It is clearly evident that the level of detail contained in this book came from eyewitnesses directly involved in Operation Red Wings, the rescue effort, and the recovery of the fallen. In some cases pseudonyms were used to protect both them and their families. While their true identities may have been disguised, they know who they are.
Representatives of Naval Special Warfare and the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) reviewed the manuscript to ensure accuracy. Many individual members of these organizations sacrificed precious moments of their free time from hazardous duty around the globe to assist with this effort.
Tape recordings of interviews by the author and his discussions with various individuals, written and electronic communications, and other miscellaneous unpublished documents used as source material in the preparation of this book are in the possession of the author.
Alvarez, Heath. Personal Web site. www.heathalvarez.com (accessed January 3–19, 2009).
Axelson, Cordell. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
Axelson, Donna. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
Bisset, Andrew. Interview by author, June 6, 2008.
———. Electronic communications with author, May 9, 2008–October 30, 2009.
Bogenshutz, Maureen. E-mail communication to author, March 5, 2009.
Bonelli, Garry J. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
Bradley, Myron [pseud.]. Interview by author, October 22, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, July 5–6, September 3–12, 2008.
Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. Casualty Assistance Calls Officer Guide. N.p: Bureau of Naval Personnel, n.d. Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. www.cnrma.navy.mil.
Couch, Dick. The Finishing School: Earning the Navy SEAL Trident. New York: Crown, 2004.
———. The Warrior Elite: The Forging of SEAL Class 228. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
Coyle, Robert. Electronic communications with author, June 6–8, 2008.
DeGhetto, Todd. Interview by author, March 16, 2009.
Dietz, Maria. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
Easter, Chad [pseud.]. Interview by author, October 16, 2008.
Emmerich, James. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Evans, Nathan. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 6, 2008, January 5, 2009.
Furio, Nannette. Discussion with author, October 31, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author. November 3, 25, 2008.
Geisen, Gregory. E-mail communications with author, June 4, 2008–September 30, 2009.
Goare, Judy. E-mail communications with author, December 5–7, 2008.
Goodnature, Lori. Discussions with author, July 28–29, 2008.
Haffele, Andrew. E-mail communication to author, January 31, 2009.
———. Interview by author, January 30, 2009.
Healy, Natalie. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
———. E-mail communication to author, July 28, 2008.
Hernandez, Mark [pseud.]. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, October 5–7, 2008.
———. Interview by author, October 5, 2008.
Kernan, Joseph D. Discussions with author, May 6–7, July 28–29, 2008.
Kristensen, Edward. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Kristensen, Suzanne. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
Lasky, Larry. Discussion with author, July 28–29, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, July 7–15, 2008.
Luttrell, Marcus. Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team Ten. New York: Little, Brown, 2007.
Martin, Michael. Discussion with author, May 7, 2008.
———. E-mail communication to author, September 4, 2008.
———. Interview by author, May 20, 2008.
McCain, John. Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life. New York: Random House, 2004.
McCombie, Ryan. Discussion with author, October 28, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 3–6, 2008.
McElhone, Eddie. Discussion with author, October 30, 2008.
McKenna, Sharon. E-mail communication to author, September 27, 2008.
Murphy, Daniel. Discussions with author, May 2008–December 2009.
———. E-mail communications with author, May 5, 2008–October 30, 2009.
———. Interviews by author, May 20, 2008, January 4, February 19, April 13, 2009.
Murphy, John. E-mail communication to author, October 3, 2008.
———. Interview by author, April 10, 2009.
Murphy, Karen. Discussions with author, October 26–November 2, 2008.
Murphy, Maureen. E-mail communications with author, May 5, 2008–October 15, 2009.
———. Interviews by author, May 28, 2008, January 14, February 11, 2009.
Naval Education and Training Command. www.netc.navy.mil (accessed January 3–19, 2009).
Naval Special Warfare Command. www.navsoc.navy.mil (accessed December 5–18, 2008).
Navy Recruiting Command. www.navyocs.com. (accessed January 3–19, 2009).
Navy SEALs. www.seal.navy.mil/seal (accessed December 5–18, 2008).
O’Callaghan, Jimmie. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
O’Callaghan, Kerri. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
O’Callaghan, Owen. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008
O’Callaghan, Sean. Discussion with author, November 1, 2008.
Paro, Kent. Discussion with author, October 26, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, November 2008–April 2009.
———. Interview by author, November 10, 2008.
Pexton, Patrick. “Trying to Tame a New Breed of Cats.” Navy Times (May 30, 1994).
Ponder, Leslie. E-mail communication to author, August 27, 2009.
Pressfield, Steven. Gates of Fire. New York: Doubleday, 1998.
Public Law 109-256. To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 East Main Street in Patchogue, New York, as the “Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Post Office Building.” 109th Cong. August 1, 2006. Congressional Record 152 (2006).
Queen, G. Navy Military Funerals. N.p.: Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1999. Commander, Navy Region, Mid-Atlantic. www.cnrma.navy.mil.
Reich, Jill. E-mail communications with author, August 26–September 8, 2008.
———. Interview by author, September 4, 2009.
Reserve Officer’s Association. “The Meaning of a Flag-Draped Coffin.” Reserve Officer’s Association. www.roa.org (accessed January 13, 2009).
Risotto, Elizabeth. Discussion with author, July 29, 2008.
———. E-mail communications with author, July 3–5, 2008.
Sauers, Ben [pseud.]. E-mail communication to author, October 9, 2008.
———. Interview by author, October 9, 2008, January 23, 2009.
Scherkenbach, Michelle. E-mail communications with author, September 19–October 1, 2008.
Schoenberg, Richard. The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: An Inside Look at the Training of Navy SEALs. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2006.
Sheeler, Jim. Final Salute: The Story of Unfinished Lives. New York: Penguin, 2008.
Stegman, Robert. Text of eulogy for Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy. Private collection.
Widenhofer, Jeffrey. Interview by author, August 27, 2008.