Marcus Luttrell

Last updated

Marcus Luttrell
Marcus luttrell 2007.jpg
Luttrell in 2007
Nickname(s)"Southern Boy"
"The One"
"The Lone Survivor"
Born (1975-11-07) November 7, 1975 (age 48)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Navy
Years of service1999–2007
Rank Petty Officer First Class
Unit United States Navy Special Warfare insignia.png United States Navy SEALs
  SEAL Team 5
  SEAL Team 10
  SDV Team 1
Battles/wars Iraq War
  2003 invasion of Iraq
  Battle of Ramadi
War in Afghanistan
  Operation Red Wings  (WIA)
Awards Navy Cross ribbon.svg Navy Cross
Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart BAR.svg Purple Heart
Spouse(s)
Melanie Juneau
(m. 2010)
Relations Morgan (twin brother)
Other work Lone Survivor (2007)

Marcus Luttrell (born November 7, 1975) is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005 against Taliban fighters during Operation Red Wings in which he was the lone survivor. Luttrell became an SO1 by the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy. [1]

Contents

Luttrell co-hosts After Action , a TV show in which former special operations veterans talk about issues in the United States. Glenn Beck is the executive producer of the show, which airs on TheBlaze.

Early life and education

Luttrell was born in Houston, Texas, on November 7, 1975. [2] He began training for the U.S. Navy SEALs at the age of 14, with U.S. Army veteran Billy Shelton, who lived near Luttrell's home. Luttrell trained every day with his twin brother, Morgan, and others who aspired to join the U.S. Navy and other special operations forces. Shelton trained them using various weight and endurance exercises. After high school at Willis High School, Willis, Texas, Luttrell attended Sam Houston State University where he was a member of the Epsilon Zeta chapter of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. [3] He departed school in 1998 without graduating to enlist in the Navy.

Career

Navy SEALs of Operation Red Wings, with Luttrell being the third from the right. Navy SEALs in Afghanistan prior to Red Wing.jpg
Navy SEALs of Operation Red Wings, with Luttrell being the third from the right.

United States Navy

Luttrell enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1999. [4] After graduating from boot camp and Hospital Corpsman A-school, he transferred to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Class 226. However, due to a fractured femur he suffered from falling off a rope, he graduated with BUD/S class 228 on April 21, 2000. [5] After completing BUD/S, Luttrell attended Army jump school and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). Luttrell earned his Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326 Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) and Naval Special Warfare Insignia on February 2, 2001, after completing SQT. He was then sent to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, for the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course. SOCM was an additional six months of advanced training in conventional and unconventional medical skills, ranging from diagnosis and treatment of many conditions to advanced emergency medicine and battlefield life support. [3] [6] He was deployed to Iraq with SEAL Team 5 on April 14, 2003, during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, to root out and destroy leftover Iraqi resistance and joined in the search for WMDs. Afterward, he carried out operations to eliminate or capture terrorists. [7]

He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 with SEAL Team Ten as part of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDV-1). [3] While in Afghanistan, he was involved in Operation Red Wings, during which the four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SDV-1 was noticed by local herdsmen. The team understood that the local herdsmen might reveal their whereabouts to Taliban fighters but also recognized that the herdsmen were unarmed and did not appear to be combatants. Despite the risk, the SEAL team allowed the herdsmen to leave. Soon thereafter, the SEAL team was ambushed, and only Luttrell survived. Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the operation. [3]

During the ambush of Operation Red Wings the four SEALs were attacked from three sides and took fire from RPK machine guns, AK-47s, RPG-7s, and 82mm mortars. The attack forced the SEALs into the northeast gorge of the Shuryek Valley side of Sawtalo Sar. The SEALs made a number of attempts to contact their combat operations center with a PRC-148 MBITR (Multi Band Inter/Intra Team Radio) and then with an Iridium satellite phone. They could not establish consistent communication, however, other than for a period long enough to indicate that they were under attack. Three of the four team members were killed, and Luttrell, the only survivor, was left unconscious with a number of fractures, a broken back, and numerous shrapnel wounds. Members of SEAL Team 10 attempted a rescue during the firefight, but their helicopter was shot down, and all aboard were killed. Luttrell regained consciousness and evaded the pursuing enemy, with the help of local Pashtun villagers, one of them being Mohammad Gulab, who eventually sent an emissary to the nearest U.S. base to secure Luttrell's safe rescue and ultimately saved his life.

Luttrell was rescued on July 2 by Army Rangers and Afghan National Army soldiers in the woods when Gulab and several villagers were trying to get Luttrell to a safe location. United States Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) from the 59th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (305th Rescue Squadron deployed) Josh Appel and Chris Piercecchi were involved in the rescue and recovery of Luttrell. Based on Luttrell's descriptions of the area, Appel and Piercecchi returned to the site of the battle two days later and retrieved the remains of Dietz, Murphy and Axelson.

The target of Operation Red Wings, [2] Mohammad Ismail alias Ahmad Shah, survived the American operation but was killed during a firefight with Pakistani police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April 2008. [8]

After recovering from his injuries, Luttrell returned to full-duty and deployed to Ramadi during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006, as part of SEAL Team Five. He later had his knees blown out and fractured his spine again. These injuries ultimately led to his discharge.

In 2007, Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross by President Bush. The Navy Cross citation text states:

Navy Cross.png

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell, United States 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, 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. By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Luttrell will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Luttrell's courageous and selfless heroism reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [9]

Returning home

Luttrell returned to the U.S. in 2007 [10] and co-authored the New York Times bestseller Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 . [11] A film version, starring Mark Wahlberg, was released on December 25, 2013.

In 2007, Luttrell was medically discharged from the Navy. In 2009, he was granted a medical retirement through the Board for the Correction of Naval Records. [10] Luttrell and his brother Morgan have undergone psychedelic therapy for injuries sustained during their service. [12]

In May 2012, Little, Brown and Company released Luttrell's latest book, co-authored with James D. Hornfischer, Service: A Navy SEAL at War. [13] [14]

Lone Survivor Foundation

In 2010, Luttrell established the Lone Survivor Foundation. The mission of the foundation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is to "restore, empower, and renew hope for our wounded warriors and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support." [15]

Luttrell and The Lone Survivor Foundation partnered with The Boot Campaign [16] to help show tangible appreciation of America's active-duty military, raise awareness of the challenges they face upon return, and support the transition home. [17]

Personal life

Marcus (left) and twin brother Morgan Luttrell, with former Vice President Mike Pence 06292017SE - Unleashing American Energy 315 (35567581872).jpg
Marcus (left) and twin brother Morgan Luttrell, with former Vice President Mike Pence

Luttrell married Melanie Juneau on November 27, 2010, in Texas. [18] [ citation needed ] Their son Axe, named after fallen SEAL comrade Matthew Axelson, was born on May 8, 2011. [19] [ citation needed ] On January 14, 2012, at an event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Luttrell announced that he and his wife were expecting their second child.[ citation needed ] Their daughter, Addie, was born on August 26, 2012. [19] [ citation needed ]

Luttrell's twin brother Morgan Luttrell is also a former Navy SEAL; he left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant. [1] [20] [21] Morgan served as advisor to Energy Secretary Rick Perry during the Donald Trump administration. On November 8, 2022, Morgan was elected to represent Texas's 8th congressional district. [22]

Luttrell endorsed the 2016 presidential campaign of former Texas governor Rick Perry [23] and was present, alongside his twin brother Morgan, at Perry's formal announcement on June 4, 2015. [24] Luttrell spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump. [25]

DASY

As part of Luttrell's recuperation he was given a yellow Labrador puppy, whom he named DASY. Each letter of the name "DASY" represents one of the members of his team—Danny Dietz, Matthew "Axe" Axelson, Southern boy (Marcus), and Michael "Yankee" Murphy. DASY was given to Luttrell during his recovery, to help him through rehabilitation. [26]

On April 1, 2009, at approximately 1:00 A.M., four men approached Luttrell's property and killed DASY with a .357 Magnum revolver. [26] [27] Luttrell proceeded to chase the individuals through four counties, in his truck, armed with two 9 mm Berettas, until Onalaska Police apprehended the individuals. [28] Upon arrest, the suspects verbally threatened Luttrell's life and taunted him. [27] Alfonso Hernandez was arrested on-scene for driving without a valid driver's license and later was charged with animal cruelty. [29] Michael Edmonds turned himself in on April 7, was booked, and posted bond on the same charge. The other two individuals were not indicted. The males are also suspects in the killings of other neighborhood dogs. [26] On November 29, 2011, Luttrell posted on his page that "Court date on Thursday for DASY's killer's I'll keep y'all posted on what happens. It's only been almost 3 years glad it's finally here" and again on December 1, 2011, saying they were found guilty. [30]

On March 7, 2012, Alfonso Hernandez was given the maximum sentence of two years in a state jail, for the felony charge of animal cruelty, and was fined $1,000. After his guilty plea and testimony against Hernandez, Michael John Edmonds was sentenced to five years probation and fined $1,000 for the same offense. At the sentencing, Luttrell testified that he was “still pretty upset” about the killing of DASY and that he felt both defendants should have gotten the maximum sentence. [31]

Operation Red Wings controversy

There is some conflict over the exact number of Taliban forces involved in the engagement. Luttrell filed an official after-action report in which he estimated the size of the Taliban force to be around 20–35. He claims in his book that his team were told in their briefing that around 80 to 200 fighters were expected to be in the area. [3] Initial intel estimates were approximately 10 to 20. [32] Official media reports from the military estimated that the Taliban force was around 20 as well, while the Navy cited 30–40 enemies in the Medal of Honor citation for LT Michael P. Murphy. [33] In the Summary of Action related to the same Medal of Honor, the Navy cites an "enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia". [34] Ed Darack cites a military intelligence report in his book Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalers, stating that the Taliban force was 8–10, compared to the 80–200 claimed by Luttrell in Lone Survivor. The military intelligence estimate cited by Darack is based on research from intelligence reports and aerial and eye-witness studies of the battlefield after the fact, including the men sent in to rescue Luttrell, as well as reports from Afghan intelligence. [32] [35] [36]

Luttrell claimed in Lone Survivor that Murphy considered executing the unarmed civilians who stumbled upon the SEAL reconnaissance team and even put it to a vote, but this has been criticized and dismissed by many as fiction. Navy Special Warfare Command spokesman Lieutenant Steve Ruh stated that "the senior guy ultimately has the ultimate authority" for making decisions in the field. He also stated that "this is the first time I've ever heard of anything put to a vote like that. In my 14 years of Navy experience, I've never seen or heard of anything like that." [37] Murphy's father claims in the June 12, 2007 article "Survivor's book dishonors son's memory" in Newsday that his son would never have considered executing unarmed civilians, let alone putting such a grave decision up for a vote. Military protocol and rules of engagement strictly forbid harming unarmed non-combatant civilians. [38] [39] [40]

Mohammad Gulab, the Afghan villager who rescued Luttrell, also disputes Luttrell's version of the story. Luttrell claims that he fired off nearly all of his rounds, but Gulab said that he was found with all 11 magazines of ammunition. [41] Gulab also said that the Taliban heard the helicopter drop off the SEAL team, then tracked their footprints. When the Taliban found them, they were debating about what to do with the herdsmen, so they held back. After they released them, the Taliban decided to attack. Gulab claims that the locals heard the firefight, searched the hills afterward, and found no Taliban corpses. Andrew MacMannis is a former Marine Colonel who helped plan the mission and was on location for the recovery operation, and he says that there were no reports of any enemy casualties. Two videos that the Taliban shot during the firefight only show seven men in Ahmad Shah's militia. [41] [42] Gulab claims that he was never given the chance to tell his side of the story, and that his interpreter before a 60 Minutes interview told him, "Whatever Marcus says in the interview, say yes." [41]

Awards and decorations

Luttrell has received the below awards. [43] [1] [44]

Films

Literature

Television

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Special Warfare Command</span> Naval component of United States Special Operations Command

The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (USNSWC), also known as NAVSPECWARCOM and WARCOM, is the naval component of United States Special Operations Command, the unified command that oversees and conducts the nation's special operations and missions.

Patrick Robinson is a British novelist and newspaper columnist.

Operation Red Wings, informally referred to as the Battle of Abbas Ghar, was a joint military operation conducted by the United States in the Pech District of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. It was carried out from late-June to mid-July 2005 on the slopes of a mountain named Sawtalo Sar, situated approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of the provincial capital of Asadabad. The operation was intended to disrupt the activities of local Taliban-aligned anti-coalition militias (ACM), thus contributing to regional stability and thereby facilitating the September 2005 parliamentary election for the National Assembly of Afghanistan. At the time, Taliban ACM activity in the region was carried out predominantly by a small group led by a local man from Nangarhar Province known as Ahmad Shah, who had aspirations of achieving regional prominence among Muslim fundamentalists. Consequently, Shah and his group were one of the primary targets of the American military operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen C. Reich</span> American baseball player

Major Stephen C. Reich was an American soldier and Minor League Baseball player who was killed in action while on a rescue mission in Afghanistan at age 34. Reich played for the "Team USA" baseball team in 1993, and has more wins than any other pitcher in the history of the United States Military Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael P. Murphy</span> United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient (1976–2005)

Michael Patrick Murphy was a United States Navy SEAL officer who was awarded the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. He was the first member of the United States Navy to receive the award since the Vietnam War. His other posthumous awards include the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

Ahmad Shah was an Afghan militant leader who commanded a group of fighters operating in eastern Afghanistan and was linked to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik S. Kristensen</span> United States Navy officer (1972–2005)

Erik Samsel Kristensen was a lieutenant commander of the United States Navy SEALs who was killed in action during Operation Red Wings. He and several other SEALs set off as part of a search and rescue mission, hoping to assist a four-man SEAL team that was engaged in a firefight with Taliban fighters.

The Korangal Valley campaign was a series of military operations conducted by ISAF forces against Taliban and other local insurgents in the Korangal Valley in Kunar province, Afghanistan, from October 2004 to April 2010. The campaign ended with a US withdrawal from the valley, after suffering heavy casualties, and a Taliban takeover of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Afghanistan Boeing Chinook shootdown</span> Attack on a U.S. military helicopter in Tangi Valley, Maidan Wardak Province

On 6 August 2011, a U.S. CH-47D Chinook military helicopter operating with the call sign Extortion 17 was shot down while transporting a Quick Reaction Force attempting to reinforce a Joint Special Operations Command unit of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the Tangi Valley in Maidan Wardak province, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan.

Operation Whalers was a United States Marine Corps military operation that took place in Afghanistan's Kunar Province, between August 13 and August 18, 2005, just weeks after the disastrous Operation Red Wings. Like Operation Red Wings, the objective of Operation Whalers was the disruption of Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) activity in the region in support of further stabilizing the region for unencumbered voter turnout for the September 18, 2005 Afghan national parliamentary elections.

<i>Victory Point</i> 2009 book by Ed Darack on War in Afghanistan

Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalers - The Marine Corps' Battle for Freedom in Afghanistan is a nonfiction book by author Ed Darack published in hardcover in 2009 and in paperback in 2010 by The Berkley Publishing Group, an imprint of The Penguin Publishing Group. Victory Point comprehensively documents Operation Red Wings and Operation Whalers, two historically significant military operations that took place in the summer of 2005 in the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar Province.

<i>Lone Survivor</i> (book) 2007 book by Marcus Luttrell

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 (2007) is a non-fiction book written by Marcus Luttrell with assistance from novelist and ghostwriter Patrick Robinson and published by Little, Brown and Company. The narrative takes place in Afghanistan, following Luttrell and a group of U.S. Navy SEALs. It has since seen a 2013 film adaptation of the same name, with Mark Wahlberg starring as Luttrell.

<i>Lone Survivor</i> 2013 film by Peter Berg

Lone Survivor is a 2013 American biographical war film based on the 2007 nonfiction book of the same name by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson. Set during the war in Afghanistan, it dramatizes the unsuccessful United States Navy SEALs counter-insurgent mission Operation Red Wings, during which a four-man SEAL reconnaissance and surveillance team was given the task of tracking down the Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. The film was written and directed by Peter Berg, and stars Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, and Eric Bana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Darack</span> American author and photographer

Ed Darack is an American author and photographer. He is the author of The Final Mission of Extortion 17, about the August 6, 2011 downing of Extortion 17, Victory Point: Operations Red Wings and Whalers – The Marine Corps' Battle for Freedom in Afghanistan, about Operation Red Wings and Operation Whalers, two American military operations that took place in 2005 in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar Province. He is the author of three other books in addition to Victory Point, including 6194: Denali Solo and Wind - Water - Sun: A Solo Kayak Journey Along Baja California's Desert Coastline. Darack is also an author of magazine articles about a range of subjects, a photographer published in media throughout the world, and a cartographer.

<i>13 Hours</i> (book) 2014 historical book by Mitchell Zuckoff

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi is a 2014 historical book by American author Mitchell Zuckoff that depicts the terrorist attack by Islamist militants at the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012. The book is an account from the point of view of the compound's defenders and does not address any of the political controversy surrounding the attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Byers</span> US Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient (born 1979)

Edward C. Byers Jr. is a retired United States Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor on February 29, 2016, for the rescue of a civilian in Afghanistan in 2012. Byers retired after 21 years of service on September 19, 2019, at the Washington Navy Yard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Dietz</span> US Navy SEAL and recipient of the Navy Cross (1980–2005)

Danny Phillip Dietz Jr. was a Navy SEAL who was awarded the U.S. Navy's second-highest decoration, the Navy Cross, along with the Purple Heart, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Axelson</span> Recipient of the Navy Cross

Matthew Gene "Axe" Axelson was an enlisted United States Navy SEAL who was awarded the U.S. Navy's second highest decoration, the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart, for his actions during the War in Afghanistan. Serving as a sniper in the operation, Axelson was killed in action during the firefight phase of Operation Red Wings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Marcus Luttrell". Navy Seals. 2016. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2008. In 2006, Petty Officer Luttrell was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism.
  2. 1 2 Marcus Luttrell; Patrick Robinson (June 12, 2007). Lone survivor: the eyewitness account of Operation Redwing and the lost heroes of SEAL Team 10. Hachette Digital, Inc. pp. 27–. ISBN   978-0-316-06759-1 . Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Luttrell, Marcus; Patrick Robinson (March 2006). Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 . Back Bay Books. ISBN   0-316-06759-8.
  4. "Bio". Marcus Luttrell.
  5. Couch, Dick (2003). The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228. Crown. ISBN   978-1400046959.
  6. SEAL of Honor: Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN by Gary Williams (pg. 135)
  7. "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 [Audio Download]". amazon.co.uk. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  8. Matt Dupee (April 17, 2008). "Bara bin Malek Front commander killed in Pakistani shootout". long war journal. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  9. "Navy Cross Citation". The Hall Of Valor Project. 2007. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  10. 1 2 Engel, Mac (January 9, 2014). "Uncomfortable questions with SEAL Marcus Luttrell". The Big Mac Blog. Dallas, Texas: Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved June 5, 2015. Medical papers went through in '09. Came off the line in '07.
  11. "The New York Times Bestseller List, July 1, 2007" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  12. Gorman, Reese (September 27, 2023). "House approves funding for a study on using psychedelic therapy for veterans". Washington Examiner. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  13. Luttrell, Marcus. "Service". Little Brown & Company. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  14. Luttrell, Marcus; Hornfischer, James D. (2012). Service: A Navy SEAL at War . Little, Brown. ISBN   978-0-316-18536-3 . Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  15. "Lone Survivor Foundation". Lone Survivor Foundation. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  16. "Help the Boot Girls support American soldiers by purchasing combat boots!". Boot Campaign. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  17. "The Boot Campaign Mission: Support returning U.S. Soldiers through proceeds raised from Boot sales". Boot Campaign. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  18. Nottingham, Melissa (December 26, 2013). "Melanie Juneau Luttrell". Daily Entertainment News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  19. 1 2 Nottingham, Melissa (December 26, 2013). "Melanie Juneau Luttrell - The Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell's Wife". Daily Entertainment News. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  20. Slavin, Erik (June 7, 2010). "He epitomizes what a SEAL is". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  21. Alexander, Bryan (December 30, 2013). "Marcus Luttrell: Dealing with 'Lone Survivor' wounds". USA Today. Retrieved June 5, 2015. as Marcus wanted his twin brother Morgan, also a SEAL, to return from duty in Iraq to attend the wedding.
  22. "Morgan Luttrell elected US House Representative for Texas's 8th District". myfoxhouston.com. November 8, 2022.
  23. Christine Mai-Duc. "Coming up: Marcus Luttrell, former Navy SEAL who previously endorsed Rick Perry for president". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  24. "Rick Perry 'Surrounded by Heroes' at 2016 Announcement - ABC Video". abcnews.com . Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  25. "Ex-SEAL Marcus Luttrell's entire GOP convention speech - CNN Video". cnn.com . Retrieved July 19, 2016. Speaking at the Republican National Convention, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell made a plea for better treatment of U.S. veterans and explained why he is supporting Jman Trump for president.
  26. 1 2 3 Glenn Beck (April 6, 2009). "Glenn Beck: Teen punks murder American hero's dog". Glenn Beck.com. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  27. 1 2 Schiller, Dane (April 9, 2009). "Survivor of war loses dog to random violence". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  28. "War hero helps nab suspects in dog killing". MSNBC. Associated Press. April 9, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  29. Brown, Joe (April 8, 2009). "Alleged Dog Shooters Chased Down by War Hero". KBTX-TV . Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  30. Stark, Cody (December 2, 2011). "Man convicted in death of war hero's dog". The Huntsville Item.
  31. Stark, Cody (March 7, 2012). "New Waverly man gets max for shooting war hero's dog". The Huntsville Item. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  32. 1 2 Darack, Ed (January 2011), "Operation Red Wings: What Really Happened?", Marine Corps Gazette: 62–65, archived from the original on January 19, 2011, retrieved June 13, 2011
  33. Official Citation, Navy.mil, June 28, 2005, archived from the original on January 13, 2009, retrieved June 13, 2011
  34. Summary of Action, Navy.mil, June 28, 2005, archived from the original on January 14, 2014, retrieved June 13, 2011
  35. C, Eric, On Violence: He Got the Title Wrong? And 6 More Mistakes from Luttrell's "Lone Survivor.", OnViolence.com, retrieved February 6, 2012
  36. Ricks, Tom, "'Lone Survivor' smackdown", The Best Defense, Ricks.foreignpolicy.com, retrieved June 13, 2011
  37. Naylor, Sean D. (June 18, 2007). "Surviving SEAL tells story of deadly mission". Army Times . Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  38. Scan of the CJTF-76 (Combined Joint Task Force 76) ROE (Rules of Engagement) Card, With Majority of Rules Blanked Out, And Relevant Rule on Civilians Left for Viewing, Darack.com, retrieved February 6, 2012
  39. Rothfeld, Michael (June 12, 2007). "Survivor's book dishonors son's memory". Newsday . Retrieved July 21, 2008. NOTE: Original not available, but cached at the site "Shadowspear".
  40. Darack, Ed (May 2010). "Operation Red Wings Misinformation". darack.com. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  41. 1 2 3 "MARCUS LUTTRELL'S SAVIOR, MOHAMMAD GULAB, CLAIMS 'LONE SURVIVOR' GOT IT WRONG". Newsweek. May 11, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  42. "How Accurate Is Lone Survivor?". Slate. January 10, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  43. "Marcus A. Luttrell". veterantributes.org. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  44. "LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY – United States Navy". United States Navy. 2007. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  45. "Lone Survivor". IMDB. 2013.
  46. "Lone Survivor True Story vs Movie – Real Marcus Luttrell, Mike Murphy". Historyvshollywood.com. Retrieved April 14, 2014.