Sonar Technician (Surface) Second Class (SEAL)
Matthew G. Axelson
United States Navy
Second Class Petty Officer Matthew Gene Axelson was raised in Cupertino, California. Matt entered boot camp in Great Lakes, IL in December 2000. He completed STG "A" school and went directly to BUD/S, graduating with class 237. After BUD/S, he attended Army Jump School, SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) school. He checked aboard SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE in December 2002 and joined ALFA Platoon. STG2 Axelson deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
STG2 Axelson's peronal awards include the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
It would be hard to meet a better person. Besides the love he had for his wife Cindy, who was his heart and soul, his love for golf, the taste of a good beer, and the warm California sun, being in the Teams was what he liked best. Axe graduated from Chico State University in California with a degree in Political Science. Behind his quiet and laid back demeanor he was a true professional. Extremely intelligent, what seemed hard and confusing to most was a piece of cake for Axe. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and it would be impossible to find a person with anything bad to say about Axe. Words can not explain the wonderful person Matt was. If you think of the ultimate sniper, that was Matt; he was the ultimate quiet professional. He had a calming presence about him that was contagious. He had the ability to remove the stress from any situation. Matt had so much going for him. He could have been anything he wanted, including a PGA tour Pro, but he loved being a Navy SEAL.
SGT2 Axelson is survived by his wife Cindy, his father Cordell, his mother Donna, and his brother Jeff.