Further news reports...

FLINT JOURNAL

Click the above link for the editorial in the Flint Journal 9-15-08

Two More Counterterror SEALs Die in Afghanistan September 14, 2008 Two more Navy SEALs from an extraordinarily elite and supersecret counterterrorism unit have been killed in Afghanistan, following the death two weeks ago of a SEAL from the same clandestine unit. Details were - not surprisingly - vague. There is no direct evidence they died fighting in the new CIA-led offensive against Al Qaeda and the Taliban along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. But their loss in Afghanistan is certainly significant and a real blow to their fellow operators in the Joint Special Operations Command, which includes the Army’s Delta Force. The two SEALs were killed September 11 somewhere “in Afghanistan,” according to military press releases, and were part of the shadowy Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the elite counterterrorism force once known as SEAL Team 6. Typically, the military identifies which Afghan town, district, city or province where American troops perish. But for the third time since August 30, when Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Thomas Harris, a Bronze Star recipient, was reported killed after being swept away during a combat river crossing, the precise location of the latest “DEVGRU” combat casualties is unknown.. Killed last week were Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator John Wayne Marcum, 34, and Chief (select) Special Warfare Operator Jason Richard Freiwald, 30, the Navy said. Each man had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a highly decorated SEAL. Before Harris, no DEVGRU SEAL had fallen in Afghanistan since March 2002, according to a review of Operation Enduring Freedom deaths at iCasualties.org. Marcum earned four Bronze Star medals with the combat “V” distinguishing device, as well as the Joint Service Commendation medal, four Combat Action ribbons and a chestful of other decorations in his career. The younger Freiwald had also earned a Bronze Star and Combat Action ribbon, the Navy said. Sadly, both SEALs leave behind a wife and daughter. The Naval Special Warfare Foundation, which accepts donations, will likely provide support for each family. - James Gordon Meek

Loss of a good family friend...and a Nation's HERO

Two Dam Neck based SEALs killed in combat Posted: Sep 13, 2008 09:18 PM EDT

Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator John Marcum

Updated: Sep 13, 2008 10:15 PM EDT
Special Warfare Operator Jason Freiwald
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator John Marcum
CORONADO, Calif. - Two U.S. Navy SEALs died in Afghanistan Thursday night from injuries they suffered on September 11 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 Friewald, 30, both distinguished and highly decorated combat veterans, were fatally shot in Afghanistan during a battle with heavily armed militants.

Marcum and Friewald were forward deployed to Afghanistan from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck in Virginia Beach.

"The deaths of SOCS Marcum and SOC Friewald are tremendous losses for Naval Special Warfare and the United States, " said Capt. Scott Moore, Commanding Officer of NSWDG. "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 Friewald 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."

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 sister, mother and father.

Friewald 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, Friewald 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.

Friewald 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. Friewald completed the arduous training and received orders to Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2.

Friewald 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.

Friewald is survived by his loving wife, Stacey; his daughter, Jasmine; and his mother and father, Terri and Richard Friewald.

"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," said Rear Admiral Ed Winters, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command. "We owe them and their families an eternal debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made. Their unwavering courage and commitment to protecting our nation will never be forgotten."

Another Navy SEAL assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Damn Neck was killed in Afghanstan on August 30. Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Joshua Thomas Harris, 36, a highly decorated combat veteran, drowned after being swept away by turbulent waters while conducting a river crossing during combat operations.

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.