LCDR Erik Kristensen - Operation Red Wings

ERIK S. KRISTENSEN ’90
Known as “Spider” to all his classmates and teammates, Erik was a proud
1990 graduate of Gonzaga. While on Eye Street, Erik was a scholar, a football
player, a lacrosse player, and a trumpet player in the band. While in the
band, Erik achieved the ranks of First Chair, Section Leader, and Co-Concert
Master. A gentle giant with a kind soul and unique sense of humor, he also
earned the rank of Eagle Scout and poured himself into all of the activities in
which he participated.
After graduation from Gonzaga, Erik attended one year of prep school at
Andover before attending the United States Naval Academy. Erik earned his
varsity letter in heavyweight crew at Navy before graduating with an English
major and French minor in 1995.
After several years of service, Erik knew he wanted to be a Navy SEAL but
was told that he was too old and would not be able to make it. Instead of
listening to those who told him he could not, he chose instead to work to
achieve his future. After failing once to make the SEALs, he tried again.
Overcoming injury and obstacles, Erik finally realized his dream and became
a SEAL and joined SEAL Team 10 based at Naval Amphibious Base Little
Creek in Norfolk, VA. On 28 June 2005 in Afghanistan, Erik led a mission to
help four fellow friends and SEALs who had come under heavy enemy fire.
The helicopter that he, seven other SEAL members, and eight Army Special
Forces members were in was shot down. Erik was buried with full honors at
the Naval Academy and rests among our Nation’s heroes as one of them.
True to his love of learning, Erik had been awarded an Olmsted Foundation
Scholarship and was to have studied at the Institute for Political Studies in
Paris in 2006. In his honor, Erik’s family, classmates, friends, and those
who were inspired by him founded The LCDR Erik S. Kristensen ’90, USN,
Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund assists Gonzaga students whose families
serve in the United States Armed Forces. It will forever remind Erik’s
fellow Eagles of what it means to be a Man for Others.

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