[MG Note: HM1 Marcus Luttrell (SEAL) is a very laid-back, Texas gentleman.  I first became aware of his story when another friend, also a SEAL, sent me the five talking book CD's of Luttrell's Lone Survivor.  The CD's are a very powerful, first-hand account of not only Operation RED WING, but of Luttrell's growing up and SEAL training.  His book is a fitting tribute to the members of his team that died during this action and of their incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.  I heartily recommend his work (either book or CD's)to our readers.]

Marcus Luttrell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marcus Luttrell (born 1975) is a former Hospital Corpsman First Class, a United States Navy SEAL and Navy Cross recipient.

Early life

Born and raised in Huntsville, Texas, Luttrell attended Sam Houston State University. He began training for the SEALs at age 14 with former Army Green Beret, Billy Shelton, who lived nearby. He trained every day with his brother, and other military special forces hopefuls.

Military career

Luttrell joined the United States Navy in March of 1999. He began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 226 in Coronado, California. Luttrell graduated with Class 228 after suffering a fractured femur early in his training. He had a difficult time working with his other teamates carrying boats and telephone poles because of his large size; he is 6 foot 5. After serving in Baghdad, Iraq, he was deployed to Afghanistan in the Spring of 2005.

Operation RED WING

On 28 June 2005, Luttrell and SEAL Team 10, were assigned to a mission to ssassinate a dangerous Taliban leader responsible for countless killings in the area of the Hindu-Kush mountains. With his extensive knowledge of explosives, the Taliban leader was viewed as a high value target. The SEAL team was made up of LT Michael P. Murphy, and Petty Officers Marcus Luttrell, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson.  Marcus Luttrell and Matthew Axelson were the team's snipers while Danny Dietz and Michael Murphy were the spotters.

The team of four SEALs was eventually, while in enemy territory, discovered by goat herders. 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 experienced Taliban fighters, led by the man they were sent to kill. Each SEAL team member fought doggedly, even after being mortally wounded up to 5 times. Michael P. Murphy was killed after walking into the open to call in help for his team via radio and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

A helicopter was dispatched with a larger force of Navy SEALs to rescue the team, but it was shot down by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). The RPG hit the inside of the helicopter, after the back ramp had been lowered. All 16 men on board were killed.

By the end of the battle, 100 of the original 150 in the attacking Taliban force had been killed. Luttrell was the only SEAL survivor, covering seven miles while wounded, losing blood, hallucinating and nearly dying of dehydration. He managed to kill and evade most of those still in pursuit. He was taken in by a local tribe and protected by a tradition stating they must defend him with their lives. Though the Taliban found him and tortured him he gave no information and was hidden again by the tribesman in fear the Taliban would execute him. After five days he set out for a local military base and was discovered by Green Berets and Army Rangers.

After a redeployment to Iraq, he returned home to write the book Lone Survivor about this mission and the men he fought with, a New York Times best seller. A movie based on the book is now in the works.

Military awards

Books

• Lone Survivor

 

Trivia

• His identical twin, Morgan, is seven minutes older and also a Navy SEAL
• Marcus and Morgan each bear half of the Navy SEAL Trident on their respective backs.

References

• Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10. (ISBN 0316067598)