James Suh (1977–2005) was a Korean American United States Navy SEAL. He is best known for his participation in Operation Red Wings, which took place in Afghanistan in 2005. He died on 28 June 2005 when his helicopter crashed after being shot at by Taliban forces.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
James Eric Suh was born Sung Gap Suh on Wednesday, March 2, 1977 (age 28 at the time of death) in Chicago, Illinois. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He was brought up in a poor family. Suh completed her schooling with distinction at Deerfield Beach High School in Florida. In school, he was part of the swimming and tennis teams. He was also selected to take classes for advanced and gifted students because he showed academic talent. Subsequently, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in statistics in 1999. In college, he was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). According to his classmates, James Suh excelled in math and science and wanted to become a veterinarian. However, he chose to pursue a career in the United States Army Special Forces.
James’s college days photo
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 9″
Weight (Approx): 65 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye colour: dark brown
Family
James Suh belongs to a Christian family from America. His family immigrated from South Korea before he was born.
parents and siblings
His father, Solomon Suh, worked as a day laborer in a warehouse in Deerfield.
A photo of James Suh’s father
He has a sister named Claudia Suh Brown. James’s father raised him and his sister alone after their mother left them when they were young.
wife and children
James Suh was unmarried and had no children.
relationships/affairs
He was in a relationship with a girl named Anna Chung. After James was deployed to Afghanistan, they communicated with each other through phone calls as well as emails. According to sources, James had planned to ask Anna to marry him after returning from Afghanistan in 2005. However, he passed away.
Religion
James Suh followed Christianity.
livelihood
Training
On September 15, 2000, James Suh enlisted in the US Navy. He reported to U.S. Navy boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Chicago, Illinois in January 2001; He trained there until March 2001. After that, he received additional training at the Quartermaster School until May 2001.
James Suh (center) after completing his training at Naval Boot Camp.
Later, he attended Class 237 of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) to become a US Navy SEAL. He then reported to the United States Army Airborne School, also known as Jump School, at Fort Moore, Georgia, where he underwent basic paratrooper (military parachutist) training. Suh completed the 26-week-long SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) in August 2002 and earned the Naval Special Warfare insignia, also known as the SEAL Team Trident badge. She was then sent to Panama, where she received Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) training until November 2002. Later, he went to SEAL Sniper School in Indiana, where he was trained as a marksman.
James is sitting with his sniper rifle
deployment
James Suh deployed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 2002. There, he became a member of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1). He remained in Hawaii until February 2005. James was sent to Afghanistan as part of SEAL Team Ten to assist NATO forces in conducting counter-terrorism operations against the Taliban under the banner of Operation Enduring Freedom. In Afghanistan, James participated in several reconnaissance missions and patrols.
James Suh’s photo taken in Afghanistan
operation red wings
Operation Red Wings was a special military operation launched by the US in 2005 to capture/kill Ahmed Shah, a key Taliban commander in the Kunar province of Afghanistan.
A picture of Ahmed Shah
To accomplish the mission, a team of four U.S. Navy SEALs, consisting of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Petty Officer Second Class Danny Dietz, Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Axelson, and Petty Officer Second Class Marcus Luttrell, were deployed into the mountains in Kunar Province. Was posted at. ,
Left to right – Matthew Axelson, James Suh, and Marcus Luttrell
The mission is put in jeopardy when a large Taliban force ambushes the four SEALs. After the team requested immediate evacuation and reinforcements, US commanders dispatched a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with sixteen Special Forces operatives, including James Suh.
From left to right – Matthew Axelson, Daniel R. Healy, James Suh, Marcus Luttrell, Eric S. Patton, and Michael P. Murphy
However, while closing in on the landing ground the helicopter came under intense enemy fire, resulting in it crashing, killing all military personnel on board. James’s body was recovered from the crash site by a team of US soldiers sent to Kunar province to conduct Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations. Suh’s Navy citation detailing the accident reads,
As part of the quick reaction force, Petty Officer Suh was dispatched to reinforce a Navy SEAL special reconnaissance element engaged in a fierce firefight against numerically superior anti-coalition militia near Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Was. The special reconnaissance element was surrounded by enemy fire in extremely rugged and inaccessible terrain. Demonstrating extraordinary resolve and fully understanding the implications of the mission, Petty Officer Suh’s element launched aboard a helicopter for direct entry into an active battlefield, protecting the lives of his fellow SEALs from the enemy. Was ready to join and destroy him. While Airborne Petty Officer Suh continued to work with his team members to develop a plan of attack to support both the quick reaction force and the immediate execution of the intended deliberate attack. As the helicopter was hovering in preparation for a daring fast-rope entry of the SEALs, the aircraft was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade fired by anti-coalition militia. The resulting explosion and impact resulted in the tragic and untimely loss of everyone on board.
A collage of US Armed Forces soldiers participating in Operation Red Wings
Following his death, the United States government awarded Suh the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for gallantry and service in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he held the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (QM2).
military decorations
- Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Gallantry
- combat specific equipment
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
James Suh’s ranks, ribbons, medals and other military insignia
Death
James Suh died on June 28, 2005, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, while participating in Operation Red Wings. He died after his helicopter was shot down by enemy forces with a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). He was buried with full military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
A photo of James Suh’s tombstone
Facts/General Knowledge
- According to sources, Suh changed his name from Sung Gap to James Eric in high school because his best friend Eric died in a gun accident when he was fifteen. After Eric’s death, she started calling Eric’s mother “Mom” and even sent her greeting cards on Mother’s Day.
- After joining the US Navy SEALs, Suh wrote an emotional letter to his father on Father’s Day. In the letter he wrote,
We were poor when we were growing up. But we never felt poor because you took us to the beach every day, taught us how to play tennis, and took us to the library.
- According to James’s sister, he was very shy and reserved in his childhood.
- He used to play with GI Joe action figures as a child.
- He liked skateboarding.
- In an interview, Suh’s friend said that he once got into a fight with another student from his school while playing basketball. He further said that despite being comparatively small in stature, James was able to force the student to submit by pressing his neck.
- He was good friends with Navy SEALs Matthew Axelson, Marcus Luttrell, and Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy.
James enjoying a meal with his teammates who took part in Operation Red Wings
- After James was deployed to Hawaii, his father left Deerfield and moved to Hawaii to be near him.
- Following his passing, the University of Florida erected a memorial in his honor outside the ROTC office on the university campus.
A photo of the memorial erected at the University of Florida after his death
- In 2013, a Hollywood film titled Lone Survivor starring Mark Wahlberg was released. Actor Rich Ting played the role of James Eric Suh in the film.
Actor Rich Ting on the set of Lone Survivor (2013)
- In 2014, a monument was built in his honor near Deerfield Beach High School, Florida, where he attended.
- After James Suh was killed in Afghanistan, merchandise in the form of challenge coins began being sold on various online shopping platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart and eBay.
A photo of the James Suh challenge coin
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn