Marcus Luttrell

Adrian Rong

Mrs. Christopher

HHSE2 : Period 2

28 May 2018

The Lone Survivor

June 27, 2005. Operation Red Wings had begun. Under the cover of darkness, four U.S. Navy SEALS boarded a MH-47 Chinook helicopter that would take them to their landing zone, a mountaintop in the Korengal Valley located in northeastern Afghanistan. Hours after the SEALS landed, hundreds insurgents attacked them. In the end, all the SEALS were killed except for one. His name was Marcus Luttrell. When Luttrell returned home, he told Americans across the country about his incredible story of survival. Luttrell went on to show his selflessness by setting up the Lone Survivor Foundation, which provided help for veterans who suffered from mental problems due to intense combat. Marcus Luttrell inspires me is a true hero because of his immense bravery, unbreakable determination, and inspiring selflessness.

Marcus Luttrell was born on November 7, 1975 in Houston, Texas to a Christian family. He and his twin brother, Morgan, began unofficially training to become SEALS at age 14 with the help of a former U.S. Army soldier named Billy Shelton. Marcus attended Sam Houston University in 1994 and graduated with a degree in International Business. In 1999, Luttrell enlisted into the U.S. Navy. He graduated from BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) on April 21, 2000.

In 2005, Luttrell deployed to Afghanistan where he is most famous for participating in the deadly mission, Operation Red Wings. Luttrell and three other SEALS’ mission was to capture or kill a Taliban leader responsible for killings in northeastern Afghanistan. But when scouting the enemy, three goatherders stumbled upon them. After detaining them, the team thought of what to do with them. They suspected if the herders were let go, they would inform the Taliban about the American’s whereabouts. After discussing, the decision was to let the herders go based on a vote and ROE (Rules of Engagement). Within an hour, about 200 Taliban fighters attacked them. One by one, the SEALS were killed. Luttrell was the only one alive. Despite all his wounds, he crawled seven miles to a river where he collapsed. Friendly Afghan villagers who opposed the Taliban brought Marcus to their village where they tended his wounds and gave him food, water, and new clothes. The terrorists soon found out where Luttrell was at and demanded the village to hand the American over. They refused. The Taliban attacked the village, but the Afghans held their ground and didn’t give Luttrell to the Taliban. Since Luttrell was too weak to travel, a village elder walked to a marine outpost with a letter written by Luttrell. The letter described Luttrell’s location and physical health. Finally, six days after Luttrell was dropped, U.S. Army Rangers rescued Luttrell. Finally, it was over. After recovering from his wounds, Luttrell went back to combat and was deployed to Iraq but sustained a serious injury which forced him to medically retire from the navy. Luttrell went on to establish the Lone Survivor Foundation and traveled around the country to share his incredible story. Marcus Luttrell is an admirable hero because of his determination while in battle and bravery to return to combat despite being so close to dying.

Marcus Luttrell’s bravery is noticeable by many Americans. When he was only 14, he knew he was going to be a SEAL. He trained with a retired soldier who lived nearby. “They (Marcus and Morgan) began training for the SEALs at age 14 with former United States Army soldier, Billy Shelton, who lived nearby” (Marcus Luttrell 2014 Bio). This means Luttrell knew he was going to be a SEAL at a young age, making his bravery even more impressive since this was only a teenager already thinking of serving his country. Luttrell also demonstrates bravery when he returned to combat even after the near-death experience he had during Operation Red Wings. “After recuperating, he redeployed to Iraq for a second tour.” (Columbus State University Marcus Luttrell). This shows Luttrell’s bravery because ordinary people wouldn’t go out to fight again. But Luttrell did, proving he is a real hero. Marcus Luttrell used his bravery to motivate others to do the same.

Besides his bravery, Luttrell also has strong determination because of his actions during the gunfight in Operation Red Wings. During the battle, Luttrell did not surrender and continued to fight. “But he fought and hid and crawled and did whatever it took to get to a place where a friendly Afghan villager found and saved Luttrell…” (Cleveland.com 2014 Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell provides message of determination at luncheon). Luttrell presents determination by fighting until the end. It is unbelievable how with so many wounds he still found the strength to keep going. Luttrell also shows determination by completing BUD/S. “He graduated with Class 228 after suffering a fractured femur early in his training” (Marcus Luttrell 2014 Bio). Even with an injury, Luttrell refused to give up on his hopes to become a SEAL. He still finished the rigorous course, proving his determination is solid. With fighting while being close to death and passing BUD/S with an injury, Marcus Luttrell shows the true qualities of determination.

Along with being brave and determined, Marcus Luttrell is also very selfless. “Based upon first hand experiences of what is needed to provide holistic treatment beyond standard government programs, while honoring his lost comrades from Operation Redwing, Marcus established the Lone Survivor Foundation in 2010” (Lone Survivor Foundation 2014 Our History). After his military career, Luttrell decided to give back to those less fortunate than himself. The Lone Survivor Foundation “... restores, empowers, and renews hope for our wounded service members and their families through health, wellness and therapeutic support” (GuideStar USA 2018 Lone Survivor Foundation). By giving back to veterans, Marcus Luttrell shows his selflessness for others, a trait needed for someone to be considered a true hero.

Marcus Luttrell’s immense bravery, unbreakable determination, and uplifting selflessness defines him as a true hero. Luttrell joined the U.S. Navy SEALS, a brave thing to do because of all the tough and dangerous situations soldiers encounter. He also demonstrates determination by continuing to battle with the enemy although suffering from serious injuries and kept on fighting until he lost consciousness, meaning he fought his hardest. Luttrell’s actions helped me a lot. When I am going through difficult situations, I think of Luttrell and how he dealt with his problem. I was once under a lot of stress because of school and couldn't take the amount of work. But then I thought of Luttrell. I thought of his determination to stay alive. When I thought of that, it made my situation sound much smaller than his. So I decided to keep on working hard and hanging in there, just like Luttrell on June 27, 2005. “If knocked down I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission” (Marcus Luttrell 2014 Bio).

Works Cited

Albrecht, Brian. “Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell Provides Message of Determination at Luncheon.” Cleveland.com, Cleveland.com, 1 May 2014, www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/05/former_navy_seal_marcus_luttre.html.

Bajza, Stephen. “Marcus Luttrell Is the Lone Survivor.” Military.com, www.military.com/special-operations/marcus-luttrell-is-the-lone-survivor.html.

“Biography.” Marcus Luttrell, 2014, marcusluttrell.com/bio/.

Marcus Luttrell, jblf.columbusstate.edu/speakers/luttrell2016.php.