{{Short description|US Navy SEAL and recipient of the Navy Cross (1980–2005)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox military person | name = Danny Dietz | image = File:Danny Dietz.jpg | image_size = | caption = Dietz in Afghanistan | birth_name = Danny Phillip Dietz Jr. | birth_date = {{Birth date|1980|1|26|mf=yes}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2005|6|28|1980|1|26|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Aurora, Colorado, U.S. | death_place = Kunar Province, Afghanistan | burial_place = Fort Logan National Cemetery<br/>Denver, Colorado, U.S. | allegiance = {{flag|United States of America|size=23px}} | branch = {{flag|United States Navy|size=23px}} | service_years = 1999–2005 | rank = 25px Gunner's mate, Second class | unit = 30px U.S. Navy SEALs * SDV Team 2 | commands = | battles = War in Afghanistan * Operation Red Wings{{KIA}} | awards = {{Plainlist| * 23px Navy Cross * border|23px Purple Heart }} | spouse = {{marriage|Maria L. Dietz|2003|2005}} }} '''Danny Phillip Dietz Jr.''' (January 26, 1980 – June 28, 2005) was a United States Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for heroism during Operation Red Wings in the War in Afghanistan. He was one of four SEALs ambushed by Taliban fighters in Kunar Province while on a reconnaissance mission, and one of 19 U.S. special operators killed during the operation.
==Early life and education== Dietz was born on January 26, 1980, in Aurora, Colorado to parents Cindy and Danny P. Dietz Sr.<ref name="navyseals_bio">{{cite web|year=2008|url=https://navyseals.com/nsw/danny-p-dietz/|title=Danny P. Dietz|work=United States Navy SEALs|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027201450/https://navyseals.com/nsw/danny-p-dietz/|archive-date=October 27, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was of Apache ancestry.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.5280.com/2015/06/a-warriors-creed/ |title=A Warrior's Creed |first=Kasey |last=Cordell |date=4 July 2015 |access-date=9 December 2020 |newspaper=5280 |publisher=5280}}</ref> He graduated from Heritage High School in Littleton in 1999.<ref name="Career"/>
==Career== thumb|upright|Dietz's uniform on display with his brother and sister viewing it, 2006. Dietz enlisted in the Navy on August 31, 1999. After graduating from Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes on November 27, 1999, he completed Gunner's Mate 'A' School there. He then transferred to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and graduated with Class 232 in 2001. Dietz attended the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by SEAL Qualification Training and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Training.<ref name="Career">{{cite web|url=https://www.travismanion.org/fallen-heroes/po2-seal-danny-p-deitz-jr-usn//|title=Danny P. Dietz's Career|publisher=Travis Manion Foundation|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref>
Upon checking in at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on November 8, 2001, he was assigned to Task Unit Bravo as the secondary SDV pilot and the Ordnance and Engineering Department head. In April 2005, Dietz deployed with his Special Reconnaissance component to Afghanistan to support Naval Special Warfare Squadron TEN in the Global War on Terrorism.<ref name="Career"/>
===Operation Red Wings=== {{Main|Operation Red Wings}} Operation Red Wings was a counter-insurgency operation by the United States Armed Forces to kill or capture Ahmad Shah (code name Ben Sharmak), a known terrorist and head of the militia "Mountain Tigers". The operation was carried out, on 27 June 2005, by Navy SEAL Team TEN; the four-man team was made up of 2nd Class{{{what|date=January 2026}} Matthew G. Axelson and 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell supporting the role of snipers, while 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz and team leader Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy were spotters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/news/a5665/lone-survivor/ |title=Lone Survivor: What Really Happened During Operation Red Wings|first=Morris |last=Kessler |date=4 February 2014 |access-date=8 November 2020 |newspaper=Esquire |publisher=Esquire}}</ref>
The mission was compromised after goat herders stumbled upon the SEALs and reported them to the Taliban after the SEALs let them go free. An intense firefight ensued after the SEALs were ambushed by Taliban insurgents who outnumbered them twenty-five to one.<ref name="United States. Congress 2011 p. 7784">{{cite book | author=United States. Congress | title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of May 24, 2011 | publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office | year=2011 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cjln6XR7tQcC&pg=PA7784 | access-date=2020-11-09 | page=7784}}</ref> Murphy went into an open clearing to get reception and call for support; he managed to reach the base, giving them the SEALs location as well as the number of enemies. Exposed to enemy fire, he was shot in the back while making the call; it was this act that awarded Murphy the Medal Of Honor posthumously.<ref name="United States. Congress 2011 p. 7784"/> Murphy then returned to his team to continue the battle. Low on ammunition, Murphy, Axelson and Danny Dietz were killed while Luttrell was knocked unconscious by an RPG.<ref name="United States. Congress 2011 p. 7784"/>
The Quick Reaction Force (QRF) dispatched included a team of Navy SEALs and aviators from the 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers). However, all sixteen special operators aboard one helicopter perished when the MH-47 Chinook was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade just as the SEALs were about to fast-rope at the landing zone.{{Cite web |url = http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/murphy.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160316194841/http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/murphy.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = March 16, 2016 |title = LT MICHAEL P. MURPHY USN |publisher = United States Navy |access-date = April 10, 2019}} Among the dead aboard the helicopter were Lieutenant Commander Erik S. Kristensen, the highest-ranking officer to die in the operation, and Sergeant Kip A. Jacoby, the youngest soldier to die in the operation, at the age of 21.<ref name="Widener 2020">{{cite web|last=Widener|first=Laura|date=2020-06-28|title=11 SEALs, 8 Army Night Stalkers killed 15 years ago today in Operation Red Wings|url=https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/06/11-seals-8-army-night-stalkers-killed-15-years-ago-today-in-operation-red-wings/|website=American Military News}}</ref>
SEAL Marcus Luttrell was the sole survivor of SEAL Team TEN. He was aided by an Afghan villager who sheltered him and was rescued by Army Rangers six days later.<ref name="United States. Congress 2011 p. 7784"/> Danny Dietz, Matthew Axelson and Michael Murphy were declared killed in action after their bodies were recovered on 4 July.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jul/12/afghanistan.usa |title=Navy Seal's body found after failed Afghan mission |first=Jamie |last=Wilson |date=12 July 2005 |access-date=2 June 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited}}</ref>
==Death== Dietz was mortally wounded after taking the brunt of the initial attack.<ref name="Death">{{cite web|year=2013|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/survivor-60-minutes/|title=Survivor|work=60 Minutes | publisher=CBS News | access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref>
This led to him losing the ability to walk, and as a result, Luttrell carried him on his way up the mountain, while Dietz responded to him. A bullet penetrated the back of his head and killed him instantly; Dietz's dead weight came as a surprise to Luttrell and as a result, he fell over the edge of the mountain with Dietz's body and was seriously injured.
Dietz's body was found by a group of U.S. Air Force pararescuemen during a search and rescue operation, on July 4, 2005, and returned to the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Starr |first=Barbara |date=11 August 2005 |title=Navy believes video shows SEAL's ID, weapon |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/08/10/afghan.seal.video/index.html |access-date=8 November 2020 |newspaper=CNN}}</ref> Dietz was buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.<ref name="Ultimate sacrifice won't be forgotten">{{cite web|year=2005|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2005/07/14/ultimate-sacrifice-wont-be-forgotten/|title=Ultimate sacrifice won't be forgotten|work=The Denver Post|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== Dietz is survived by his wife, Patsy, mother, Cindy, father, Dan Sr., sister Tiffany and brother Eric.<ref name="Career"/> Dietz was known to show appreciation toward the outdoors and he enjoyed fishing and rock climbing.<ref name="Career"/> He had a black belt in Taekwondo from the Korean Academy of Taekwondo.<ref name="Career"/>
==Awards and decorations== {| style="width:100%;" |- |valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" ! colspan="2" |'''U.S. military decorations''' |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Navy Cross |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Purple Heart |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Combat Action Ribbon |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=80}} |National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Afghanistan Campaign Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=80}} |Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon |- |} |valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;" ! colspan="2" |'''U.S. badges, patches and tabs''' |- | align=center | 200px | align=center | Naval Special Warfare insignia |- | align=center | 200px | align=center | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia |- |} |}
===Navy Cross=== thumb|upright|A close-up image of Dietz's statue on display On September 13, 2006, Dietz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross by Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter.<ref name="Two SEALs Receive Posthumous Navy Cross Awards">{{cite press release|year=2006|url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=25573|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729035248/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=25573|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2020|title=Two SEALs Receive Posthumous Navy Cross Awards|via=United States Navy|access-date=April 11, 2019|first=Jim | last=Garamone | agency=American Forces Press Service }}</ref>
====Citation==== 60px|left <blockquote> 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. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Kunar 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, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz's courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.<ref name="navyseal_citation_1">{{cite web|year=2006|url=http://www.dannydietz.org/mission-statement/about-dj/|title=Danny P. Dietz Navy Cross Citation|publisher=Danny Dietz Foundation|access-date=2019-04-10|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219014255/http://www.dannydietz.org/mission-statement/about-dj/|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>
==Legacy== thumb|upright|A picture of Dietz's statue unveiled in 2007 with his family viewing it; his wife is on the corner right followed by his sister, mother, brother and father. On July 4, 2007, the town of Littleton, Colorado erected a bronze lifesize statue of Dietz holding his rifle in a 'parade-rest' position on one knee. It contained the same statement on the Navy Cross citation.<ref name="Statue Memorial">{{cite web|year=2007|url=https://www.littletongov.org/my-littleton/parks-trails-monuments/danny-dietz-memorial-sculpture|title=Danny Dietz Memorial Sculpture|work=City of Littleton website|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410083528/https://www.littletongov.org/my-littleton/parks-trails-monuments/danny-dietz-memorial-sculpture|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On August 18, 2009, the span of South Santa Fe Drive between Interstate 25 and Colorado State Highway 470 was named Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Highway in his honor.<ref name="Highway Memorial">{{cite web|year=2009|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/08/18/south-santa-fe-span-dedicated-to-honor-slain-littleton-seal/|title=South Santa Fe span dedicated to honor slain Littleton SEAL|work=The Denver Post|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Highway signs unveiled in honor of Dietz">{{cite web|year=2009|url=https://littletonindependent.net/stories/highway-signs-unveiled-in-honor-of-dietz,45164|title=Highway signs unveiled in honor of Dietz|publisher=Littleton Independent|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031171244/https://littletonindependent.net/stories/highway-signs-unveiled-in-honor-of-dietz,45164|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Starting in 2010, the Danny Dietz Memorial Day Classic is a fundraiser / rodeo event held the weekend of Memorial Day at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg, Texas.<ref name="Navy SEAL widow's Memorial Day event honors America's fallen">{{cite web|year=2017|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/navy-seal-widows-memorial-day-event-honors-americas-fallen|title=Navy SEAL widow's Memorial Day event honors America's fallen|publisher=Fox News|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Danny Dietz Memorial Day Classic honors the fallen">{{cite web|year=2017|url=http://www.fortbendstar.com/danny-dietz-memorial-day-classic-honors-the-fallen-j-j-watt/|title=Danny Dietz Memorial Day Classic honors the fallen|work=Fort Bend Star|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410201550/http://www.fortbendstar.com/danny-dietz-memorial-day-classic-honors-the-fallen-j-j-watt/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
For the 2013 film ''Lone Survivor'', which covered the events of Operation Red Wings, Dietz was portrayed by actor Emile Hirsch.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 5, 2014 |title=Movie 'Lone Survivor' Features Story Of Littleton's Danny Dietz |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/01/05/movie-lone-survivor-features-story-of-littletons-danny-dietz/ |access-date=April 15, 2019 |work=CBS4 Denver}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Biography}} *List of people from Littleton, Colorado
==Further reading== *{{Cite book |last=Luttrell |author-link=Marcus Luttrell |year=2007 |title=Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=978-0-316-06759-1 |url-access=registration |first=Marcus |url=https://archive.org/details/lonesurvivoreyew00lutt}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dietz, Danny}} Category:1980 births Category:2005 deaths Category:United States Navy SEALs personnel Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Category:People from Aurora, Colorado Category:Military personnel from Colorado Category:American military personnel killed in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Burials at Fort Logan National Cemetery Category:United States Navy non-commissioned officers Category:Native American United States military personnel