Axelson and Dietz to receive Navy Cross

Posted By Froggy

UPDATED-POPS IS IN THE COMMENTS-TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK THIS GREAT AMERICAN

A year after the largest combat loss for Naval Special Warfare since D-Day, two members of the SR element that battled an estimated 50-100 taliban near Asadabad, Afghanistan will posthumously receive the nation's second highest award for valor.  On September 13, 2006, the families of PO2 Matthew Axelson and PO2 Danny Dietz will be presented the Navy Cross in a ceremony at the US Navy memorial in Washington DC. 

Dan Dietz, father of PO2 Dietz:

"He was tremendously brave, and he stuck around for his buddies," said Danny's father, Dan Dietz, of Littleton. "He was fighting all the time through this. I'm very proud that I'm his father. And I miss him tremendously."...  And when he holds the medal, he said, "It will remind me of his dedication, his strength, and his loyalty. And his just . . . just his sheer guts."

Corky Axelson, father of PO2 Axelson:

"We are proud of our son if he didn't get any of these medals, but this is special."

Jeff Axelson, PO2 Axelson's brother:

"Yeah, I looked up to him even though he is a little brother."

Having been compromised during their recon, Axelson, Dietz, Lt. Michael Murphy, and the One were engaged by a numerically superior force of taliban from the mountainside above.  After calling for a Quick Reaction Force to aid them in their extraction, the SR team fought the enemy for at least an hour.  Upon the arrival of the QRF, one of the MH-47 helos was struck by an RPG and crashed, killing eight SEALs and eight Army Nightstalkers.  The SR team fought on and Axelson, Dietz, and Murphy all gave their lives with only one survivor-who was also awarded the Navy Cross-escaping.  The One evaded the enemy for another day or more having suffered numerous wounds and was taken in by some nearby friendly villagers.  After watching taliban barter for his life on several occasions, the villagers helped to smuggle the One out of the village where he linked up with an Army Ranger patrol at which point he took the Ranger radio and called in a series of devastating airstrikes on taliban positions which had engaged them. 

I recently met the One and his brother at the Marc Lee memorial service in Coronado.  The One's father is a frequent commenter here at B5 named Pops, so if you see him in the comments be sure and show him the proper respect.  Rumor has it that Lt. Murphy is under consideration for the Congressional Medal of Honor.  All three SR team KIAs received the Silver Star initially, and since Murphy was not upgraded to the Navy Cross, it seems likely that he will be getting the CMH posthumously at some point.  It is pretty much accepted in the SEAL community that the One is entitled to the CMH, but the requirement that the acts of valor be witnessed personally excludes him since he was the mission's sole survivor.

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The webmaster's blog-within-a-blog. Continuously updated, newest items at the top. Axelson and Dietz to receive Navy CrossMatthew Froggy HeidtA year after the largest combat loss for Naval Special Warfare since D-Day, two members of the SR element that... [Read More]

Comments

[Subsunk]

Froggy,

When are we gonna get to read that book? That is gonna be one damn good sea story. God bless 'em all.

We're all praying for the families of Petty Officers Axelson and Dietz. They deserve the recognition and their families deserve our respect and gratitude.

I hope the One will accept anonymous beer and snacks from us. You say where to send the feed funds and the memorial funds.

Subsunk

[Subsunk]

I apologize for leaving out LT Murphy's family in my comments. They have my respect, gratitude and prayers a swell. Can't wait to read all their citations.

What Men!

Subsunk

[Froggy]

Subsunk,
The One is still operational and willing be going on another combat deployment in the near future. I sincerely hope that he lets me write that book someday, but its just not something that I can force. Nor do I want to. Someday that story will come out though, and it is better than you imagine... trust me.

[Devil Dog Dad]

Thank God for men like this. My prayers go to the families for God's comfort.

Also, I read the linked article, reporter had only a small ax to grind (describing the war being "unpopular" --- I don't know what that had to do with the story). Thanks to Froggy though for posting the particulars on their heroics. I am convinced we will never read ANY articles in the MSM about anything to do with battlefield heroics. We are all the poorer for that.

[Maggie45]

God bless these young men and their families. Watching Mr. and Mrs. Axelson and Jeff Axelson almost broke my heart. What courage.

[Steve Schippert]

With gratitude to the fallen and their families, Godspeed and Semper Fi, mates.

[Easy]

As long as we have such warriors, this country will endure. Hooah! and RIP

Easy
"That Others May Live."

The Charge Of The Light Brigade

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismay’d?
Not tho’ the soldier knew
Some one had blunder’d.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley’d and thunder’d;
Storm’d at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash’d all their sabres bare,
Flash’d as they turn’d in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder’d.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro’ the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel’d from the sabre-stroke
Shatter’d and sunder’d.
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley’d and thunder’d;
Storm’d at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro’ the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder’d.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

Alfred Lord Tennyson

[tblubrd]

Warriors like this deserve our thanks, praise, and deepest respect. Thanks you for this story. I do hope you get to write that book.

It's people like these who make me proud as hell to live in this country and be called American.

[thebronze]

Just...wow...

[old trooper]

That "trooper" stayed in the fight. NUFF SAID.

In my books, he is someone that I would mourn.

God Bless Him and His Family!

If we only had 10,000 like him this war would be done quick.

[Agnieszka O.]

Thank you. I'll pass your kind comments to Danny's parents. They are very pround of D.J., he is their hero. It's still hard for them to accept that he is gone.

[HomefrontSix]

Yet more examples of why I continue to be in awe of our servicemembers. Froggy ~ thanks for that. I am glad The One is still operational. He has my prayers as he readies for another mission. ANd the families of the fallen are in my prayers as well.

- hfs

[BillyA]

I salute them all.. God Bless them..it is people like them that makes America great

Semper-Fi

[Peg C.]

Great post! What heroes. God Bless them and their families.

I sure hope that book gets written one day or at least the story gets told, and other stories like them. Without them, we lose the meaning of what makes a warrior and why he fights.

[red river]

I suspect there is even more to this story. It gets greater every time.

[Trauma Chick]

Wow, I was just remembering Danny with people from his church. We remembered him well over dinner. Thanks for letting us know about his Navy Cross honors. As for One, just awesome. Some day maybe his story will be told, then again... maybe not. Those who are doers are not necessarily talkers. Some things don't bear repeating for the shear magnitude of the experience. To my Littleton family it has been way too long. Thanks for sharing the memories.

[bthun (the red neck formerly known as bruce)]

I am humbled to my core. My words are meaningless compared to their sacrifice...

May God bless them and their loved ones for their sacrifice, their honor to duty for each other, for country, and for freedom.

[frogsister]

I'm divided on whether the story should ever be told in a book. On one hand, sure I'd like to know the accounts of the day, but on the other, some things are left best untold.

You know, of all the birthday gifts I received yesterday (the 2nd), this by far, has been the best!!

Fantastic! Thank you again Froggy for sharing this great blog.

Sincerely, Frogsister

[arrowhead]

To all those brave soldiers, "Thank You" again, and again, and again!

[Marine6]

Their's is a story worth telling. It is unfortunate that the average American has little, if any, comprehension of the bravery that has been routinely shown on the battlefields of this war. To quote Chester Nimitz, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."

It bothers me that acts of heroism that can easily be documented through a careful examination of the evidence or inferred through the accounts of other participants in the overall action who might not have been eyewitnesses, are not acceptable, and that there is stillthis bar to awarding the Medal of Honor to an otherwise deserving receipient.

The history of the medal is that there were many instances in the past when the medal was freely confered, often for what today would be considered trivial acts. For example, during the Civil War all members of a regiment were awarded the medal just to get them to reenlist (these medals were later withdrawn.) Charles Lindbergh was awarded the medal for his flight over the Atlantic. There were numerous medals awarded prior to World War II for peacetime acts that were "heroic" but did not involve action against the enemy (an example was a pilot who saved crew members after an airplane crash at sea.)

If the really tough guidelines were followed in each, and every, case involving the award I would have little complaint. But I can't forget the fact that Bill Clinton and his crowd decided that minorities were under represented among the MoH receipients. So the Draft Dodger in Chief, and his advisors, not one of which had worn a uniform, let alone seen combat, unilaterally decided to hell with the criteria and awarded a series of "minority Medals of Honor."

So if a Draft Dodging Bullshit Artist, who didn't find military service "politically expedient" can waive all the rules to forward his political agenda, then why can't exceptions be made for those who have truly earned the honor?

Marine6 Sends

[JG]

Thank-you for bringing up to date the story of the heroes of that awful day when so many died - I recall the news report of the helo crash and was just heartsick. Today there is the other side of the story and I am left in awe. I have always been of the mind that this all volunteer military, infused with those who came after 9/11 is composed of the best this nation has ever had and then there are are those that will forever be immortal, PO2 Matthew Axelson and PO2 Danny Dietz, winners of the Navy Cross and Lt Murphy on whom we await news. The One, well the awe that overwhelms me as I write that term is a fitting honor in and of itself. We will one day perhaps know the identity of this hero but maybe not. Still my sense is that the true hero, those that laid down their lives and The One who was willing, do not do so for pieces of metal. They are guided by motivations that defy words and will always be a source of wonder and inspiration to those that learn now or 100 years from now. If when we are all gone and only the name, The One remains unknown, will the honor given be the less. I do not think so. God bless those who now reside with Him and may He wrap his Holy Armor around The One that he may live to be a very old man in the nation that may never know his name but which honors him nontheless.

[Lisa Gilliam]

Marine6,another problem,is most Americans have become too damn lazy too dig up information on what is really going on in this war in too theartes.Nothing is demanded of the rest of the populace and this is what we get,and then of course all of us are aware that are media are traitoroous fools and tools to our enemies and that sadly this adminidaration still treats these assholes with kid gloves.This is the one thing that I've consistently maddening about him personally,he still hasn't learned how win on the pr front.Also,I would like to know why when conservatives are elected to office,they act too as if they are come completely clueless on what to do once they get to Washington?they let Sandy "Burglar"get off the hook because of being cowards and wanting to kiss ass with the lefty press in DC,anybody else would've gotten the book thrown at them for what he did,I think these are the types of questions we should demand action and answers from our elected officials about,if conservatism also means accountability,the right goofed big time on it.Also,as you stated that when the medal of honor was given to people who didn't deserve it,they rescinded the medal,they did,but as usual our "leaders"don't know which way is up,for all their criticism of Clinton,I didn't see anyone with any courage take charge and tell the America people that this man demeaned such an award based on race,none of these guys ever saw combat,and they didn't save anyone's life,and he gives it away like a piece of candy.I think this is the stuff we need to stop and it is time for these elected officials to stop ignoring issues like this.

[Pops]

Wow,
Now I know why I hang out with you guys and gals.
To the Families of Lt. Murphy, Matthew Axelson and Danny Dietz, I want to express my deepest sympathies. The loss of these brave men along with the other eight of their brothers will always be mourned and honored in my household. Ther pictures adorn my walls and a shrine has built in their honor. Hundreds of Seals from all over the world have visited here since that day in June last year.Truly the best of the best have honored those guys repeatedly.
The One and the rest of the family were honored in D.C. last month in a ceremony hoisted by G.W. himself. It was awe inspiring, than you America.
The crazy thing about this MOH deal is, That if Murphy is given this honor, his eyewitness is The One. If you believe That he was there and his testament to Murphy is enough to upgrade to the MOH, why not give it to all of them!
To all who comment here on this subject thank you for you warm and wonderful thoughts and comments.
Keep us in your prayers for once again The One and his Brother are going in Harms Way.
Pops Out

[Pops]

Sorry everyone but it's hard to spell with tears in your eyes.
Thanks Froggy!
Love Pops

[Patrick]

Pops - its also hard to read with tears in your eyes. You said thank you to America, but it is America that should be thanking you, and the parents of Lt. Murphy, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson. You and the parents of these brave men have given this country more than we should be allowed to ask. Thank you. The One, his brother, you and the families of the One's team members are all in our prayers.

[Peg C.]

Pops,

God Bless you and your family, and Godspeed to the One and his Brother.

[Dawnsblood]

Pops,
I'm not good with words, so I'll second Patrick. Our country has never been luckier then the day these fine men volunteered for duty.

[Richard]

God Bless the families of these fallen heroes. The sacrifice of these men AND their families will not be forgotten.

Pops - God Bless The One and his Brother and please thank them for their service and commitment to our country. There is no doubt that you can be very proud of them. They, along with your family, will be in the prayers of many including myself.

Richard

[trident86]

Pops,

I know both your sons fairly well, having served alongside them for four years in Hawaii. I've spoken with both quite often--both before and after 28 June 2005. As you well know, both are exemplary SEALs and Americans. All they are, all they have done and all they continue to do are a tribute to their upbringing and the example you, your wife and others have set during their formative years. I'd like to offer a personal thanks to you guys, for helping mold your sons into the selfless patriots they've become. Although they once again go into harm's way, they are well prepared to do their nation's bidding.

Best wishes to you and yours,

Trident86

[JOE Norman]

LT. Murphy, Petty Officers Axelson and Dietz, and their families:
THANK YOU!! You did good work! May the families know God's peace that surpasses all understanding. You have THIS American's most sincere and heartfelt condolences and sympathy.

To THE ONE, his Father, and his Brother:
May your bullets fly true and find their mark! May your success frustrate and comfound the enemy! Happy hunting, and may many of the enemy fall by your hand!
Pops.....What an outstanding job of parenting you have done! You have given us national treasures! Thank you so much! May God bless and protect your boys as they defend the republic. May he steel your heart as they carry out their work. As I consider your son's, and all of our magnificent Warriors, I am mindful of this Bible verse:

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

[Dean]

Pops,
Thank you so much.

God Bless all of our troops and the families of these fallen heroes.

Dean

[Brian]

I felt sick to my stomach when I heard of the sudden loss of so many of our nation's finest warriors last year. I hoped for swift and violent revenge. It was bittersweet news that only one of the team survived... if only they all did.

To the men who made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who are still fighting on, this humble civilian thanks you for serving this great country of ours, for fighting the enemy in their own backyard (thus being so far from your own loved ones) so that we can be safe in ours, and ultimately for being who you are.

To the family members like Pops, thank you for the sacrifices you made, for your courage in support of your sons, and for being the source of such strength, courage, intelligence, and loyalty.

[Rhonda]

I would still love to see the One get the CMH.

[old trooper]

No disrespect intended, but...for every American Warrior that recieves awards for fighting on, regardless of the odds, regardless of the hopelessness of the percieved situation, regardless of personal risk...there are dozens that were never cited, dozens whose acts were never recognized or saluted.

These selfless acts of courage deserve recognition and respect. Unfortunately, all too often, the celebrations are conducted at the wake, before the remains are placed in the ground. Sadly, Some were never recognized or 'celebrated'.

The One deserves recognition and the honors before his acts are forgotten.

Nuff said.

[SEAL TEAM TEN PARENTS]

My wife and I will never forget 28 June 2005 and the sacrifices of so many brave and wonderful young Americans. We greave for the great loss to the families of these men. We pray that the families are coping.
Sadly, people in our community, and likely elsewhere, have little knowledge of the degree of courage and commitment of these men. Such men are exceeding rare, and there loss is therefore all the greater.
We hope that honoring Matt Axelson and Danny Dietz with the NAVY CROSS will help their families deal with their loss and spread the knowledge of great acts of courage and commitment.

[Maria Dietz]

I want to thank everyone for making such incredible comments about my husband Danny Dietz and the other brothers who fought along side with him.
It is an honor for me to go to DC and receive this medal on behalf of my husband....but even without this medal given to me...I already knew the day I married him that I was with a special man...who was a warrior in heart. Everything he did in life; at home and at his job was done with passion and respect. I can still remember the day he was packing for this trip to Afghanistan...he was so exited like a little kid who knows that he is going to a theme park...but in this case he knew he was going to the most dangerous place in the world and still he seemed so calm. Two weeks before his safety arrival to the U.S. three man knocked on the door to give me the awful news....although, this news has crushed me...I admire my husband for going out there and fighting in that ground until his last breath....A true warrior proves himself when he is confronted by evil and still runs toward it..and that is what these men did...they are "true warriors". It has been an honor to have spent 4 years of my life with Danny and now I must live on for him to show evil that they have not defeated him completely because he lives in me...
To the One and his family....Thank you so much for keeping the story and the spirit of my husband and the rest of the brothers that fell on that day alive.

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"

Maria L. Dietz
(Patsy)

[JOE Norman]

To Mrs. Dietz,

I am humbled, honored, and priviledged to share citzenship in this wonderful country with persons such as yourself and your husband. I can't tell you how sorry I am that Freedom demanded such a high price from your family. Thank God that there are men like Danny who are willing to step into the fray and defend Freedom at that high price.
I know your sorrow and loss must be a crushing weight, but I also know that your pride and sense of joy in knowing that you were lucky enough to spend some time with such a man as Danny is equal in scope. Few of us get to be around real, live, walking-talking heroes....you got to live with one.
I wish for you God's peace that surpasses all understanding, and I pray that his love, grace, and mercy will rain on you and follow you all the days of your life. THIS American and his family thank you with all our hearts for the sacrifice you made on our behalf. We are in debt to you, and stand ready to do anything we can to help you shoulder the burden of your loss.
Joe,Tina,and Remington Norman

[David]

I can only say thankyou on behalf of my family. We sleep soundly, and live happily in NYC because of the men and women standing up for us overseas. Complete your missions and come home as soon as the world is safe again.

[ARP]

Pops, Mrs. Dietz and the families of those discussed here, Thank you. You're in my prayers. The sacrifices your loved ones have made for our Country are humbling, and make me proud to be an American. May God bless you all.

[WTThurman]

Pops, The One and all the others who do so much for the rest of us,

THANK YOU!!!

I have been working for Wall Street companies in New York City for many years.
I worked in the South Tower, 80th Fl of the World Trade Center for 5 years.
At 9:03 on September 11th, I was watching Smoke, Flames, and Little Tiny
Bodies coming out of the North Tower (from a building < 1 mi away) when
United Flight 173 flew right in front of me and Crashed into the South
Tower - and it hit the desk where I used to sit. On that awful day, I
decided my motto was "Kill a terrorist today, one less terrorist to kill
tomorrow."
Every night I go to sleep and give thanks to the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard for keeping me safe enough to wake up.
In the morning, I give Thanks that the United States Marines have another day to KILL TERRORISTS.
You - and all your friends - are TOTALLY AWESOME!!!

Remember September 11th - I will Never Forget.

PS I have three children and I will push every one of them (boys/girls)
to join any branch of the armed forces. You folks deserve it.

[Rick]

In a country where children to often grow up thinking sports figures and movie stars are Heroe, you can be assured that my 4 year old son will here the stories of these brave men and others like them, so that someday he will truly know what a hero is. God bless all of you and your families, sincerly a Greatful American.

[Copperh3ad]

As an immigrant and recent arrival to the US, I still feel humbled to think that the people of this nation and especially their sons and daughters willingly fight and die to protect -me-, not of their blood, nation or people.

Thank you. If there were words to express the admiration and gratitude I hold in my heart, they would be mean things, incapable of expressing its magnitude.

The brave people live up to the highest ideals, sacrificing all they have to defend a people who often fail to grasp the magnitude of the gift they are given.

Thank you. For the liberty of this nation. For the safety of my newfound home. For letting me know that not every land is drowned in capitulation and indulgence. For the blood, sweat and tears shed for me and mine, for us, the faceless and often indifferent masses.

Thank you.

[recondo90]

I know that there has been a long time since the last post, but I think I need to pay tribute.

Pops- Dietz, Axelson, Murphy, and your son, are my all-time heros. We remember these men, not just for how they died, but for how they lived.
I have never known a Navy SEAL, and can only imagine having one for a son, but it must be incredible to truly know these men. Unfortunatly, the media will soon forget the sacrifice of these brave SEALs, but I won't let that happen in my house or in the small group of people I influence. Their story will be told to my children and grandchildren. Someday I hope to serve my country and repay part of the debt that I owe these men for giving their all. If I can only be half the men that they were, then I'll know I did something that mattered.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family's of these patriots.
Please tell your son thanks for his service. The One and his fellow SEALs took it to the limit so that I can live a life of peace, and I deeply appreciate that. Thank you for raising a son like Marcus. You've provided me with an examplery role model.

Hats off to you Pops, along with The One, Dietz, Murphy, and Axelson
Recondo90 out