# Seth Stone

Seth Stone (September 17, 1976 - September 30, 2017) was a former United States Navy SEAL and two time Silver Star recipient.

## Early life and education

Stone was born September 17, 1976, in Houston, Texas. His passion for serving his country led him to pursue a career in the military.

## Military career

CDR. Stone attended the US Naval Academy and graduated 1999 with the service selection as a SWO (Surface Warfare Officer). After about two years, he was able to go to transfer and successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. He demonstrated exceptional skills in various tactical operations, including marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and mission planning. Stone graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1999. His past assignments include Naval Special Warfare Command and the USS Gettysburg (CG-64). Stone's military training included Navy Freefall Parachutist, Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE), Airborne, Special Operations Survival Training, Tomahawk Watch Officer, Basic Aegis Officer Console Operator, Surface Warfare Gunnery and Harpoon Officer.
Throughout his career, Stone was deployed to numerous conflict zones. His service included multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, including the Battle of Ramadi in 2006.

## Personal life

Stone died September 30, 2017, after his parachute failed to deploy thousands of feet in the air. Stone was 41. At the time of the incident, Commander Stone, who was assigned to Special Operations Command Pacific, was on leave. The coroner's investigation, detailed in the autopsy report, indicates that Stone had jumped from a hot-air balloon at approximately 4,000 feet altitude.

## Awards and decorations

| Badge | Special Warfare insignia | Special Warfare insignia | Special Warfare insignia | Special Warfare insignia | Special Warfare insignia | Special Warfare insignia |
| 1st Row | Silver Star with 1 Gold 5/16 inch star | Silver Star with 1 Gold 5/16 inch star | Silver Star with 1 Gold 5/16 inch star | Bronze Star with "V" device and 1 Gold 5/16 inch star | Bronze Star with "V" device and 1 Gold 5/16 inch star | Bronze Star with "V" device and 1 Gold 5/16 inch star |
| 2nd Row | Army Commendation Ribbon | Army Commendation Ribbon | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal | Combat Action Ribbon | Combat Action Ribbon |
| 3rd Row | Valorous Unit Award | Valorous Unit Award | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |
| 4th Row | National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze 3/16 inch service star | National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze 3/16 inch service star | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 bronze 3/16 inch stars | Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 bronze 3/16 inch stars | Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 bronze 3/16 inch stars | Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 bronze 3/16 inch stars |
| 5th Row | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 bronze 3/16 inch stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 4 bronze 3/16 inch stars |
| 6th Row | NATO Medal | NATO Medal | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device | Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal with expert device |
| Badge | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia | Surface Warfare Officer Insignia |
| Badge | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia |