Andrew Seif was a hero with a chest full of ribbons and medals to prove it. He wasn’t much for talking about it, though.
Unfailingly polite with a sheepish smile, the Marine was reticent to recite his accomplishments when approached time after time by the press pool attending the 2013 USO Gala, where he was honored as the USO’s Marine of the Year.
He wasn’t naïve about what he’d done. Bragging just didn’t seem to be his thing.
The Department of Defense confirmed Friday that Seif was one of 11 service members killed Tuesday night when their helicopter crashed during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 27-year-old staff sergeant was awarded a Silver Star just four days before the accident, an honor he received for his actions in Afghanistan in 2012.
“Staff Sgt. Seif was one of the Marines … who really showed tremendous heroism and valor,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of the Marines Special Operations Command [MARSOC]. Osterman, who confirmed the seven Marine deaths Friday, is also the officer who presented the Silver Star to Seif just a week ago. “He and his family … really epitomize the silent warrior and quiet professional that really is the hallmark here at MARSOC.”
The other six Marines who died in Tuesday’s accident are Capt. Stanford Henry Shaw III of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Master Sgt. Thomas Saunders of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Staff Sgt. Liam Flynn of Queens, New York, Staff Sgt. Trevor P. Blaylock of Lake Orion, Michigan, Staff Sgt. Kerry Michael Kemp of Port Washington, Wisconsin and Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol from Warren, Michigan. All seven men were stationed at Camp LeJeune and were members of MARSOC’s 2nd Special Operations Battalion.
Four National Guard soldiers were also killed in the accident, though they have not been officially identified.
“Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif was an American hero and a deserving recipient of the USO’s 2013 Marine of the Year Award,” said Dr. J.D. Crouch II, CEO and President of the USO. “Our hearts go out to his wife Dawn, their extended families, and the families of all 11 service members who died in Tuesday’s tragedy.”
Described by his commanding officer as a Marine with “tenacity, vigor and common sense that he applies to every task or endeavor he undertakes,” Seif was attempting to detain a high-value target on July 24, 2012, along with his teammate, Sgt. Justin Hansen. Hansen was shot several times as the duo approached a compound. Electing not to wait for reinforcements, Seif entered the compound alone and eliminated the threat. After clearing the compound, Seif returned to treat his teammate’s wounds while exposing himself to constant enemy fire. Despite Seif’s efforts, however, his teammate died later that day.
“There are definitely some individuals out there who deserve [the Silver Star] just as well,” Seif said at last week’s ceremony, according to the New Holland Sentinel. “But it’s an honor to accept it on the behalf of the unit and on behalf of the rest of the men.”
Seif, a New Holland, Michigan, native, leaves behind his wife of four-plus years, Dawn. The couple celebrated their third wedding anniversary in 2013 with fellow USO honorees.