*AXELSON,
MATTHEW GENE (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy
Cross (Posthumously) to Matthew Gene Axelson, Sonar Technician Second
Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the
enemy while serving in a four- man Special Reconnaissance element with
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit,
Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Axelson
demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger 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 support of a follow-on direct action
mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was
spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately
revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the
element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional
resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation, Petty
Officer Axelson's element bravely engaged the militia, who held both a
numerical and positional advantage. The ensuing firefight resulted in
numerous enemy personnel killed, with several of the Navy members
suffering casualties. Ignoring his injuries and demonstrating
exceptional composure, Petty Officer Axelson advised the teammate
closest to him to escape while he provided cover fire. With total
disregard for his own life and thinking only of his teammate's
survival, he continued to attack the enemy, eliminating additional
militia fighters, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. A
champion of freedom, Petty Officer Axelson will be remembered for his
self- sacrificing actions in the continuing Global War on Terrorism.
By his undaunted courage, fortitude under fire, and unwavering
dedication to duty, Petty Officer Axelson reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.
Born: June 25, 1976 at Cupertino,
California
Home Town: Cupertino, California
Personal Awards: Air Force Cross (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
BASS,
STEPHEN
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Stephen Bass, Chief Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy, for
extraordinary heroism as a member of Sea-Air-Land Team ONE (SEAL-1),
while serving with the British Special Boat Service during combat
operations in Northern Afghanistan on 25 and 26 November 2001. Chief
Petty Officer Bass deployed to the area as a member of a Joint
American and British Special Forces Rescue Team to locate and recover
two missing American citizens, one presumed to be seriously injured or
dead, after hard-line Al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners at the
Quala-I-Jangi fortress in Mazar-e-Sharif over powered them and gained
access to large quantities of arms and ammunition stored at the
fortress. Once inside, Chief Petty Officer Bass was engaged
continuously by direct small arms fire, indirect mortar fire and
rocket propelled grenade fire. He was forced to walk through an active
anti-personnel minefield in order to gain entry to the fortress. After
establishing the possible location of both American citizens, under
heavy fire and without concern for his own personal safety, he made
two attempts to rescue the uninjured citizen by crawling toward the
fortress interior to reach him. Forced to withdraw due to large
volumes of fire falling on his position, he was undeterred. After
reporting his efforts to the remaining members of the rescue team,
they left and attempted to locate the missing citizen on the outside
of the fortress. As darkness began to fall, no attempt was going to be
made to locate the other injured American citizen. Chief Petty Officer
Bass then took matters into his own hands. Without regard for his own
personal safety, he moved forward another 300-400 meters into the
heart of the fortress by himself under constant enemy fire in an
attempt to locate the injured citizen. Running low on ammunition, he
utilized weapons from deceased Afghans to continue his rescue attempt.
Upon verifying the condition and location of the American citizen, he
withdrew from the fortress. By his outstanding display of decisive
leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire, and utmost
devotion to duty, Chief Petty Officer Bass reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service.
*DIETZ,
DANNY PHILLIP (KIA)
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy
Cross (Posthumously) to Danny Phillip Dietz, Gunners Mate Second
Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the
enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit,
Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated
extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger 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 support of a follow-on direct action
mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was
spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately
revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the
element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional
resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his
responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly
against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy
force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer
Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely
fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a
harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. By his undaunted
courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his
teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he
played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz' courageous
and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost
devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.
Born: January 26, 1980 at Aurora,
Colorado
Home Town: Littleton, Colorado
Personal Awards: Air Force Cross (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
FONSECA,
LUIS E.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Luis E. Fonseca, Hospitalman Apprentice, U.S. Navy, for
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy
while serving as Corpsman, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company
C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Regimental Combat Team TWO, Task
Force Tarawa, First Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 23 March 2003. During Company C's assault
and seizure of the Saddam Canal Bridge, an amphibious assault vehicle
was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade inflicting five casualties.
Without concern for his own safety, Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca
braved small arms, machine gun, and intense rocket propelled grenade
fire to evacuate the wounded Marines from the burning amphibious
assault vehicle and tend to their wounds. He established a casualty
collection point inside the unit's medical evacuation amphibious
assault vehicle, calmly and methodically stabilizing two casualties
with lower limb amputations by applying tourniquets and administering
morphine. He continued to treat and care for the wounded awaiting
evacuation until his vehicle was rendered immobile by enemy direct and
indirect fire. Under a wall of enemy machine gun fire, he directed the
movement of four casualties from the damaged vehicle by organizing
litter teams from available Marines. He personally carried one
critically wounded Marine over open ground to another vehicle.
Following a deadly artillery barrage, Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca
again exposed himself to enemy fire to treat Marines wounded along the
perimeter. Returning to the casualty evacuation amphibious assault
vehicle, he accompanied his casualties South through the city to a
Battalion Aid Station. After briefing medical personnel on the status
of his patients, Hospitalman Apprentice Fonseca returned North through
the city to Company C's lines and to his fellow Marines that had been
wounded in his absence. His timely and effective care undoubtedly
saved the lives of numerous casualties. Hospitalman Apprentice
Fonseca's actions reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the
highest traditions to the Marine Corps and the United States Naval
Service.
Born: at Frankfurt, Germany
Home Town: Fayetteville, North Carolina
LUTTRELL,
MARCUS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Marcus Luttrell, , U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism
in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special
Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval
Special Warfare Task unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. This
Navy SEAL, who remains on active duty and whose identity has not yet
been revealed, demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave
danger 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 support of a
follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June
2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers,
who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a
result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating
exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the
situation and his responsibility to his teammates, the unidentified
SEAL fought valiantly against the numerically superior and
positionally advantaged enemy force. (Navy Crosses were also awarded
to two other members of this element, Navy SEALs Danny Dietz and
Matthew Axelson.)
Home Town: Huntsville, Texas
Personal Awards: Air Force Cross (War on Terrorism), Purple Heart
If you can help us locate P.O. Luttrell's
Citation, Please E-Mail
us.
SLABINSKI,
BRITT
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Britt Slabinski, Senior Chief Information Systems
Technician (SEAL), U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Sniper
Element Leader in Sea-Air-Land Team EIGHT (SEAL-8), for a joint
special operations unit conducting combat operations against enemy
forces during Operation ANACONDA, Sahi-Kot Valley, Afghanistan on 3
and 4 March 2002, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On the
evening of 3 March, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski led his
seven-man reconnaissance team onto the snow-covered, 10,000 foot
mountaintop known as Takur Ghar, to establish a combat overwatch
position in support of U.S. Army forces advancing against the enemy on
the valley floor. As their helicopter hovered over the mountain it was
met by unrelenting rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and small arms fire
by entrenched enemy forces. As a result of several RPG hits, a member
of Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski's team was ejected from the
helicopter into the midst of the fortified enemy positions. The badly
damaged helicopter conducted a controlled crash, at which time Senior
Chief Petty Officer Slabinski immediately took charge and established
security on the crash location until the crew and his team were
recovered to a support base. At this point, Senior Chief Slabinski
fully aware of the overwhelming, fixed, enemy forces over the
mountain, but also knowing the desperate situation of his missing
teammate, now reportedly fighting for his life, without hesitation
made the selfless decision to lead his team on an immediate, bold
rescue mission. He heroically led the remainder of his SEAL element
back onto the snow-covered, remote, mountaintop into the midst of the
numerically superior enemy forces in a daring and valiant attempt to
rescue one of their own. After a treacherous helicopter insertion onto
the mountaintop, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski led his close
quarter firefight. He skillfully maneuvered his team and bravely
engaged multiple enemy positions, personally clearing one bunker and
killing several enemy within. His unit became caught in a withering
crossfire from other bunkers and the closing enemy forces. Despite
mounting casualties, Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski maintained
his composure and continued to engage the enemy until his position
became untenable. Faced with no choice but a tactical withdrawal, he
coolly directed fire from airborne assets to cover his team. He then
led an arduous movement through the mountainous terrain, constantly
under fire, covering over one kilometer in waist-deep snow, while
carrying a seriously wounded teammate. Arriving at a defensible
position, he organized his team's security posture and stabilized his
casualties. For over fourteen hours, Senior Chief Petty Officer
Slabinski directed the defense of his position through countless
engagements, personally engaging the enemy and directing close air
support onto the enemy positions until the enemy was ultimately
defeated. During this entire sustained engagement, Senior Chief Petty
Officer Slabinski exhibited classic grace under fire in steadfastly
leading the intrepid rescue operation, saving the lives of his wounded
men and setting the conditions for the ultimate vanquishing of the
enemy and the seizing of Takur Ghar. By his heroic display of decisive
and tenacious leadership, unyielding courage in the face of constant
enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Senior Chief Petty Officer
Slabinski reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service.
