Image of Danny P. Dietz

Danny P. Dietz: Unwavering Courage Under Fire, Operation Red Wings

Name: Danny P. Dietz

Branch: USN

Unit: SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2

Station Assigned: Virginia Beach, VA 

Hometown: Littleton, CO 

Family: Danny P. Dietz is survived by his wife, Maria Dietz; his mother, Cindy; his father, Dan Sr.; and his siblings, Tiffany and Eric.

Fallen on: June 28th, 2005

Danny P. Dietz was a highly esteemed and valiant Navy SEAL who tragically perished on June 28th, 2005, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, during the intense events of Operation Red Wings. He was 25 years old.

Born in Aurora, CO and raised in Littleton, Colorado, Danny was known for his vibrant spirit, faithfulness, and resolute determination. From an early age, his aspiration was to become a Navy SEAL, and he committed himself to realizing this demanding ambition, illustrating his initial devotion to service and challenging his limits.

Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Dietz successfully endured the grueling Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). He was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2, stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he honed his skills in specialized maritime operations and became a valued member of his unit.

During Operation Red Wings, Petty Officer Dietz served as the communications petty officer for a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team tasked with locating a Taliban leader. When their position was compromised, and they were ambushed by a significantly larger enemy force, Danny displayed extraordinary bravery and selflessness. Despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, he relentlessly attempted to establish and maintain vital communications, putting himself in harm's way to relay critical information. His unwavering efforts under intense enemy fire were crucial in the team's desperate fight for survival.

For his exceptional courage, unwavering resolve, and heroic actions in the face of overwhelming adversity, Danny P. Dietz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. His sacrifice and dedication to his teammates embody the highest ideals of the Navy SEAL ethos.

Danny P. Dietz's memory lives on as a testament to the incredible bravery and sacrifice made by our nation's heroes. He is deeply missed by his family, friends, and the tight-knit SEAL community. His unwavering courage in the face of extreme danger will forever serve as an inspiration.

To learn more about Danny P. Dietz and other fallen heroes, please visit:

On behalf of myself and everyone at BoneFog Coffee, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family of Danny P. Dietz who gave his life for our country. Words cannot capture the weight of this loss or the gratitude we feel for his courage and sacrifice. He was more than a warrior—he was a brother, a patriot, and a man whose dedication to protecting our freedom will forever inspire us. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his memory will live on in our hearts and in the values we strive to uphold. To his family, we share in your grief and stand with you, honoring his legacy with unwavering respect and gratitude.

Long Live The Brotherhood!!

Tim Cruickshank LCDR, USN (SEAL) Ret. and the BoneFog Coffee Team

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