The Cupertino Courier

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Navy SEAL posthumously honored with Navy Cross

By HUGH BIGGAR

Just over a year ago, a Cupertino soldier and a comrade were killed in action by Taliban forces in eastern Afghanistan.

In honor of their heroic actions that day, the Navy is posthumously awarding both men the prestigious Navy Cross--the Navy's second-highest medal after the Medal of Honor.

On June 28, 2005, Cupertino's Matthew Axelson, 29, and three other Navy SEALS were searching for a Taliban leader in mountainous country near the Pakistani border. Locals who supported the Taliban tipped off Taliban fighters to the SEALS' presence.

A fierce firefight then broke out between the four Navy SEALS and a larger Taliban force.

The SEALS radioed for help. A helicopter soon arrived carrying reinforcements. However, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter. It crashed, killing all 16 aboard.

Despite the crash, the four SEALS on the ground continued to fight back. Mortally wounded, Axelson and his partner, Danny Dietz, held off the Taliban fighters, allowing one of their comrades to escape.

In honor of these actions, the Navy will present the Navy Cross to their families at a Sept. 13 ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Axelson grew up on Meadowview Lane in Cupertino and graduated from Monta Vista High School. He joined the military after graduating from Cal State Chico and also earned a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. His wife, Cindy, his parents Donna and Cordell, and an older brother, Jeff, survive him.

The Axelson family has since campaigned to build a statue in Cupertino's Memorial Park. With Axelson and Dietz as models, the bronze statue will memorialize all Cupertino veterans killed in action.

To make a contribution, visit www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org, or call 408.821.9436.