A bronze eagle that once watched over the Operation Red Wings memorial at Berry Park is gone, and the monument beneath it is left vandalized. The theft this week has neighbors and veterans rattled. The Littleton site honors 19 U.S. service members killed in the 2005 Operation Red Wings mission, including Littleton native Petty Officer Danny Dietz. Police say they have no suspects and are urging anyone who knows something to speak up.
What Police Say Was Taken
According to 9News, Littleton police reported that the ornamental bronze eagle was removed from the top of the monument and is valued at roughly $1,000. Investigators have not publicly identified a suspect, and the theft remains an active case.
A Local Landmark
The Operation Red Wings monument was dedicated in Berry Park in 2018 and sits next to the Danny Dietz memorial, according to the City of Littleton. City documents say the memorial bears the names of the 19 fallen service members and was donated with support from the Dietz family and veterans organizations. Berry Park is listed at 3400 West Berry Ave in city records.
Police Appeal: Tips Wanted
Authorities are asking anyone with information or video to call Littleton police at 303‑794‑1551, 9News reported. Police emphasized that recovering the piece is about more than property value, pointing to the memorial's importance to families and the wider community.
Why This Resonates
Operation Red Wings, the mission whose losses were later recounted in the book and film Lone Survivor, remains a touchstone for many area veterans. The Littleton memorial was created to keep that memory visible, CBS Colorado reports. When public memorials are stolen or defaced, the anger often runs deep because these places are built for remembrance, not vandalism.
The investigation is ongoing, and police say they are eager for any tip that might help bring the eagle back and identify who is responsible.
