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James Suh (Navy SEAL) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth02 March 1977

Age28 (at time of death)

BirthplaceChicago, Illinois

ProfessionUnited States Navy SEALs operative

NationalityKorean American

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Solomon Suh; Sister - Claudia Suh Brown

James Suh (Navy SEAL) Biography

James Erik Suh was a United States Navy SEAL who served from 2001 until his death in 2005. A member of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One and SEAL Team 10, he

Early life and background

James Erik Suh was born Sung Gap Suh on March 2, 1977, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised primarily by his father, Solomon Suh, after his parents separated when he and his sister were infants, Suh grew up in modest circumstances. His childhood interests included swimming, tennis and skateboarding, and he enjoyed action figures and other typical pastimes.

In school Suh showed academic promise, participating in advanced and gifted classes and excelling in mathematics and science. He attended Deerfield Beach High School in Florida and later enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he completed a Bachelor of Statistics degree in 1999. While at university he joined ROTC and maintained friendships that would later become meaningful in his military career.

Career

Suh volunteered for the U.S. Navy on September 15, 2000, and began basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in January 2001. After completing quartermaster training in May 2001, he entered the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) program and later attended the Army Airborne School to qualify as a military parachutist.

In August 2002 Suh completed SEAL Qualification Training and received the Naval Special Warfare insignia. He underwent specialized instruction including Swimmer Delivery Vehicle training in Panama and SEAL Sniper School, and in December 2002 joined SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He served with SDVT-1 and SEAL Team 10 and was deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

In early 2005 SDVT-1 was sent to Afghanistan as part of counterinsurgency and reconnaissance efforts. In June 2005 the unit was assigned to gather intelligence on Ahmad Shah, a suspected Taliban leader operating in Kunar Province. On June 28, 2005, a quick reaction force including Suh was inserted by helicopter to support a four-man reconnaissance element that had come under heavy attack during Operation Red Wings. The helicopter carrying Suh and other personnel was struck by enemy fire and crashed, killing all aboard.

Suh held the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (QM2) at the time of his death. For his service and sacrifice he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and the Purple Heart, among other military decorations.

Public profile

Suh’s upbringing, service and sacrifice have been publicly commemorated in a number of ways. He was buried with full military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. The University of Florida installed a memorial outside its ROTC office in his memory. A life-size bronze statue portraying him in a defensive posture was installed in Cupertino, California, in November 2007. A memorial near Deerfield Beach High School was dedicated in 2014, and challenge coins bearing his name have been produced in remembrance.

Personal life

Suh was unmarried at the time of his death. He maintained a close relationship with his sister Claudia Suh Brown and with his father, Solomon Suh, who had worked in Deerfield to support the family and later moved to Hawaii to be near James during his service. Suh’s girlfriend was Anna Chung; reports indicate he planned to propose after returning from deployment. He practiced Christianity.

Legacy and portrayal

James Suh is remembered for his commitment to his teammates and country. He formed close bonds with fellow SEALs including Matthew Axelson, Marcus Luttrell and Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy. His life and the events of Operation Red Wings entered the public eye through media portrayals; actor Rich Ting portrayed Suh in the 2013 film Lone Survivor.

Latest updates

Suh’s name and story continue to be honored through physical memorials and commemorative items. His decorations and the accounts of his service remain part of the historical record of Operation Red Wings and U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations in Afghanistan.
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Recent Work

Service in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)

Deployed with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One in early 2005; participated in Operation Red Wings intelligence and counterinsurgency operations in Kunar Province.

2005
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Career Highlights

  1. Completed SEAL Qualification Training and awarded the Naval Special Warfare insignia (trident) in 2002
  2. Served with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1) and SEAL Team 10
  3. Posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and the Purple Heart
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was James Suh (Navy SEAL) born?

02 March 1977

What is James Suh (Navy SEAL) known for?

United States Navy SEALs operative

What is James Suh (Navy SEAL)’s marital status?

Unmarried