Hawaiian Tribute to SEAL and NIGHT STALKERS dedicated

June 28, 2005, Nineteen American Warriors were killed in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan.  On the fourth anniversary of their deaths, a lasting memorial was dedicated in the park previously known as Triangle Park near Diamond Head Circle, Oahu, Hawaii.  Placed in the newly renamed Operation Red Wings – Medal of Honor Park, plaques preserve their names and recount the action in which they died. 

The Kahala Community Association and Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board joined in supporting City Councilman Charles Djou’s campaign to rename the park, which previously honored Civil War Maj. Gen. Thomas Ruger.   The park was dedicated and renamed Veterans Day, 2008.  At a meeting of the city council, Dennis Gaughan and  Chad Buck, representing SEAL-Naval Special Warfare Foundation-Hawaii; and other Special Armed Force members – Randy West, Kelly LaPorte, and Daniel Rice were introduced.  Councilmember Djou and the Board were thanked for entertaining the proposal to rename the park. From the Foundation’s perspective Operation Red Wing has strong Hawaii connections and recommended the proposed name of “Red Wing – Medal of Honor Park”, or “Operation Red Wing – Medal of Honor Park”.  The Foundation worked closely in the production of the final plaques and the tribute.

 

The pictures that follow are courtesy of Councilman Djou’s office (Thanks Kenny Amazaki, Leg Aide to Councilman Djou), and Sergeant First Class Thomas Nichols.  SFC Nichols  and family were kind enough to recon the park and secure pictures showing the memorial from just the right perspectives.  ARMY comes through again, Thanks, SFC Nichols.  SFC Nichols says the park is about 2 acres with grass and some trees, near the Diamond Head Lighthouse.   Some of you might recognize SFC Nichols from his excellent blog, http://gojackarmy.blogspot.com/ 

As I receive names of dedication participants, I will update the pictures. 

The center plaque, detailing the battle and events on June 28^th reads:

 

Operation Red Wings

Afghanistan June 28, 2005

 

This Park is named in recognition of the substantial Hawaii connection and contribution to Operation red Wings.  On June 28, 2005 Deep behind enemy lines in the remote Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, an elite four-man Navy SEAL team including three SEALs from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was on a reconnaissance mission.  At unforgiving altitudes over 10,000 feet, the SEALs had the vital task of finding Ahmad Shah, a terrorist who grew up in the adjacent mountains to the south.  The SEAL mission was compromised when the team crossed paths with local sheepherders who, after being released as non-combatants by the SEALs, reported their position to the Taliban.

 

Soon, a fierce firefight erupted between the four SEALs and a much larger Taliban Force.  The enemy had the advantage of higher terrain as they launched a three-sided attack on the seals.  The firefight continued relentlessly as the Taliban militia forced the vastly outnumbered SEAL team deeper into a ravine.

 

Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds, Lieutenant Michael Murphy risked his own life to save the lives of this teammates.  Murphy, realizing that calling for support would be impossible from the ravine position, and with complete disregard for his own life, moved into the open to transmit a call to get help for his men.  Away from his position of cover, Murphy was shot again causing him to drop the transmitter.  Purphy picked up the transmitter and completed the call.  Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.

 

An MH-47 Chinook Helicopter, with SEAL team and Army Night Stalker volunteers aboard, was sent in to extract the four embattled SEALs, escorted by heavily armored Army attack helicopters.  Knowing their warrior brothers were badly, shot, surrounded and severely wounded, this rescue team opted to enter the battle by attempting to land in the well-defended and brutally hazardous terrain.  But, as the Chinook raced to the battle, a rocket propelled grenade fatally struck the helicopter, killing all 16 men aboard.

 

On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs, Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz, and Axelson, continued the fight.  By the end of the two-hour gunfight that careened through the mountains and over the cliffs, Murphy, Axelson, and Dietz had been killed while eliminating an estimated 35 Taliban.  Luttrell, the badly wounded fourth seal, evaded and escaped and was later rescued.

 

On this fateful day, Naval Special Warfare Forces experienced the single greatest loss of life in its history, as 11 SEALs and 8 ARMY NIGHT STALKERS were killed in action.  Lieutenant Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

 

We will forever remember June 28, 2005 and the heroic efforts and sacrifices of our Special Operators.  We hold with Reverence the ultimate sacrifice so that others may live in peace and Freedom.

 

NEVER FORGET