James Suh (1977-2005) was a Korean-American Navy SEAL. He is best known for his participation in Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan in 2005. On June 28, 2005, the helicopter he was riding in crashed after being shot by Taliban forces and died.
Wiki/Biography
James Erik Suh was born Sung Gap Suh on Wednesday, March 2, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois (age 28; time of death). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He grew up in a poor family. Sue completed her education with honors at Deerfield Beach High School in Florida. At school, he was a member of the swimming and tennis teams. Because of his demonstrated academic talent, he was also selected to teach classes for advanced and gifted students. Thereafter, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he received a bachelor’s degree in statistics in 1999. While in college, he was a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). James Suh excelled in math and science and wanted to become a veterinarian, according to his classmates. However, he chose to pursue a career in the Special Forces of the United States Army.
Photos from James’ college days
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′ 9″
Weight (approximately): 65kg
Hair color: black
Eye color: dark brown
family
James Suh was born into a Christian family in the United States. His family immigrated from South Korea before he was born.
Parents and siblings
His father, Solomon Suh, worked as a daily wage worker in a warehouse in Deerfield.
Photos of James Suh’s father
He has a sister named Claudia Sue Brown. Their mother left James and his sister when they were babies, and their father raised them alone.
wife and children
James Suh was unmarried and had no children.
Relationships/Affairs
He is in a relationship with a girl named Anna Chung. After James was deployed to Afghanistan, they communicated frequently by phone and email. According to sources, James originally planned to propose to Anna after returning from Afghanistan in 2005, but he died.
religion
James Suh believes in Christianity.
Profession
train
On September 15, 2000, James Suh enlisted in the United States Navy. In January 2001, he reported for U.S. Navy boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois; he trained there until March 2001. He then received additional training at the Quartermaster School until May 2001.
James Sue (center) after completing training at Navy boot camp
He later attended the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) 237 course and became a U.S. Navy SEAL. He then reported to the U.S. Army Airborne School (also known as Jump School) at Fort Moore, Georgia, where he received basic parachute (military paratrooper) training. In August 2002, Xu completed 26 weeks of SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) and earned the Naval Special Warfare Badge, also known as the SEAL Trident Badge. He was then posted to Panama where he trained as a Swimming Vehicle (SDV) until November 2002. He then went to SEAL Sniper School in Indiana to receive sharpshooter training.
James is sitting with a sniper rifle
deploy
James Suh was deployed to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 2002. There he became a member of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 (SDVT-1). He remained in Hawaii until February 2005. James was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of SEAL Team 10 to assist NATO forces in conducting counterterrorism operations against the Taliban under the banner of Operation Enduring Freedom. In Afghanistan, James participated in numerous reconnaissance missions and patrols.
Photos taken by James Suh in Afghanistan
Operation Red Wings
Operation Red Wings was a specialized military operation launched by the United States in 2005 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, with the purpose of capturing/killing the famous Taliban commander Ahmed Shah.
Photos of Ahmed Shah
To complete the mission, a team of four U.S. Navy SEALs were deployed to the mountains of Kunar Province, including Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny Dietz, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ma Hugh Axelson and Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell.
From left to right – Matthew Axelson, James Shue and Marcus Luttrell
The mission is compromised when a larger Taliban force ambushes four SEALs. After the group requested immediate evacuation and reinforcements, U.S. commanders dispatched a CH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying 16 Special Forces personnel, including James Suh.
From left to right: Matthew Axelson, Daniel R. Healy, James Sue, Marcus Luttrell, Eric S. Barton, and Michael P. Murphy
However, the helicopter crashed under heavy enemy fire as it approached the landing site, killing all military personnel on board. James’ body was recovered from the crash site by a team of U.S. soldiers sent to Kunar province to conduct combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations. The crash was detailed in Sue’s Navy citation:
As a member of the Quick Reaction Force, Sergeant Su was assigned to reinforce a SEAL Special Reconnaissance Team that was engaged in a fierce firefight with a numerically superior anti-coalition militia near Asadabad in Afghanistan’s Konar Province. The Special Reconnaissance Team came under siege from enemy fire in extremely rugged and unforgiving terrain. Showing extraordinary determination and fully understanding the consequences of the mission, Sergeant Sue’s troops boarded helicopters and entered directly into the active battlefield, ready to engage and destroy the enemy in order to protect the lives of the SEALs. Airborne Petty Officer Sue continues to work with his team members on attack plans to support quick reaction forces and rush to execute scheduled deliberate attacks. As the helicopter circled in preparation for the SEALs’ daring fast-rope insertion, the aircraft was struck by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade fired by anti-coalition militiamen. The resulting explosion and impact caused a tragic and unfortunate loss of life for all on board. “
Collage of United States Armed Forces soldiers participating in Operation Red Wings
After his death, the U.S. government awarded him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his bravery and service in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he held the rank of Master Sergeant Second Class (QM2).
military decorations
- Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Courage
- combat identification device
- Medal of Merit
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
James Suh’s ranks, ribbons, medals and other military insignia
die
James Suh died on June 28, 2005, while participating in Operation Red Wings in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. He died after his helicopter was shot down by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). He was buried with full military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
Photo of James Suh’s tombstone
Facts/Trivia
- According to sources, Suh changed his name from Sung Gap to James Erik in high school after his best friend Erik was killed in a shooting when he was 15. After Eric’s death, he began calling Eric’s mother “Mom” and even sent her a card on Mother’s Day.
- After joining the U.S. Navy SEALs, Xu wrote a heartfelt letter to his father on Father’s Day. He wrote in the letter,
When we grew up, we were poor. But we never felt poor because you took us to the beach every day, taught us how to play tennis, and took us to the library. “
- According to James’ sister, he was very shy and reserved as a child.
- He used to play with G.I. Joe action figures as a kid.
- He likes to skateboard.
- Xu’s friends said in interviews that he once got into a fight with another student at the school while playing basketball. He further stated that despite James’s relatively small stature, he was able to bring the student into submission by choking him.
- He was good friends with SEALs Matthew Axelson, Marcus Luttrell and Lt. Michael P. Murphy.
James enjoys a meal with teammates participating in Operation Red Wings
- After James was deployed to Hawaii, his father left Deerfield and moved to Hawaii to be near him.
- After his death, the University of Florida established a memorial to him outside the ROTC office on the university campus.
Photo of the memorial erected at the University of Florida after his death
- In 2013, the Hollywood movie “Lone Survivor” starring Mark Wahlberg was released. In the film, actor Rich Ting plays the role of James Erik Suh.
Actor Rich Ting on the set of “Lone Survivor” (2013)
- In 2014, a memorial was built in his honor near Deerfield Beach High School in Florida, where he attended.
- After James Suh was killed in Afghanistan, goods in the form of challenge coins started being sold on various online shopping platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and eBay.
Photo of James Suh Challenge Coin
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education