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The Only Survivor
June 12, 2007
[UPDATE] Here is the link to a video of Marcus’s interview with Today’s Matt Lauer.
Close your eyes for a moment and attempt to place yourself in this scenario. You’re a member of an elite group in the US Armed Forces. You and your teammates (there’s just 4 of you) have been dropped into a remote and dangerous area and given the mission of finding and capturing or killing an enemy leader. But something goes wrong… terribly wrong. Suddenly you come across some locals, unarmed locals. Your team has a decision to make. Should you kill them? Doing so would go against military rules of engagement. Should you let them go and hope they didn’t alert the enemy to your presence? Imagine now that one of your teammates wanted to kill them, one wanted to let them go and the third chose not go vote one way or the other, so it was up to you to cast the deciding vote. What would you do?
One man, the lone survivor of these 4 men, made a decision. A decision which haunts him to this day. In the end he chose not to kill the unarmed civilians and let them go free. A short time later, enemy fighters overran him and his teammates, and this man believes that the civilians whose lives they had spared, had alerted the enemy. After a fierce 2 hour battle, only this man remained alive. Severely injured, but alive. He face was scored by lacerations and bloodied, his nose was broken and he had 3 cracked vertebrae from tumbling down a ravine. His clothing was tattered and mostly missing, after an enemy RPG tore off his pants and savaged his body with shrapnel.
Imagine how alone he felt. How terrified of being discovered by the enemy. Imagine him second-guessing the decision he had made, the guilt he was feeling at the deaths of his teammates. Imagine the thoughts running through his head, as he struggled for survival. Imagine the anger and thoughts of revenge that raced through his mind. Imagine fighting to stay alive. Imagine what would be going through your head in those moments.
Imagine, watching in horror as an enemy rocket shot down the helicopter that was sent to rescue you and your teammates. Imagine the loss of hope you might feel. Imagine how powerless you might feel. Imagine, in the still that followed the crash of the helicopter, the thoughts you might have. Imagine not giving in to hopelessness and gathering your resolve to survive. Imagine being unable to walk or to run to safety, but instead having to drag yourself, leaving a bloody trail behind your body. Imagine the strains of Toby Keith’s “American Soldier†going through your head… “I’ll bear that cross with honor, because freedom don’t come free…â€
You’re probably asking yourself, who this servicemember is. You’re probably thinking that this story seems vaguely familiar. Yes, this story should be familiar to you. Many of you may recall stories that I’ve done, on March 14th and April 6th about one of his teammates. This soldier, Navy Petty Officer First Class Mark Luttrell, is the surviving member of Navy Seal Team 10, which was comprised of himself, Lt. Michael Murphy, Petty Officer Matthew Axelson and Petty Officer Danny Dietz who were given the mission, code-named Operation Redwing, to capture or kill Ahmad Shah, a Taliban leader believed to have close ties to Osama bin Laden.
Navy Petty Officer First Class Marcus Luttrell has written about this experience, the Heroes he served with on that fateful mission, the Afghan civilians who found and protected him and the Heroes who rescued him, in a book, which was released today. That book is titled, “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account Of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10.†I pre-ordered the book yesterday and will hopefully receive it soon. I plan to give a review of it, once it arrives and I’ve had the opportunity to read it. This is a story, which deserves to be told. This is a story of heroism, bravery, danger, courage, grief, painful loss and finally a story of hope. Order your copy of Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10 by clicking on the title. Please keep Marcus Luttrell as well as his fallen commrades in your thoughts and prayers.
[UPDATE] Matt over at Blackfive also has a story up about Marcus Luttrell’s book.
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39 Responses to “The Only Survivor”
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Yet another reason to leave where we are not wanted.
{ignoring Sharon}
I am looking forward to reading this book once the library gets it in.
Perhaps you should read the book Sharon instead of making judgements about something you know nothing about.
“A short time later, enemy fighters overran him and his teammates, and this man believes that the civilians whose lives they had spared, had alerted the enemy.”
I rest my case.
Sharon, as usual, you tend to attempt to twist things around to suit your agenda. Read the book and see what Mark Luttrell has to say about our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, because I bet he addresses those very issues. Just the little bit I’ve read about Marcus is inspiring to me. PUT YOURSELF IN HIS PLACE, instead of in your cozy little chair in front of your computer screen.
Does that mean that all civilians in these countries are doing the same thing? NO, not even close. If you actually take the time to read this blog and read the stories of the citizens working hand and hand with our Troops, then you’d know that. That tells me Sharon, that the citizens of those countries are tiring of the insurgents and the death and destruction that follows in their wake, and have instead decided that the presence of our Troops, is something that brings them hope for a better life for themselves and their children.
Sharon, it also says that some Afghan civilians found and protected him. Those actions seem to show that those particular civilians wanted him there/alive. You only seem to see what you want to see.
Isn’t that the truth Tracy. Typical habit that Sharon seems to practice frequently.
Let’s conduct a poll, ’cause obviously there is a split of opinion among the civilians.
I’m sure that there is Sharon, just like there’s a difference of opinion among Americans. It’s obvious that some are glad to see us in Iraq and Afghanistan and some are not, or we wouldn’t have enemies we were fighting there, now would we?
Sheeeeeeeeesh! I take a few hours out and sos still going on. Sharon? Are you completely nuts? Maybe you live on a different planet to me but really, get a grip. Just because the terrorists make the news and the rest of the Iraqis never make the news, does NOT mean Iraqis or Afghanistans do not want help - do not want us there.
I know it’s a waste of time, because you will only ever read what you want to, but what I read tells ME that the majority - get that? - MAJORITY want and need the troops there.
I really resent you coming in here (or anywhere for that matter) where WE are discussing, in this instance, ONE MAN, one book, and smear his name and his fellow soliders’ names just to make your usual assinine pronouncements.
And thanks for the story Terri. I, for one, can’t wait to read this book. What little I have heard of him, already, makes me GRATEFUL that such men do what they do. Men such as these are the ‘ones’ make America great.
Bless them all!
Amen Brat! Thank God there are men such as Marcus Luttrell (his twin brother is also a Navy Seal, his brother and men like him, who are willing to stand between the innocent and all that is evil.
I watched Mark Luttrell with Matt Lauer on Today Show. “I died there”, says Mark. I believe he did, but the shell of the man we see now is not hollow. Cheers for Mark. He made a decision which will haunt him, and cost the lives of his comrads, but the will of kindness and compassion was his intent.
I look forward to reading Mark’s thoughts and words of experience. Death is never about me or you, but about those we leave behind.
Love ya Mark !
I too saw the interview Malanie and have it posted here. I hope that some day Marcus can eventually come to terms with this not blame continue to himself for what occurred and he’s no more at fault for what happened than the other person who also voted to let the civilians go free. Instead the fault must lie with the civilians who alerted the enemy to their location and the evilness in the hearts of the enemy fighters.
Terri, I have heard the story. Yet, listening to the interview I was moved to tears. Hugs out to you Marcus. We really do love you.
I will be linking to your post. Excellent article!
[...] Another Hero With today being the day I like to spot-light our Heroes, I thought it fitting to tie in to the post on A Soldier’s Mind: Close your eyes for a moment and attempt to place yourself in this scenario. You’re a member of an elite group in the US Armed Forces. You and your teammates (there’s just 4 of you) have been dropped into a remote and dangerous area and given the mission of finding and capturing or killing an enemy leader. But something goes wrong… terribly wrong. Suddenly you come across some locals, unarmed locals. Your team has a decision to make. Should you kill them? Doing so would go against military rules of engagement. Should you let them go and hope they didn’t alert the enemy to your presence? Imagine now that one of your teammates wanted to kill them, one wanted to let them go and the third chose not go vote one way or the other, so it was up to you to cast the deciding vote. What would you do? … click here to read the rest of the article written by Terri [...]
You’re right CavMom, Marcus is a Hero and we do love him.
[...] after I wrote this about Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor of Seal Team 10, that was inserted into the mountains of [...]
[...] after I wrote this about Marcus Luttrell, the lone survivor of Seal Team 10, that was inserted into the mountains of [...]
[...] Thanks to Haole who so kindly stopped by to update us on Marcus Luttrell’s book tour, I was given the itenery for his next stops. If you’re in any of these areas, PLEASE take the time to stop by, shake Marcus’s hand and THANK him for his service and his sacrifices. He will be in my area within the next couple of weeks and I plan to be there to get my book signed. I’ll even take along the 5 copies that will be given as prizes for our Essay Contest, so that each winner receives an AUTOGRAPHED copy of the book. If you’ve not read the write-up I did about Marcus’s book, the day it was released, or would just like to re-read it, you can access it by going here. [...]
[...] the execution, to the post mission. Many people were involved in the dangerous mission to extract Marcus Luttrell from enemy territory. We’ve already featured one of those Heroes, Major Jeff [...]
Don’t used this man’s heroism as a political platform.I haven’t read yhe book but I will soon and I get a sense of pride reading anything about this man.Left wingers,go away.
Believe me Miles we don’t and WON’T use Marcus’ story as a political platform. Actually we try to steer clear of politics altogether. This blog is about the GREAT things our Troops are doing.
The book is a fantastic tribute to Marcus’ fallen commrades and gives you a clear picture of the bravey and heroism of the men and women serving in our country’s Armed Forces. It’s a book that you can’t put down until you’re finished with it. I recommend it to anyone.
I just finished the book and can’t stop thinking about it. I am the wife of an army ranger who served in Vietnam and my son is an army ranger as well. I was wondering how to get an autography copy of the book for my son. If anyone has an address or email address for Marcus, I’d like to request a book if possible. I don’t see that Marcus will be at any book signings this fall. Does anyone have any information? Thanks.
Marilyn, we do know that Marcus will be at the Texas Book Festival, in Austin in November. Perhaps if you’re nearby, you can attend and get the book signed then. If not, send me an email, as I plan to attend and could get it signed for you.
No, we are far from TX, we live in MD, outside of Baltimore. That would be wonderful if you are able to get a copy. Tell Marcus that my son is a ranger, he was in Iraq when Marcus was in Afghanistan at that time but he knows the rangers that found Marcus. God surely has big plans for Marcus. He is our hero and not these sports figures and movie stars some worship. Thank you.
My pleasure Marilyn. Email me at , if you’d like to have the book personalized.
[...] of you have followed closely the stories I’ve done on Marcus Luttrell and his book, Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account Of Operation Redwing And The Lost Heroes Of [...]
[...] introduced you to Marcus Luttrell and his story of the Lost Heroes of Navy SEAL Team 10 in his book Lone [...]
After reading this book I felt such a sense of pride for our elite special forces and the men who serve us. Without these special men our country would have little else to fall back on. Sharon rott in your uneducated liberal hell.
Sharon is a poor excuse for an American. No matter what your political view, we all need to support our boys who are separated from their warm beds and loving families so that we can safely sit here and say whatever the hell we please.
1) He goes where he is told not necessarily where he wants to go
2) He does the job he is tasked to do, though to follow through may mean his, or others, life
3) And as a result, either directly or through a sequence of events, your life may benefit and you will never probably know it
What is your deal. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Just read the book, wow. For those who enjoy the liberties and freedoms that men like this do BY CHOICE, you sure have alot of nerve to question, or even doubt their heartfelt love of their country. Rember, its not the soldier, yet the politician who starts these wars. My hats off to all those serving their country,
Im writing this in the hope that this brave man will see it, Mark……..your sacrafice does not go un-noticed.
The issue is not if we should be somewhere or not. I tend to lean towards not being there and just pave these places. This enemy has been there for 1000s of years and they are caught in a time that is no longer. Am i seriously supposed to belive that a bunch of men in a cave masterminded 911?? Sorry…..Im not part of the “Great Unwashed” and I dont feel that
I wish I was 10 years younger and on that ridge with Mark and his buddies., Had I been…I would have done those 3 Goat heards right there and takin the rap.
Read this book. Its a History Lesson for all the non belivers. We ALL NEED to support guys like Mark. Its not important why they are there. They are there by choice. The way these guys fought had inspired me to be a better American.
Thats a title all of people take for granted.,
Thank God there are still brave people who love this country. People like Sharon are like a thorn in our sides.
I’m just reading the book now, and I just can’t put it down. The price paid by all of these superb young men is overwhelming, and I am very grateful for their service.
I would be honored to meet Marcus, and I would like to help arrange a motivational speaking engagement. How can I do this?
I would bet money on Sharon being pro-abortion.
@VTSharon - If your not thankful for the men and women of our services..especially one’s like Marcus then you can leave america. because your not wanted. Not everyone over there wants us gone…just the sorry bastards that are terrorist and like to torture kids and instill fear in the pashtuns…read the book.
@VTSharon - your an idiot