford, Virginia
- Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 40, of Jacksonville, Florida
SEALs:
- Chief Petty Officer Jacques J. Fontan, 36, of New Orleans, Louisiana
- Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, 36, of Exeter, New Hampshire
- Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen, 33, of San Diego, California
- Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery A. Lucas, 33, of Corbett, Oregon
- Lt. Michael M. McGreevy, Jr., 30, of Portville, New York
- Petty Officer 2nd Class James E. Suh, 28, of Deerfield Beach, Florida
- Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey S. Taylor, 30, of Midway, West Virginia
- Petty Officer Second Class Eric Shane Patton, 22, of Boulder City, Nevada
Remembering Special Heroes on Anniversary of Rescue~read news article here
by Daniel Bell | St. Louis ~Former Special Operations Medic, 160th S.O.A.R. (A)
Three years ago, I woke up to a phone call that would change my perspective on life, forming my understanding of the true meaning of sacrifice for one's nation. The day was June 28, 2005, and I was living on the flight line of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. SEAL Team 10 had just put a team of four into the mountains of the Kunar province the day before, uncertain of exact enemy strength. They had come in contact with enemy fire and needed quick extraction.
My senior medic, SFC Marcus Muralles, arrived to the flight line shortly after the phone call to prepare for the rescue mission, from which he would never return. As we loaded the vehicle with the life-saving equipment, we discussed preparing for our return back to the United States after he went to pick the boys up. Neither of us suspected that a simple rescue mission would end in tragedy.
Crossing the access road to the aircraft, Turbine 33, we passed the air mission commander, who inquired as to the location of the pilots and crews. They had not yet arrived, leaving Sgt. Muralles and me to open up the MH-47 Chinook in preparation for another combat mission.
As we loaded our equipment on the plane, the air crew began to arrive, setting up in preparation for unknown mission requirements. I finished loading Sgt. Muralles and the equipment, gave him some cold water and assured him that things would be ready to out-process Afghanistan upon his return. Stepping off the aircraft, I waved what would be a final farewell to the 16 men of our task force and SEAL Team 10.
Within an hour, we were in a rescue mission for not only the four SEALs on the ground, but also Turbine 33. Ultimately, we lost 19 Special Operations service men that day, leaving a lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell, who would endure a survival scenario that has captured America's attention.
Operation Red Wing will be remembered for the tragedy that became the initial and rescue missions; however, I will remember the warriors for who they were and the mission they believed in. As the last line of the Night Stalker creed states, "I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me, for they loved to fight, fought to win, and would rather die than quit."
Let us remember the service men's sacrifice and belief in the mission on the third anniversary of Operation Red Wing.
Daniel Bell | St. Louis
Former Special Operations Medic, 160th S.O.A.R. (A)
