Matthew Axelson

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Matthew G. Axelson
June 25, 1976 – June 28, 2005 (aged 29)
  
Matt Axelson in Afghanistan
Place of birth Cupertino, California
Place of death Kunar Province, Afghanistan
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Petty Officer 2nd Class
Unit United States Navy SEALs
Commands held United States Naval Special Warfare Command
Battles/wars Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Red Wing
Awards Navy Cross
Purple Heart

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 Wing.

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[edit] Early life

He was born on June 25th 1976 in Cupertino, CA to Donna and Cordell Axelson. He graduated from Monta Vista High School 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.

He was 6 foot, 4 inches tall, slim, quick, and a superb athlete. His friends knew him as a quiet person, highly intelligent, and highly professional. He was an expert mountain-climber. He also enjoyed playing Trivial Pursuit and was an outstanding golfer.

[edit] Military career

Axelson joined the United States Navy in 2000. He underwent Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 237 in Coronado, California. He was deployed to Afghanistan in the April of 2005.

[edit] Operation Red Wing

Main article: Operation Red Wing

On June 28, 2005, SEAL Team 10 was assigned to kill or capture a high ranking Taliban leader in the Hindu-Kush mountains. The SEAL team was made up of Michael P. Murphy, Marcus Luttrell, Danny Dietz and Matthew 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 the 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. Although Axelson understood that the SEALs would likely be charged with murder for their actions, he voted to execute them. He believed that to do so would not be murder, but was a military necessity for preserving the lives of the SEAL team.

After a vote, the team decided to let them go, rather than execute them. The goat herders betrayed the team's location to the local Taliban forces and the team ended up in a fire fight against a force of about 150 veteran Taliban fighters, led by the man they were sent to kill. Each SEAL team member fought doggedly, even after being wounded up to 5 times. Murphy, Axelson, and Dietz died in this battle, while Luttrell managed to survive his injuries and acute hardships with the help of some local Pashtun villagers. Axelson died from bullet wounds to the chest and head.

[edit] Military awards

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

[edit] References