Lone Survivor

by

Marcus Luttrell

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Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” Character Analysis

Matthew Gene Axelson, or “Axe,” is one of the four Navy SEALs involved in Operation Redwing. He’s murdered in the “Battle of Murphy’s Ridge,” during which the SEALs fight off dozens of Taliban soldiers. Like his fellow SEALs, Axe is a highly competent, extremely tough soldier. Marcus Luttrell also describes Axe as a very intelligent, pragmatic thinker, who’s not afraid to do what is necessary under pressure. When the SEALs have to decide whether to kill the goatherds or not, Axe immediately argues that killing them is the only way to save their own lives—an argument that the other SEALs ultimately reject, arguably leading to Axe’s own death.

Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” Quotes in Lone Survivor

The Lone Survivor quotes below are all either spoken by Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” or refer to Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe”. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Politics and the War on Terror Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Axe said firmly, "We're not murderers. No matter what we do. We're on active duty behind enemy lines, sent here by our senior commanders. We have a right to do everything we can to save our own lives. The military decision is obvious. To turn them loose would be wrong."

Related Characters: Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” (speaker), Marcus Luttrell
Page Number: 234
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

“You stay alive, Marcus. And tell Cindy I love her.”

Related Characters: Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” (speaker), Marcus Luttrell, Cindy
Page Number: 275
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

Mostly I remember the laughter. "Jesus, you look awful," said Morgan. "Mom'll have a nervous breakdown when she sees you." It reminded me of what I'd said to Axe when he'd been fatally wounded on the mountain—"Hey, man, you're all fucked up."

Related Characters: Marcus Luttrell (speaker), Morgan Luttrell (speaker), Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe”, Holly Luttrell
Page Number: 423
Explanation and Analysis:
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Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” Quotes in Lone Survivor

The Lone Survivor quotes below are all either spoken by Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” or refer to Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe”. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Politics and the War on Terror Theme Icon
).
Chapter 7 Quotes

Axe said firmly, "We're not murderers. No matter what we do. We're on active duty behind enemy lines, sent here by our senior commanders. We have a right to do everything we can to save our own lives. The military decision is obvious. To turn them loose would be wrong."

Related Characters: Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” (speaker), Marcus Luttrell
Page Number: 234
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

“You stay alive, Marcus. And tell Cindy I love her.”

Related Characters: Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe” (speaker), Marcus Luttrell, Cindy
Page Number: 275
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

Mostly I remember the laughter. "Jesus, you look awful," said Morgan. "Mom'll have a nervous breakdown when she sees you." It reminded me of what I'd said to Axe when he'd been fatally wounded on the mountain—"Hey, man, you're all fucked up."

Related Characters: Marcus Luttrell (speaker), Morgan Luttrell (speaker), Matthew Gene Axelson / “Axe”, Holly Luttrell
Page Number: 423
Explanation and Analysis: