Veteran of the Day graphic created by Alexandra Craig for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Erik Kristensen. Erik served during the War on Terror.
Erik graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1995 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He then spent the beginning of his career as an officer in Engineering and Combat Systems aboard the USS Chandler.
In 2000, Erik chose to pursue a career as a Navy SEAL and began the Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea Air Land training program at Coronado, California. After successfully completing his training, Erik was assigned as a platoon commander with SEAL Team Eight. During his service, Erik achieved the rank of lieutenant commander.
On June 28, 2005, a four-man SEAL team was dispatched to eastern Afghanistan and tasked with carrying out a reconnaissance mission against an anticoalition insurgent leader operating in the area. While conducting the operation, the four-man SEAL team was caught in an engagement with Taliban forces.
In response, Erik volunteered to lead a team of seven fellow SEALs and eight members of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in a rescue mission. While en route, their helicopter was shot down by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, killing Erik and all 16 American special warfare personnel on board.
For actions during his service, Erik earned the Bronze Star with Valor, the Purple Heart and several other awards and commendations. He is interred at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
We honor his service.
Memorial Day Awareness
This month, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that connects Americans to the sacrifices made daily by the U.S. military, Veterans, first responders and their families to commemorate the “Memorial May” awareness campaign. The VA will share the stories of service members and Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in “Veteran of the Day” posts leading up to Memorial Day 2019.
Contributors
Editor: Geoffrey Townsley
Fact checker: Jordan Gossett
Graphic design: Alexandra Craig
Topics in this story
More Stories
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Air Force Veteran Gavino Cavazos, who served from 1949 to 1973 during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Army Veteran Howard Brown, who served during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1969 and the Gulf War from 1969 to 1992.
This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran Nanette M. “Nan” DeRenzi, who served from 1984 to 2015.
