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Erik S. Kristensen
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Unit	SEALs
Battles / wars	Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Red Wing War in Afghanistan
Awards	Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor Purple Heart Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2) Combat Action Ribbon National Defense Service Medal (2) Afghanistan Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbons (2)

Erik S. Kristensen (1972 – June 28, 2005) was a commander in the United States Navy SEALs, who was killed in action. During Operation Red Wing he and several Seals set off as part of search party hoping to assist a four man SEAL team that was engaged furious firefight with over a hundred Taliban fighers.

Bio

As son to a military father Erik traveled widely with his family as a child, living in Japan, Guam and Washington, among other places. He graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1990 and moved onto the Naval Academy where Kristensen majored in English. After graduation, he was commissioned an ensign and served in the engineering department of the USS Chandler in Everett, Washington. At age 27, Kristensen's dream of becoming a Navy SEAL came to fruition. He was the oldest in his class to graduate from the program.

Operation Red Wing

On June 28 2005 SEAL Team 10 were assigned to a mission to kill or capture Ahmad Shah (nom de guerre Mohammad Ismail), a high-ranking Taliban leader responsible for Taliban operations in eastern Afghanistan and the Hindu-Kush mountains. The SEAL team was made up of Marcus Luttrell, Michael P. Murphy, Danny Dietz and Matthew Axelson. Luttrell and Axelson were the team's snipers; Dietz was the communications officer and Murphy the team leader.

The four SEALs stumbled upon local Taliban forces and within an hour, the SEALs were engaged in an intense gun battle against a force of more than 150 enemy fighters. Michael P. Murphy risked his life to get off an emergency message to his command. Upon hearing the cry for help a MH-47 Chinook helicopter was dispatched with a force consisting of SEALs including Kristensen and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment "Nightstalkers" to rescue the team, but the helicopter was shot down by an RPG. All 16 men, including Kristensen, on the Chinook were killed. The entire battle, the culmination of Operation Redwing, resulted in the worst single day loss of life for Naval Special Warfare personnel since World War II. In interviews the Taliban leader Mohammad Ismail maintains that his forces set a trap for the American forces, "We certainly know that when the American army comes under pressure and they get hit, they will try to help their friends. It is the law of the battlefield."

In mourning

Days after his death was announced California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement stating his deepest condolences to Erik’s family and friends. In honor of Kristensen, Capitol flags were flown at half-staff. Kristensen, who was single, will be buried in his Birkenstocks, his mother said.

Erik Kristensen Eye Street Klassic

A charity was created the The LCDR Erik S. Kristensen ‘90, USN, Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund seeks to assist a Gonzaga student whose family serves in the United States Armed Forces. Every year an event called the Erik Kristensen Eye Street Klassic raises funds to strengthen Erik's scholarship fund at his alma mater, Gonzaga College High School, in Washington, DC.

Family

Kristensen's, father is Edward Kristensen a retired Navy rear admiral.

External Links

• Erik Kristensen Eye Street Klassic

References

1. ^ "Erik S. Kristensen" (HTML). navy seals. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
2. ^ Allan Lengel (July 6, 2005). "Navy SEAL From the District Died Leading Rescue Mission" (HTML). Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
3. ^ Naylor, Sean D. (2007-06-18). "Surviving SEAL tells story of deadly mission". Army Times. Retrieved 2008-07-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "Interview with Luttrell". Pritzker Military Library. May 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
5. "Interview with Matt Lauer". Today Show. June 12, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. "Navy SEAL to be awarded Medal of Honor" (HTML). navy.mil. 10/11/2007. Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. Lisa Myers & the NBC Investigative Unit (Dec. 27, 2005). "An interview with a Taliban commander" (HTML). msnbc. Retrieved 2008-12-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. "Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of San Diego Navy Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Erik S. Kristensen" (HTML). Schwarzenegger. 7/05/2005. Retrieved 2008-12-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
9. "Navy SEAL from San Diego killed in Afghanistan" (HTML). Associated Press. 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
10. "kristensen klassic" (HTML). kristensenklassic.com. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-14.

• 1972 births
• 2005 deaths
• American military personnel of the Afghanistan War
• American military personnel of the Iraq War
• United States Navy sailors
• United States Navy SEALs
• Navy Cross recipients
• United States Naval Special Warfare Command