Matthew Axelson (1976-2005) was an American US Navy SEAL sniper, who was part of the the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1), which was involved in Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan in 2005. In June 2005, Axelson lost his life during Operation Red Wings as a result of which he was posthumously awarded the U.S. Navy’s second highest decoration, the Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Matthew Gene Axelson was born on Friday, 25 June 1976 (age 29 years; at the time of death) in Cupertino, California, the United States of America. His zodiac sign is Cancer.
A childhood photo of Matthew Axelson (right) with his elder brother Jeff
After completing his schooling at the Monta Vista High School in California, Axelson enrolled at the San Diego State University, where he studied for a year. Thereafter, he enrolled at the California State University Chico, where he majored in political science. Matthew decided to join the United States Navy after a friend, who was a US Navy SEAL, motivated him to become a SEAL.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eye Colour: Blue
Family
Matthew Axelson belongs to a Christian family in the US.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Cordell Axelson, and his mother’s name is Donna Axelson.
A photo of Donna and Cordell Axelson
He has an elder brother named Jeffrey Axelson (also known as Jeff), who founded Axelson Tactical in memory of Matthew.
A photo of Jeff Axelson
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Cindy Oji Axelson. He got married to her on 27 December 2003. She served as the program director of the SEAL Family Foundation and presides over the Matthew Axelson Foundation. Cindy talked about her marriage with Matthew and said,
He proposed and we got married two days after Christmas (in 2003) because that was the only time the Navy could guarantee that he would be anywhere.”
Cindy holding the portrait of her and Matthew taken during their wedding
Relationships/Affairs
Matthew started dating Cindy while studying at the San Diego State University.
Matthew Axelson with Cindy in a photo
Career
Training Phase
Matthew joined the US Navy’s boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Chicago, Illinois, in December 2000. After completing his military training at the boot camp, he enlisted in the STG “A” School in Chicago, Illinois, where he underwent specialised training as a Sonar Technician – Surface. Thereafter, he enrolled in the Class 237 and underwent the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) to become a US Navy SEAL. Later, he reported at the United States Army Airborne School, also known as Jump School, in Fort Moore, Georgia, where he underwent basic paratrooper (military parachutist) training.
A photo of Axelson taken while he was undergoing SEAL training
He later underwent SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) for 26 weeks as well as the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Training. Thereafter, he received the Insignia for Naval Special Warfare, also known as the SEAL team trident badge. Afterwards, he went to the SEAL Sniper school in Indiana, where he was trained as a marksman.
A photo of Axelson taken while he was undergoing the sniper training course
Deployed in Hawaii
After completing his rigorous special forces training, Axelson was sent to Hawaii, where he joined the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 (SDVT-1) in December 2002.
Deployed in Afghanistan
In April 2005, Axelson was sent to Afghanistan as a part of the SDVT-1. Their mission was to assist the NATO forces in their efforts against global terrorism.
Matthew Axelson with his friend while he was deployed in Afghanistan
Operation Red Wings
On 28 June 2005, a four-man SEAL team, consisting of Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Petty Officer Second Class Danny Dietz, Petty Officer Second Class Matthew Axelson, and Petty Officer Second Class Marcus A. Luttrell, was deployed in the mountains of the Kunar Province in Afghanistan, tasked with gathering intelligence and killing/capturing a high-ranking Taliban leader named Ahmad Shah who was reportedly hiding in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan.
A photo of Ahmed Shah
Matthew Axelson’s photo with his team
However, their mission was compromised when they were discovered by a group of local goat herders. According to Marcus Luttrell’s book, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, the team faced a critical decision whether to kill the herders and continue their mission or release them and abort. Choosing the latter, they let the herders go, but soon after, they were ambushed by a large Taliban force after the herders informed the Taliban about the presence of the SEALs as soon as they were let go. By the time the firefight ended, Murphy, Dietz, and Axelson were killed in action. Marcus Luttrell survived, but he was severely injured. Marcus’ account of the goat herders informing the Taliban was refuted by Mohammad Gulab Khan, a resident of the Salar Ban village, Kunar Province, who saved the injured Luttrell from the Taliban. According to Gulab, the sound of the rotors of the helicopter that dropped the 4-man SEAL team in the mountains warned the enemy fighters in the mountains. Talking about it, in an interview, Gulab said,
The militants, like many others in the area, heard the helicopter drop the Americans on the mountain, Gulab claims. The next morning, they began searching for the SEAL’s distinctive footprints. When the militants finally found them, the Americans were deliberating about what to do with the goat herders. The insurgents held back. After Marcus Luttrell and the company freed the locals, the gunmen waited for the right moment to strike.”
A collage of the soldiers of the US Armed Forces killed in Operation Red Wings
For his actions during Operation Red Wings, Axelson was awarded a Navy Cross and the Purple Heart posthumously.
Military Decorations
- Navy Cross (Posthumous) (13 September 2006)
Matthew Axelson’s Navy Cross citation
- Purple Heart (Posthumous)
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 Service star
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
- Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
- Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Honours & Legacy
- A life-sized bronze statue of Dietz, with his rifle resting on one knee in a ‘defensive kneeling’ pose, was erected in Cupertino, California, on 11 November 2007. The statue also featured his Navy Cross citation.
Matthew Axelson’s bronze statue erected after his death
- The Pacific Beacon housing complex at Naval Base San Diego was renamed The Axelson Building on 3 November 2015. A display box was also established in the lobby of the building to hold some of Axelson’s belongings as a dedication.
- On 13 November 2015, the San Diego State University inscribed his name on the university’s war memorial and recognized him as an alumnus.
- In October 2019, a bill was proposed in the Senate to change the name of the post office located in Cupertino, California, to the “Petty Officer 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew G. Axelson Post Office Building.” The bill was passed on 14 September 2020, resulting in the renaming of the building.
- In his honour, in 2016, Axelson Tactical, owned by Matthew’s elder brother, unveiled a limited-edition rifle, which was similar to the rifle Axelson carried during Operation Red Wings. The company later collaborated with Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell’s Team Never Quit Ammunition for a giveaway of the rifle and a thousand rounds of ammunition to raise money to aid the Special Operations Wounded Warriors charity.
A photo of the replica of Matthew’s rifle made by Axelson Tactical
- After his death, his family members established the Matthew Axelson Foundation in California with the intent of helping the distressed and disabled war veterans of the US Armed Forces.
- His rifle and battle gear, which he wore during Operation Red Wings, was exhibited to the public in a museum in his hometown after his death.
A picture of Matthew’s combat gear in the museum
Death
Matthew Axelson was killed in action during Operation Red Wings in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 28 June 2005. According to sources, Axelson was grievously wounded while engaging the enemy fighters in a firefight during Operation Red Wings. He suffered several gunshot wounds on his chest and other parts of the body. He was killed when a bullet him in the head. Axelson’s body was recovered by a team of US Navy SEALs conducting a combat, search, and rescue operation in the Kunar Province on 10 June 2005.
A US Navy SEAL officer presenting a folded American flag to Cindy during Matthew’s funeral
He was buried at the Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, California, with full military honours on 28 June 2005.
A photo of Matthew Axelson’s grave at the at the Glen Oaks Memorial Park
Car Collection
He owned a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette.
A photo of Matthew Axelson taken with his 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
Facts/Trivia
- His friends and family affectionately referred to him as Matt, Mikey, and Axe.
- He also went by the names Matthew “Axe” Axelson and Matt “Axe” Axelson.
- Matthew enjoyed playing soccer. He joined his school’s swimming team at the age of 5. He also played golf in high school and represented his school in numerous competitions.
- Matthew passionately followed his hobby of reading. History was his favourite subject.
- Actor Ben Foster portrayed the role of Matthew Axelson in the 2013 Hollywood film Lone Survivor.
Ben Foster as Matthew Axelson in the film Lone Survivor
- According to his father, Matthew had planned on rebuilding his father’s old Triumph TR6 after returning from Afghanistan for which he even sent a building manual as a gift to his father.
- In 2014, his elder brother, Jeffrey Axelson, published A Brother’s Search for an American Warrior. The book was based on Matt’s life.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn