Marcus luttrell

Acknowledgments
 
Many thanks to my coauthor, Patrick Robinson, whose admiration and respect for the SEALs is 
reflected in so many of his novels. He understood I had made a solemn, private vow to the guys 
that I would somehow get out and relate the story of their gallantry and unending courage. 
Patrick made this possible, beyond my hopes. I could not possibly have done it without him. 
I also owe thanks to the senior commanders of SPECWAR-COM, who granted me permission to 
tell my story: in particular to Admiral Joe Maguire; to our judge advocate general, Captain Jo 
King; and to Captain Barbara Ford, who helped me through the network of naval administration 
prior to publication. 
My skipper in SEAL Team 5, Commander Rico Lenway, and Master Chief Pete Naschek 
unfailingly understood my requests for latitude during the long process of writing the book. As 
their leading petty officer (Alfa Platoon) I owe them my thanks, not only for their cooperation 
but also for their certainty that the story of the guys on the mountain should be made public. 
I would also like to express my appreciation to ex–Navy SEAL Dick Couch, author of the 
excellent book 
The Warrior Elite,
the story of the training of BUD/S Class 228. I, of course, was 
there and appear in his book from time to time, but I referred to Captain Couch’s well-kept log of 
events for accurate times, dates, sequences, and rate of dropouts. I had notes, but not as good as 
his, and I’m grateful. 
Thanks are also due to my mom and dad, David and Holly Luttrell, for so many things, but 
especially, in this context, for sitting down and relating, chapter and verse, the extraordinary 
events that took place back at the ranch in the early summer of 2005 while I was missing in 
action. 
Finally, my fellow SEAL and twin brother, Morgan, who came storming into the ranch within 
hours of the Battle for Murphy’s Ridge, swore to God I was alive, and never stopped 
encouraging everyone. Devastated by the death of his great friend Matthew Axelson, still too 
upset to talk about it, he was nonetheless there for me, helping to correct and improve the 
manuscript...still with me, as he’s always been and I hope always will be. 
Just like we say, bro, 
From the womb to the tomb!
And no one’s ever going to change that. 
— Marcus Luttrell