Navy SEALs killed in combat in Afghanistan
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND
U.S. Navy SEALs killed in combat in Afghanistan
CORONADO, Calif. - Two U.S. Navy SEALs died in Afghanistan Thursday night from
injuries sustained during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator John Wayne Marcum, 34, and Chief
(select) Special Warfare Operator Jason Richard Freiwald, 30, both distinguished and
highly decorated combat veterans, were fatally shot in Afghanistan during a battle
with heavily armed militants. Marcum and Freiwald were forward deployed to
Afghanistan from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Virginia
Beach, VA.
"The deaths of SOCS Marcum and SOC Freiwald are tremendous losses for Naval
Special Warfare and the United States. These men were true warriors,
dedicated to their country, their fellow SEALs, and the cause for which they
were fighting. They died while taking the fight to the enemy, going in harm's
way with the selflessness that resonated in their character and made them
giants among men. SOCS Marcum and SOC Freiwald were American heroes who put
their lives on the line, completing multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and
Iraq. They served with honor and distinction. The thoughts and prayers of
the Naval Special Warfare community are with their families," said Capt. Scott
Moore, Commanding Officer of NSWDG.
"Seven years ago this week, terrorists attacked our nation. SOCS Marcum and
SOC Freiwald willing placed themselves in harms way to prosecute our enemies
to the farthest corners of the earth. We owe them and their families an
eternal debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made," said Rear
Admiral Ed Winters, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. "Their
unwavering courage and commitment to protecting our nation will never be
forgotten."
Marcum, a native of Flushing, Mich., was a graduate of Flushing Senior High
School. He enlisted in the Navy on August 5, 1991 and reported to Recruit
Training Command in Orlando, Fla., on the same day. After completing basic
training he attended the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center,
Dam Neck, Va., before reporting to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training
at Coronado, Calif. BUD/S is the first step to becoming a Navy SEAL and is six
months of the most demanding training in the military. Upon graduation from
BUD/S, Marcum attended Basic Airborne School in Ft. Benning, Ga. He then
reported to his first permanent duty station at SEAL Team 2 at Naval
Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va.
Marcum completed many rigorous qualifications at SEAL Team 2 to prepare him
for combat, including sniper training, DoD Hostage Survival School, and SEAL
diving supervisor. Marcum distinguished himself during multiple combat
deployments in support of Joint Army and NATO operations.
In March 2000 Marcum transferred from SEAL Team 2 and began the demanding
selection and training program at NSWDG. His training included military
free-fall parachuting; emergency medical response, Survival, Escape,
Resistance and Evasion courses; advanced pistol and rifle; and several other
courses. Marcum completed the arduous training and received orders to Naval
Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2.
Marcum is a highly-decorated combat veteran and received numerous awards,
including four Bronze Star medals with combat "V" distinguishing device; Joint
Service Commendation medal; two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals;
Army Commendation medal; Joint Service Achievement medal; two Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medals, four Combat Action ribbons, and a multitude of
personal, unit and campaign decorations.
Marcum is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; his daughter, Madison; and his
mother and father.
Freiwald was born Dec. 20, 1977 in Utica, Michigan where he later graduated
from Armada Senior High School. He enlisted in the Navy on April 25, 1996 and
reported to Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., on November 5,
1996. After completing basic training he graduated from the Navy and Marine
Corps Intelligence Training Center, Dam Neck, Va., before reporting to Basic
Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Coronado, Calif. Upon graduating from
BUD/S, Freiwald completed Basic Airborne School in Ft. Benning, Georgia.
He then reported to his first permanent duty station at SEAL Team 5 at Naval
Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif. He served at SEAL Team 5 for two years
before transferring to SEAL Team 3 in Coronado. While at SEAL Teams 5 and 3
he completed numerous qualifications to prepare him for combat, including
sniper training, Arabic, and tactical rock climbing, to name only a few.
Freiwald also distinguished himself during multiple combat deployments in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In March 2005 Freiwald transferred from SEAL Team 3 and began the demanding
selection and training program at NSWDG. Freiwald completed the arduous
training and received orders to Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and
Evaluation Squadron 2.
Freiwald is a highly-decorated SEAL combat veteran including the Bronze Star
medal with combat "V" distinguishing device; Joint Service Commendation Medal
with combat "V" distinguishing device; two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
medal with combat "V" distinguishing device; the Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement medal; Combat Action ribbon, and numerous personal, unit and
campaign medals.
Freiwald is survived by his loving wife, Stacey; his daughter, Jasmine; and
his mother and father, Terri and Richard Freiwald.
Naval Special Warfare Command is the Navy component of United States Special
Operations Command and the special operations component of the United States
Navy. The command supports, trains, equips and deploys maritime special
operations forces to meet the operational requirements of combatant
commanders. These special operations forces include more than 8,400
active-duty and reserve SEALs (Sea-Air-Land) and Special Warfare
Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) operators and support personnel based primarily
in San Diego, Calif., Norfolk, Va., and deployed all over the world.
All media queries regarding this incident should be directed to:
Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs Office
Cmdr. Greg Geisen, at (619)-522-2824 or Cell (619) 398-6499
Lt. Nathan Potter, at (619)-522-2823 or Cell (619) 398-6498
Ms. Trish O'Connor, at (619)-522-2832 or Cell (619) 271-6061
