I know that this is an old thread, but I have a question about Marcus Luttrell. OK, I just read the book and really liked it. The story reads like a novel, with spiraling action that almost seems unbelievable. For example, Lutrell says that he was blown out of a hiding place with a rocket.
Anyway, I was really inspired by the book. Then this Sunday at church I met a Army Ranger back from Afghanistan and I was talking to him about the war and stuff and mentioned Lone Survivor. He immediately said, “Oh, that guy made up most of that story.” He said that the SEALS are not respected by the Rangers because the SEALS are wreckless and arrogant. He said that he was in the area during the Lone Survivor events and while he wasn’t on the mission, he knows that the story “doesn’t add up.”
He said that one funny detail is that Marcus complained that the army helicopter dropped their ropes after the insertion which compromised their security since the ropes could have been found. But, that apparently dropping ropes is standard procedure.
So, I thought. The Ranger’s reaction must be just rivalry between forces. But, then I starting thinking about all of the extreme details in the book and how it sounded like a script for a movie. For example, right before he is picked up and rescued, he stares through the sights of his rifle into the eyes of the terrorist commander he was sent to kill, but because it is a stand off he doesn’t fire. That would make a great scene.
Also, he reveals that he lies to his captors twice about having diabetes and that he was a doctor. But, he doesn’t explain why these lies were necessary since his captors were friendly. Does he have a character problem with the truth?
On the other hand, the military must have believed him because his buddy Mikey received the Medal of Honor and I assume that they have to provide some kind of fact finding investigation.
I want to believe this guy is an honest hero, but I wonder.
Question: do any of you know if Luttrell could have made up details of the story?
Good questions..I have no personal experience in these matters, but here is what my impression is from all I have read over the years (anyone with experience trumps me and can just tell me I don’t know...)
There IS a rivalry between Special Forces and regular Army units. As collaborating evidence, see “Blackhawk Down”...the Rangers chafe when the SF guys think they are something special and go to the front of the line for meals and walk around with their safeties off on their weapons. True story (and good movie) so I think there is friction. Also, the SEALS being Navy might provoke even more animosity.
Dropping ropes might be standard procedure for Rangers, but may not be SOP for SF guys like SEALS being inserted in the middle of enemy occupied areas.
IIRC, he wasn’t blown out of a hiding place by a rocket, he was blown over a cliff after being trapped under a fallen log right on the edge of the cliff and unable to move...an RPG hit the log and freed him but threw him off the cliff.
As for the lying, I thought he told a lie when he didn’t know if they were friendly or not, then couldn’t figure out how to tell them later that he had been deceiving them all along without offending them.
That all said, he could have made up details...nobody can verify it.