He reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea, Air, Land training (BUD/S) at Coronado, California at age 27, making him one of the oldest in his class.[2] Kristensen graduated with class 233 in March 2001. He then completed Parachute Training and SEAL Qualification Training. His first assignment was to SEAL Team EIGHT as a platoon commander.
Operation Red Wings
On June 28, 2005, a four-man Navy SEAL reconnaissance and surveillance team was assigned to keep eyes on Ahmad Shah (nom de guerre Mohammad Ismail), who had no affiliation with the Taliban other than fighting against Anti-Coalition Forces but who was responsible for operations in eastern Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush mountains.[3]
The SEAL team was made up of Matthew Axelson, Danny Dietz, Marcus Luttrell, and Michael P. Murphy.[3] Luttrell was rear medical, Axelson the team's sniper; Dietz was the communications officer and Murphy the team leader. The four SEALs engaged local Taliban forces, they were engaged in an intense gun battle against a force of approximately 30–40 enemy fighters.[4]Murphy risked his life to get off an emergency message to his command. Of the four-man team, only Luttrell would survive.
Death
Upon hearing the distress call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter was dispatched with a force consisting of SEALs including Kristensen and 160th SOAR Nightstalkers to rescue the team, but the helicopter was shot down by an RPG. All 16 men on board the Chinook including Kristensen were killed.[5] The battle was later called "the worst single day loss of life for Naval Special Warfare personnel since World War II."[6] In interviews Ahmad Shah maintained that his forces had 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."[7]
Posthumous
Medal of Honor recipient Michael Murphy's father, viewing Erik's grave in 2007
Days after Kristensen's death was announced, California GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger released a statement stating his deepest condolences to his family and friends and announcing that flags at the California State Capitol would be flown at half-staff in his honor.[8]
Kristensen's funeral Mass (Mass of Christian Burial) was celebrated on July 19, 2005.[9] His mother told the press her son would be buried in his Birkenstock sandals.[10] He is interred at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.
A charity, the LCDR Erik S. Kristensen '90, USN, Memorial Scholarship Fund, was created in Kristensen's honor after his death. The fund seeks to assist a Gonzaga College High School student whose family serves in the U.S. armed forces. The Erik Kristensen Eye Street Klassic is held annually to raise money for the scholarship fund.[11]
United States of America
United States Navy
Lieutenant commander
U.S. Navy SEALs
Bronze Star with Valor device[1]
Purple Heart
