This is another tough period for the Naval Special Warfare community. Last week, two Navy SEALs, Nathan H. Hardy and Michael E. Koch, both 29, were killed in Iraq conducting anti-insurgent operations and now word comes that an Explosive Operations Detachment (EOD) sailor Petty Officer 1st Class Luis Ariel Souffront was killed in an explosion, which also injured six other troops, thankfully all expected to survive.
I also received word this week from El Barrios Bravest, the Firefighters of FDNY Engine 53/Ladder 43, of a Memorial and Scholarship fund in the honor of Lt. Michael Murphy, the Navy SEAL who led the fateful mission in Afghanistan in which he and two comrades, Danny Dietz and Matt Axelson were killed in June of 2005 while SEAL Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell was able to evade capture, with the help of an Afghan villager. Also killed that day was the crew of a MH-47 helicopter and the SEALs onboard attempting to rescue Lt. Murphy’s unit, with 16 men lost. Those firefighters “adopted” Lt. Murphy and many were present the day Lt. Murphy’s parents were presented the Medal of Honor for their son’s heroic actions.
To end on a much better note, here’s an incredible story of a 18 year US Army veteran who was blinded and severely wounded in Iraq in 2006. 1st Lt. Ivan Castro of the 82nd Airborne and formerly an enlisted Special Forces soldier, ran a 13.1 mile race while being “tethered” to the top Special Operator in the nation, Admiral Eric Thor Olson, Commander US Special Operations Command and first 4-star Frogman.
Please read the whole article but here’s a quote from the article:
"I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me. I signed up to do this. No one twisted my arm. I did this on my own. I'm proud of the military, proud of being a U.S. soldier, proud of being an American," he said."The Lord told me it wasn't my time to go. He has something for me to do on this beautiful land here. I'm waiting for him to give me the op word, my mission. But then, maybe this is my mission here. This is not about me. Right now I'm just trying my best to help others."
Hooya Lt. Castro!
Our thoughts and prayers go the families of these brave men and please consider donating to Lt. Murphy’s Fund here.
Update: Sadly, we have to report another new fatality for the SEAL community. Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Valentine was killed during parachute training in Arizona, full article and photo here. Also, I failed to mention two other SEALs recently lost, Petty Officer 2nd Class Alex Ghane lost during a stateside training evolution and Chief Petty Officer Mark Carter lost in Iraq earlier this year. This truly is a very difficult time for the SEAL and NSW community, our thoughts and prayers go to them and their families.