If you searched “Mike Day Navy SEAL Wikipedia,” you’re likely looking for the true story behind one of the most extraordinary survival accounts in modern U.S. military history — a SEAL who was shot 27 times in a single firefight and lived. This article lays out what’s actually documented about his service, his life after combat, and his passing in 2023, using verified sources rather than guesswork. It also flags a few personal details that remain publicly unconfirmed, so you’re not misled by unsourced claims circulating online.
⚠️ Sensitive content note: This article discusses combat trauma, PTSD, and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 in the United States.
Background: Who Is Mike Day and Why Do People Search for Him?
Douglas “Mike” Day was a U.S. Navy SEAL whose name became widely known after a harrowing 2007 combat incident in Iraq’s Anbar Province. As the first man through the door during a raid on an al-Qaeda cell, Day was shot 27 times — 16 rounds striking his body and 11 more stopped by his body armor — yet he neutralized the threats in the room, helped clear the rest of the building, and walked out to a waiting helicopter under his own power. The story made him one of the most talked-about figures in Naval Special Warfare, and search interest in “Mike Day Navy SEAL Wikipedia” typically comes from people who’ve heard the survival story secondhand — through documentaries, podcasts, or veteran communities — and want to verify the facts.
After retiring from the Navy, Day became a public advocate for wounded veterans and published a memoir, Perfectly Wounded, in 2020, which detailed both the firefight and his subsequent struggle with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
Latest Update
Because Day is deceased, there is no ongoing “update” in the traditional sense. If you’re seeing his name trending, it is almost always tied to renewed interest in his book, his advocacy legacy through the nonprofit Warrior Tribe, or veteran mental health discussions referencing his story — not to any unconfirmed rumor. As of this writing, no such rumor requiring verification has surfaced.
Full Profile
Family and Early Life
⚠️ Publicly available sources conflict on Mike Day’s birthplace and upbringing. The Navy SEAL Museum states he was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey; another widely cited obituary states he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Auburn, Washington. This article does not present either as definitively confirmed — treat both as reported, not settled, facts.
What is consistently reported is that Day enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989 and went on to complete Navy SEAL training, earning his Trident insignia before serving across multiple SEAL teams.
Career Path
Day served 21 years and 3 months in the U.S. Navy as a SEAL, deploying multiple times, including the April 2007 mission in Anbar Province, Iraq, that defined his public story. He retired around 2010 and went on to work as a Special Operations Command Wounded Warrior Advocate, a tactical training instructor for military and law enforcement, and the founder of the nonprofit Warrior Tribe, which supports resiliency programming for veterans and trauma survivors.
Age
Mike Day was 47 years old at the time of his death in March 2023.
Religion
Spouse/Partner
Net Worth
Parents
Height
Education
Specific civilian schooling details are not documented in available sources. What is confirmed is his military training record: he completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and went on to serve in multiple SEAL teams, including SEAL Team 8 around 2000 and later as assault force commander for Naval Special Warfare Task Unit-Fallujah in 2007.
Hometown/State of Origin
Sources differ — see the Family and Early Life section above. Reported locations include Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and Honolulu, Hawaii (raised in Auburn, Washington).
Official Social Media / Reference Link
Mike Day does not have an actively maintained official social media account, as he passed away in 2023. For verified information, the most credible public source is the official tribute page from the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum: Navy SEAL Museum — In Memoriam: Douglas Michael Day.
✅ Verified fact: Mike Day was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), and a Purple Heart for his actions during the April 2007 raid — confirmed by Navy Times and his official military record.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Douglas “Mike” Day |
| Service | U.S. Navy SEAL, 21 years 3 months |
| Defining Event | Shot 27 times during April 6, 2007 raid, Anbar Province, Iraq |
| Major Awards | Silver Star, two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), Purple Heart |
| Retirement | Approx. 2010 |
| Post-Military Work | Wounded Warrior advocate, tactical training instructor, founder of Warrior Tribe |
| Memoir | “Perfectly Wounded” (2020) |
| Date of Death | March 27, 2023 (age 47) |
Reader Questions (FAQ)
Is Mike Day the Navy SEAL still alive?
No. Mike Day passed away on March 27, 2023, at the age of 47, following a long struggle with PTSD stemming from his combat service. His death was confirmed by Naval Special Warfare Command and widely reported by military news outlets.
How many times was Mike Day shot?
Mike Day was shot 27 times during an April 2007 raid in Iraq’s Anbar Province — 16 rounds hit his body directly, and 11 more were stopped by his body armor. He survived and continued to help clear the building afterward.
What awards did Mike Day receive?
Day received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars (one with Valor), and a Purple Heart for his actions during the 2007 firefight. The Silver Star is the third-highest U.S. combat valor decoration.
Did Mike Day write a book?
Yes. In 2020, Day published a memoir titled Perfectly Wounded, co-written with Robert Vera and featuring a foreword by Admiral William H. McRaven, detailing both the 2007 firefight and his recovery journey.
What did Mike Day do after leaving the Navy?
After retiring around 2010, Day became a Special Operations Command Wounded Warrior Advocate, a tactical training instructor for military and law enforcement, and founded the nonprofit Warrior Tribe to support veterans and trauma survivors.
How did Mike Day die?
Mike Day died by suicide on March 27, 2023, after a prolonged struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury related to his 2007 combat injuries. This is confirmed by Navy Times and the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.
Does Mike Day have a Wikipedia page?
Mike Day is documented in structured public records such as Wikidata, and referenced across military and news sources, though coverage varies in completeness and detail. For the most reliably sourced information, official channels like the Navy SEAL Museum are recommended over crowd-edited pages.
Wrap-Up
Mike Day’s story is remembered for two reasons: an almost unbelievable act of survival on the battlefield, and an equally significant, less publicized battle afterward with the invisible wounds of war. His willingness to speak openly about PTSD and traumatic brain injury — rather than only about heroism — is part of why his story continues to resonate with veterans and civilians alike.
At the same time, this profile intentionally leaves several personal details — his exact birthplace, family information, and other private facts — marked as unconfirmed rather than filled in with guesses. Given how much of his public story already involves conflicting reports, treating unverified claims with caution is the more responsible approach.
Day’s legacy lives on primarily through Perfectly Wounded and the continued work of Warrior Tribe, the organization he founded to help other veterans navigate trauma and recovery.
Smith Andrew is the Founder and Editor of BiographyCabal. He researches, writes, and edits accurate, engaging, and well-researched biographies of celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes, influencers, politicians, and other notable public figures. Committed to factual reporting and quality storytelling, Smith ensures every article is reader-focused, informative, and based on reliable sources, helping readers discover the lives, careers, and achievements of influential people around the world.