In 2007, US Navy SEAL Mike Day survived being shot 27 times by al-Qaeda militants in his legs, arms, abdomen, buttocks, and scrotum, and was knocked out by a grenade.

In 2007, US Navy SEAL Mike Day survived being shot 27 times by al-Qaeda militants in his legs, arms, abdomen, buttocks, and scrotum, and was knocked out by a grenade.

Remarkably, he not only survived but also managed to eliminate all four militants and later walked away unaided after regaining consciousness.

He left the Navy in 2010 after 21 years of service. He went on to represent Wounded Warriors, and spent the rest of his life advocating for veterans.

He unfortunately passed away in March 2023.

Mike Day had been shot plenty of times during his two decades as a Navy SEAL, but he had never been hit. That changed dramatically on the night of April 6, 2007.  

Mike was part of a 22-member assault team tasked with striking an al-Qaeda cell responsible for shooting down several Marine helicopters.

Mike was the first through the door and was immediately met with a hail of bullets by terrorists firing AK-47s, an M-4, and pistols.  Mike was hit and fell into the 10-square-foot room. 

Of the two Iraqi allies behind him, one was severely wounded and the other was killed. Fellow SEAL Clark Schwedler was hit in the back of the neck and died on the scene.  

His rifle shot from his grasp, Mike transitioned to his pistol, killed one terrorist, and then engaged a second terrorist who had pulled the pin on a hand grenade. The explosion knocked Mike unconscious.

Mike Day awoke to find the remaining enemies firing at his regrouping comrades. He engaged and killed the two remaining AK-47-wielding terrorists with his sidearm.  

When the smoke cleared, Mike Day had been shot 27 times; 11 rounds hit his body armor and 16 bullets had entered his body. “Anywhere you can put a finger on me, except my head, I was shot.”

Miraculously, Mike completed clearing the house and then WALKED HIMSELF to the evacuation helicopter. The total elapsed time of the shootout was 16 minutes.

Mike credits his training and muscle memory for his actions that night. To this day he believes that a person can train in or out of anything in life. 

“Everything you are right now is what you have trained into. You can break the trend of listening to that voice in your head that keeps you from being what you want to be.”

Mike also shares his thoughts on Veterans transitioning out of the military and civilians dealing with trauma in their lives.

TAKEAWAY: “If I don't do the best I can to be the best I can be, I am no good to anyone else. You have to be self-reliant.”

 

Following his remarkable survival, Mike Day’s journey to recovery was no less extraordinary. He spent nearly two years recovering from his injuries, losing over 50 pounds in just two weeks while in the hospital. His physical wounds healed, but he carried invisible scars such as PTSD and a traumatic brain injury for the rest of his life. His resilience was truly remarkable, as he refused help from his Iraqi Scouts when leaving the structure after the gunfight, stating that he feared it would hurt more.

In addition to his service in the Navy, Mike Day was a renowned author and advocated for wounded veterans. He penned a memoir, “Perfectly Wounded,” which recounts his experience as the first person to enter a 12 by 12 room during a hunt for a high-level al Qaeda operative. His story of resilience and determination has been an inspiration to many.

Beyond his military service and writing, Mike Day also served as a tactical training instructor for special operations forces and law enforcement personnel. He founded Warrior Tribe, a non-profit organization providing veterans and trauma survivors with resiliency training resources. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of service members.