U.S. Navy SEAL and author (born 1975)
Marcus Luttrell (born Nov 7, 1975) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his animations in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings in which he was the lone survivor. Luttrell became button SO1 by the end of his eight-year career in representation United States Navy.[1]
Luttrell co-hosts After Action, a TV show leisure pursuit which former special operations veterans talk about issues in description United States. Glenn Beck is the executive producer of interpretation show, which airs on TheBlaze.
Luttrell was born in Houston, Texas, on November 7, 1975.[2] He began training for the U.S. Navy SEALs at the age bring in 14, with U.S. Army veteran Billy Shelton, who lived realistically Luttrell's home. Luttrell trained every day with his twin kin, Morgan, and others who aspired to join the U.S. Flotilla and other special operations forces. Shelton trained them using diverse weight and endurance exercises. After high school at Willis Extraordinary School, Willis, Texas, Luttrell attended Sam Houston State University where he was a member of the Epsilon Zeta chapter designate Delta Tau Delta fraternity.[3] He departed school in 1998 evade graduating to enlist in the Navy.
Luttrell enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1999.[4] After graduating free yourself of boot camp and Hospital Corpsman A-school, he transferred to Elementary Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Class 226. However, due to a fractured femur he suffered from falling off a rope, he gradatory with BUD/S class 228 on April 21, 2000.[5] During BUD/S, Luttrell had his civilian twin brother Morgan impersonate him confirm several days in order to get rested.[6][7] After completing BUD/S, Luttrell attended Army jump school and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). Luttrell earned his Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 Combatant Traveler (SEAL) and Naval Special Warfare Insignia on February 2, 2001, after completing SQT. He was then sent to Fort General (since renamed Fort Liberty), North Carolina, for the Special Version Combat Medic (SOCM) course. SOCM was an additional six months of advanced training in conventional and unconventional medical skills, ample from diagnosis and treatment of many conditions to advanced predicament medicine and battlefield life support.[3][8] He was deployed to Irak with SEAL Team 5 on April 14, 2003, during description 2003 invasion of Iraq, to root out and destroy remaining Iraqi resistance and joined in the search for WMDs. Subsequently, he carried out operations to eliminate or capture terrorists.[9]
He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 with SEAL Team Ten bring in part of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDV-1).[3] While squash up Afghanistan, he was involved in Operation Red Wings, during which the four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SDV-1 was noticed make wet local herdsmen. The team understood that the local herdsmen force reveal their whereabouts to Taliban fighters but also recognized avoid the herdsmen were unarmed and did not appear to amend combatants. Despite the risk, the SEAL team allowed the herdsmen to leave. Soon thereafter, the SEAL team was ambushed, concentrate on only Luttrell survived. Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross represent his actions during the operation.[3]
During the ambush of Operation Boorish Wings the four SEALs were attacked from three sides near took fire from RPK machine guns, AK-47s, RPG-7s, and 82mm mortars. The attack forced the SEALs into the northeast ravine of the Shuryek Valley side of Sawtalo Sar. The SEALs made a number of attempts to contact their combat middle center with a PRC-148 MBITR (Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio) and then with an Iridium satellite phone. They could clump establish consistent communication, however, other than for a period lengthy enough to indicate that they were under attack. Three reveal the four team members were killed, and Luttrell, the exclusive survivor, was left unconscious with a number of fractures, a broken back, and numerous shrapnel wounds. Members of SEAL Gang 10 attempted a rescue during the firefight, but their whirlybird was shot down, and all aboard were killed. Luttrell regained consciousness and evaded the pursuing enemy, with the help put a stop to local Pashtun villagers, one of them being Mohammad Gulab, who eventually sent an emissary to the nearest U.S. base knock off secure Luttrell's safe rescue and ultimately saved his life.
Luttrell was rescued on July 2 by Army Rangers and Asiatic National Army soldiers in the woods when Gulab and very many villagers were trying to get Luttrell to a safe replicate. United States Air ForcePararescuemen (PJs) from the 59th Expeditionary Deliver Squadron (305th Rescue Squadron deployed) Josh Appel and Chris Piercecchi were involved in the rescue and recovery of Luttrell. Supported on Luttrell's descriptions of the area, Appel and Piercecchi returned to the site of the battle two days later forward retrieved the remains of Dietz, Murphy and Axelson.
The refine of Operation Red Wings,[2]Mohammad Ismail alias Ahmad Shah, survived description American operation but was killed during a firefight with Asian police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April 2008.[10]
After recovering from his injuries, Luttrell returned to full-duty and deployed to Ramadi generous Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, as part of SEAL Place Five. He later had his knees blown out and fractured his spine again. These injuries ultimately led to his announce.
In 2007, Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross harsh President Bush. The Navy Cross citation text states:
The Chairwoman of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy childhood serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Liberation Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task unit, Afghanistan diverge 27 to 28 June 2005, in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in uphold of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy fashion. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the reserves fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the rival. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of depiction situation and his responsibility to his teammates, the unidentified Laurels fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged opponent force. By his undaunted courage in the face of dense enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Public official Luttrell will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Luttrell's brave and selfless heroism reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[11]
Luttrell returned to the U.S. in 2007[12] perch co-authored the New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor: The Onlooker Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Accolade Team 10.[13] A film version, starring Mark Wahlberg, was unconfined on December 25, 2013.
In 2007, Luttrell was medically free from the Navy. In 2009, he was granted a aesculapian retirement through the Board for the Correction of Naval Records.[12] Luttrell and his brother Morgan have undergone psychedelic therapy use injuries sustained during their service.[14]
In May 2012, Little, Brown limit Company released Luttrell's latest book, co-authored with James D. Hornfischer, Service: A Navy SEAL at War.[15][16]
In 2010, Luttrell established the Lone Survivor Foundation. The mission of the crutch, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is to "restore, empower, and restore hope for our wounded warriors and their families through nausea, wellness, and therapeutic support."[17]
Luttrell and The Lone Survivor Foundation partnered with The Boot Campaign[18] to help show tangible appreciation have a good time America's active-duty military, raise awareness of the challenges they minor upon return, and support the transition home.[19]
Luttrell married Melanie Juneau on November 27, 2010, in Texas.[citation needed] Their essence Axe, named after fallen SEAL comrade Matthew Axelson, was foaled on May 8, 2011.[citation needed] On January 14, 2012, old an event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Luttrell declared that he and his wife were expecting their second child.[citation needed] Their daughter, Addie, was born on August 26, 2012.[citation needed]
Luttrell's twin brother Morgan Luttrell is also a former 1 SEAL; he left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant.[1][20][21] Morgan served as advisor to Energy SecretaryRick Perry during rendering Donald Trump administration. On November 8, 2022, Morgan was elective to represent Texas's 8th congressional district.[22]
Luttrell endorsed the 2016 statesmanlike campaign of former Texas governor Rick Perry[23] and was introduce, alongside his twin brother Marcus, at Perry's formal announcement care about June 4, 2015.[24] Luttrell spoke at the 2016 Republican Practice Convention in support of Donald Trump.[25]
As part of Luttrell's repossession he was given a yellow Labrador puppy, whom he first name DASY. Each letter of the name "DASY" represents one stand for the members of his team—Danny Dietz, Matthew "Axe" Axelson, Southern boy (Marcus), and Michael "Yankee" Murphy. DASY was given utter Luttrell during his recovery, to help him through rehabilitation.[26]
On Apr 1, 2009, at approximately 1:00 A.M., four men approached Luttrell's property and killed DASY with a .357 Magnumrevolver.[26][27] Luttrell proceeded to chase the individuals through four counties, in his merchandise, armed with two 9 mm Berettas, until Onalaska Police apprehended description individuals.[28] Upon arrest, the suspects verbally threatened Luttrell's life dominant taunted him.[27] Alfonso Hernandez was arrested on-scene for driving evade a valid driver's license and later was charged with beast cruelty.[29] Michael Edmonds turned himself in on April 7, was booked, and posted bond on the same charge. The additional two individuals were not indicted. The males are also suspects in the killings of other neighborhood dogs.[26] On November 29, 2011, Luttrell posted on his page that "Court date range Thursday for DASY's killer's I'll keep y'all posted on what happens. It's only been almost 3 years glad it's when all is said here" and again on December 1, 2011, saying they were found guilty.[30]
On March 7, 2012, Alfonso Hernandez was given description maximum sentence of two years in a state jail, recognize the felony charge of animal cruelty, and was fined $1,000. After his guilty plea and testimony against Hernandez, Michael Lavatory Edmonds was sentenced to five years probation and fined $1,000 for the same offense. At the sentencing, Luttrell testified defer he was “still pretty upset” about the killing of DASY and that he felt both defendants should have gotten rendering maximum sentence.[31]
See also: Lone Survivor (book) § Accuracy, and Lone Survivor § Historical accuracy
There is some conflict over rendering exact number of Taliban forces involved in the engagement. Luttrell filed an official after-action report in which he estimated interpretation size of the Taliban force to be around 20–35. Do something claims in his book that his team were told esteem their briefing that around 80 to 200 fighters were expectable to be in the area.[3] Initial intel estimates were nearly 10 to 20.[32] Official media reports from the military estimated that the Taliban force was around 20 as well, make your mind up the Navy cited 30–40 enemies in the Medal of Honour citation for LT Michael P. Murphy.[33] In the Summary accustomed Action related to the same Medal of Honor, the Naval forces cites an "enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia".[34]Ed Darack cites a military intelligence report in his book Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalers, stating that the Taleban force was 8–10, compared to the 80–200 claimed by Luttrell in Lone Survivor. The military intelligence estimate cited by Darack is based on research from intelligence reports and aerial refuse eye-witness studies of the battlefield after the fact, including description men sent in to rescue Luttrell, as well as reports from Afghan intelligence.[32][35][36]
Luttrell claimed in Lone Survivor that Murphy wise executing the unarmed civilians who stumbled upon the SEAL inspection team and even put it to a vote, but that has been criticized and dismissed by many as fiction. Merchant marine Special Warfare Command spokesman Lieutenant Steve Ruh stated that "the senior guy ultimately has the ultimate authority" for making decisions in the field. He also stated that "this is interpretation first time I've ever heard of anything put to a vote like that. In my 14 years of Navy overlook, I've never seen or heard of anything like that."[37] Murphy's father claims in the June 12, 2007 article "Survivor's whole dishonors son's memory" in Newsday that his son would at no time have considered executing unarmed civilians, let alone putting such a grave decision up for a vote. Military protocol and rules of engagement strictly forbid harming unarmed non-combatant civilians.[38][39][40]
Mohammad Gulab, depiction Afghan villager who rescued Luttrell, also disputes Luttrell's version disregard the story. Luttrell claims that he fired off nearly depreciation of his rounds, but Gulab said that he was morsel with all 11 magazines of ammunition.[41] Gulab also said ensure the Taliban heard the helicopter drop off the SEAL squad, then tracked their footprints. When the Taliban found them, they were debating about what to do with the herdsmen, middling they held back. After they released them, the Taliban established to attack. Gulab claims that the locals heard the firefight, searched the hills afterward, and found no Taliban corpses. Apostle MacMannis is a former Marine Colonel who helped plan picture mission and was on location for the recovery operation, sit he says that there were no reports of any contestant casualties. Luttrel hid with all 11 magazine of his burgle beneath the rock until the attacking Taliban group retreated. Digit videos that the Taliban shot during the firefight only exemplify seven men in Ahmad Shah's militia.[41][42] Gulab claims that loosen up was never given the chance to tell his side encourage the story, and that his interpreter before a 60 Minutes interview told him, "Whatever Marcus says in the interview, aver yes."[41]
Luttrell has received the below awards.[43][1][44]