Matthew Axelson
Encyclopedia
Sonar Technician
2nd Class Matthew Gene Axelson (June 25, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL
and Navy Cross
recipient for his actions during Operation Red Wings.
in 1994 and attended California State University-Chico, where he earned a degree in political science. He and his wife Cindy were married in December, 2003.
in 2000 rated as a Sonar Technician. He underwent Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 237 in Coronado, California
. He was deployed to Afghanistan
in April 2005.
, a high ranking Taliban leader in the Hindu-Kush mountains. The SEAL team was composed of Michael P. Murphy
, Marcus Luttrell
, Danny Dietz
and Axelson. Luttrell and Axelson were the team's snipers while Dietz and Murphy were the spotters.
In the Hindu-Kush mountains, three goat herders stumbled upon one of the SEALs hiding face down against a log. The SEAL team captured the goat herders and voted to determine what to do with them. The team decided to let them go rather than execute them. Soon after, the herders alerted dozens of nearby insurgents, who then surrounded and attacked the SEAL team. The SEALs engaged in a fire fight against a force of about 80-100 Taliban fighters, led by the man they were sent to kill.
During the fire fight, Axelson was shot in the chest and head but continued to fight alongside Luttrell until a blast from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) separated them. Along with injuries sustained from the blast, Axelson died of bullet wounds to the chest and head. When US Navy personnel arrived to retrieve his body for burial, they found that it was a few hundred yards away from the RPG blast location. Axelson was reported by Luttrell to have had three magazines remaining when the blast took place, however, when his body was found, he had only one magazine remaining, which indicates that Axelson continued to fight even after the blast.
Along with Axelson, Murphy and Dietz also died during the fight. Luttrell managed to survive his injuries and acute hardships with help from local Pashtun
villagers.
Sonar Technician
Sonar Technician is a United States Navy occupational rating.ST's are responsible for underwater surveillance. They assist in safe navigation and aid in search, rescue and attack operations. They operate and repair sonar equipment...
2nd Class Matthew Gene Axelson (June 25, 1976 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
and Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
recipient for his actions during Operation Red Wings.
Early life
Axelson was born on June 25, 1976 in Cupertino, CA to Donna and Cordell Axelson. He graduated from Monta Vista High SchoolMonta Vista High School
Monta Vista High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in the Silicon Valley city of Cupertino, California, USA. Part of the Fremont Union High School District, the school serves most of the suburban residential and industrial technology enriched area of western Cupertino...
in 1994 and attended California State University-Chico, where he earned a degree in political science. He and his wife Cindy were married in December, 2003.
Military career
Axelson joined the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 2000 rated as a Sonar Technician. He underwent Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 237 in Coronado, California
Coronado, California
Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, 5.2 miles from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive...
. He was deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in April 2005.
Operation Red Wing
On June 28, 2005, SEAL Team 10 was assigned to kill or capture Ahmad ShahAhmad Shah (Taliban)
Ahmad Shah was a high-ranking Taliban leader who commanded a group of insurgents known as the "Mountain Tigers", operating in eastern Afghanistan and the Hindu-Kush mountains....
, a high ranking Taliban leader in the Hindu-Kush mountains. The SEAL team was composed of Michael P. Murphy
Michael P. Murphy
Michael Patrick Murphy was a United States Navy SEAL posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in 2005 during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first person to be awarded the medal for actions in Afghanistan; and the first member of...
, Marcus Luttrell
Marcus Luttrell
Marcus Luttrell is a former Petty Officer First Class and United States Navy SEAL. He received the Navy Cross for his actions in 2005 facing Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wing.-Early life:...
, Danny Dietz
Danny Dietz
Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Danny Phillip Dietz Jr. of Littleton, Colorado was a U.S. Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the United States' 2nd highest citation for valor, the Navy Cross, on 13 September 2006.-Biography:...
and Axelson. Luttrell and Axelson were the team's snipers while Dietz and Murphy were the spotters.
In the Hindu-Kush mountains, three goat herders stumbled upon one of the SEALs hiding face down against a log. The SEAL team captured the goat herders and voted to determine what to do with them. The team decided to let them go rather than execute them. Soon after, the herders alerted dozens of nearby insurgents, who then surrounded and attacked the SEAL team. The SEALs engaged in a fire fight against a force of about 80-100 Taliban fighters, led by the man they were sent to kill.
During the fire fight, Axelson was shot in the chest and head but continued to fight alongside Luttrell until a blast from a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) separated them. Along with injuries sustained from the blast, Axelson died of bullet wounds to the chest and head. When US Navy personnel arrived to retrieve his body for burial, they found that it was a few hundred yards away from the RPG blast location. Axelson was reported by Luttrell to have had three magazines remaining when the blast took place, however, when his body was found, he had only one magazine remaining, which indicates that Axelson continued to fight even after the blast.
Along with Axelson, Murphy and Dietz also died during the fight. Luttrell managed to survive his injuries and acute hardships with help from local Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
villagers.
Awards and decorations
Special Warfare BadgeSpecial Warfare BadgeThe Special Warfare insignia, also known as the “SEAL Trident” or its more popular nickname, "The Budweiser," is one of the most recognizable military badges of the United States Navy.-History:...
Army Parachutist BadgeParachutist Badge (United States)The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy...
Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Good Conduct MedalGood Conduct MedalThe Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...