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First Name: Danny

Last Name: Dietz

Birthplace: Aurora, CO, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating: Gunner's Mate Petty Officer 2nd Class

Home of Record: Littleton, CO
Middle Name: Phillip



Date of Birth: 26 January 1980

Date of Death: 28 June 2005

Rank or Rate: Petty Officer Second Class

Years Served: 1999 - 2005
Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr.

   
Engagements:
•  Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present)

Biography:

Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr.
Gunner's Mate Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy

From 27 to 28 June 2005, Gunner's Mate Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr. was serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, Afghanistan, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On 27 June, operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area in extremely rugged terrain,in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan, PO2 Dietz's Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, PO2 Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally-advantaged enemy force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, PO2 Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, PO2 Dietz bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, PO2 Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. PO2 Dietz's courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill and utmost devotion to duty that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Navy's second highest award for valor, the Navy Cross.

As a member of a 4-man SEAL Team, PO2 Dietz and two of his comrades were killed in action; only one team member survived. The mission resulted in one team member receiving a posthumous award of the Medal of Honor. Dietz and the other two team members earned the Navy Cross. This made them the most decorated SEAL Team in history.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Special Warfare Insignia (SEAL)
Naval Parachutist Insignia

Navy Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Gunners Mate Second Class Danny Phillip Dietz, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in actions against the enemy while serving in a four-man Special Reconnaissance element with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, Afghanistan from 27 to 28 June 2005. Petty Officer Dietz demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. Operating in the middle of an enemy-controlled area, in extremely rugged terrain, his Special Reconnaissance element was tasked with locating a high-level Anti-Coalition Militia leader, in support of a follow-on direct action mission to disrupt enemy activity. On 28 June 2005, the element was spotted by Anti-Coalition Militia sympathizers, who immediately revealed their position to the militia fighters. As a result, the element directly encountered the enemy. Demonstrating exceptional resolve and fully understanding the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz fought valiantly against the numerically superior and positionally advantaged enemy force. Remaining behind in a hailstorm of enemy fire, Petty Officer Dietz was wounded by enemy fire. Despite his injuries, he bravely fought on, valiantly defending his teammates and himself in a harrowing gunfight, until he was mortally wounded. By his undaunted courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and absolute devotion to his teammates, Petty Officer Dietz will long be remembered for the role he played in the Global War on Terrorism. Petty Officer Dietz' courageous and selfless heroism, exceptional professional skill, and utmost devotion to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for the cause of freedom.

Honors

A large bronze memorial based on a combat photo of Danny Dietz was erected in his honor at Berry Park in his home town of Littleton, CO.

Burial

Petty Officer Second Class Danny Phillip Dietz, Jr. is buried at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Denver County, CO, in Section S, Site 6537-D.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11305133/danny-phillip-dietz



Honoree ID: 8424   Created by: MHOH

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