Navy SEAL Mike Day was a hero who survived a brutal gunfight with four al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq in 2007. He was shot 27 times and suffered multiple shrapnel wounds and a traumatic brain injury, but he managed to clear the room, rescue six women and children, and walk out on his own. He spent two years recovering from his physical injuries, earning the Silver Star for his valor and courage. However, he could not overcome the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and took his own life on March 27, 2023.
The Mission That Changed His Life
Mike Day was born on May 24, 1975, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and grew up in Auburn, Washington. He joined the Navy in 1992 and became a SEAL in 1996. He served in multiple deployments around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa.
On April 6, 2007, he was the assault force commander for Naval Special Warfare Task Unit-Fallujah, tasked with capturing a high-ranking member of al-Qaeda during a helicopter-borne direct action mission. He was the first of his team to enter a 12 by 12 foot room where four enemy insurgents were waiting to ambush him. He engaged in a fierce gunfight, exchanging more than 100 rounds with the terrorists. He was hit by 16 bullets in his body and 11 more in his body armor. He also suffered grenade shrapnel wounds and a concussion from a blast.
Despite his severe injuries, he continued to fight, switching to his pistol after his rifle malfunctioned. He killed all four terrorists without harming the women and children in the room. He then cleared the rest of the structure and secured sensitive military equipment and valuable intelligence. He refused help from his Iraqi Scouts when leaving the building, fearing it would hurt more. He walked to the casualty collection point and collapsed.
He was airlifted to a hospital in Balad, where he underwent multiple surgeries. He lost over 50 pounds in two weeks and had to relearn how to walk, talk, and write. He spent nearly two years recovering from his physical wounds, undergoing more than 40 surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy.
He was awarded the Silver Star for his heroism and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. His citation read: “Despite multiple gunshot wounds, he continued to engage the enemy, transitioning to his pistol after the loss of his primary weapon, eliminating three enemy personnel without injury to the women and children in close proximity to the enemy personnel.”
The Struggle With PTSD
While Mike Day recovered from his physical wounds, he struggled with the psychological ones. He suffered from PTSD, a mental health condition that affects people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD can cause symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, isolation, and suicidal thoughts.
Mike Day tried to cope with his PTSD by staying busy and helping others. He returned to active duty as a SEAL instructor and trained hundreds of special operations forces and law enforcement personnel. He also founded Warrior Tribe, a non-profit organization that provides veterans and trauma survivors with resiliency training resources.
He wrote a memoir titled “Perfectly Wounded”, which chronicled his life story and his journey with PTSD. He shared his struggles and successes with honesty and humor, hoping to inspire others who faced similar challenges. He also spoke at various events and podcasts, sharing his message of hope and healing.
However, despite his efforts to overcome his PTSD, he could not escape the demons that haunted him. He felt guilty for surviving when many of his friends did not. He felt angry at the injustice of war and the betrayal of some of his leaders. He felt depressed by the loss of purpose and identity after leaving the military. He felt isolated from his family and friends who did not understand what he went through.
He tried various treatments for his PTSD, such as medication, therapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and neurofeedback. However, none of them worked for him. He felt hopeless and helpless about his condition.
On March 27, 2023, he decided to end his suffering by taking his own life. He hanged himself at his home in Virginia Beach, leaving behind a wife, four children, two grandchildren, and countless friends and admirers.
The Legacy Of A Hero
Mike Day’s death shocked and saddened many people who knew him or followed his story. His family issued a statement saying: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, friend, mentor, hero…Mike Day. Mike was an amazing man who touched so many lives with his courage, compassion, humor…He fought hard for our country…and for himself…but ultimately lost his battle with PTSD. We are so proud of him and everything he accomplished. We love him and miss him more than words can say.”
His fellow SEALs and veterans also paid tribute to him, calling him a warrior, a legend, a brother, and a friend. They praised his courage and grit, his leadership and mentorship, his generosity and kindness. They also expressed their sorrow and anger over his death, saying that he deserved better and that the system failed him.
His fans and supporters also expressed their condolences and gratitude, saying that he inspired them with his story and his message. They said that he taught them how to be resilient, how to overcome adversity, how to live with purpose. They said that he made a difference in their lives and in the world.
Mike Day was a hero who survived 27 gunshots but lost his battle with PTSD. He was a warrior who fought for his country and for himself. He was a leader who trained and mentored others. He was a humanitarian who helped and healed others. He was a writer who shared his story and his message. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a son, a friend.
He was perfectly wounded, but he was also perfectly human.
Sources: Navy Times, Task & Purpose, Special Ops Magazine
