Seth Stone (September 17, 1976 - September 30, 2017) was a former United States Navy SEAL and two time Silver Star recipient.[1]

Seth Stone
Nickname(s)Stoner
BornSeptember 17, 1976
Winter Park, Florida, U.S.
DiedSeptember 30, 2017(2017-09-30) (aged 41)
Perris, California, U.S.
Cause of deathParachuting Accident
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
RankCommander
Battles / warsIraq War
Awards

Early life and education

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Stone was born September 17, 1976, in Houston, Texas.[2] His passion for serving his country led him to pursue a career in the military.[3]

Military career

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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.[4][5] Stone graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1999.[4] 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.[4]

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.[6]

Personal life

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Stone died September 30, 2017, after his parachute failed to deploy thousands of feet in the air. Stone was 41.[7] 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.[4][8]

Awards

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Stone's exceptional performance and leadership qualities earned him several awards and commendations including two Silver Star with Gold Star awards, Bronze Star with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal with Valor device, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Faram, Mark (2020-08-31). "Decorated SEAL dies in skydiving accident". Navy Times. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  2. ^ Garvin, Keith (2017-10-05). "Local Navy SEAL killed in skydiving crash". KPRC. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  3. ^ "Seth Anthony Stone". The Columbia County Chronicle & Chief. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  4. ^ a b c d Ries • •, Jamie (2017-10-27). "Autopsy: Navy Seal's Parachute, Thousands of Feet in the Air, Didn't Deploy". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  5. ^ del Barco, Mandalit (April 7, 2008). "Navy SEAL Killed in Iraq Receives Medal of Honor". NPR.
  6. ^ a b Stewart, Joshua (2017-10-03). "Off-duty Navy SEAL dies in Perris skydiving accident". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  7. ^ "A Farewell to a Hero". Houstonia Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  8. ^ "Decorated Navy SEAL identified as man who died in skydiving accident in Perris". Orange County Register. 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2024-03-26.