Seven Marines from the 2nd Special Operations Battalion of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command were killed in an UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crash. The seven were identified as:
Capt Stanford Henry "Ford" Shaw, III
MSGT Thomas Arthur Vaughan Saunders
SSGT Liam Anthony Flynn
SSGT Trevor P. Blaylock
SSGT Kerry Michael Kemp
SSGT Marcus Scott Bawol
------
Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif served as an element member for 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Sergeant Seif was born in Fairbanks, Ala. and was raised in Albuquerque, N.M., up until middle school when his family moved to Holland, Mich. Following high school Sergeant Seif enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2006. After boot camp he went on to combat engineer school and received the military occupational specialty of 1371.
In February 2007, then PFC Seif received orders to his first duty station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion. In February 2008, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning from Iraq, Cpl. Seif requested orders to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion and reported to 29 Palms during February 2009.
In August of 2009 Cpl. Seif attended Assessment and Selection and was selected upon completion. In Oct 2009 Corporal Seif executed orders to Marine Special Operations School and in Sept 2010 Sergeant Seif graduated with Individual Training Course class 2-10.
In Sept of 2010 Sgt. Seif received orders to 2D Marine Special Operation Battalion, Hotel Company where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an element member. Upon returning form deployment Sgt. Seif was made an element leader of his team.
Sergeant Seif’s decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Navy And Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Jump Wings, and the Good Conduct medal in lieu of second award.
=====
Seif was a critical skills operator with 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command.
Last week, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., for aiding a wounded team member as they came under enemy fire in Afghanistan. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
Officials said Seif, 27, put his life on the line July 24, 2012 - during deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - when his team member was shot several times as the two approached a small compound in an effort to detain an Afghanistan improvised explosive device expert.
Seif, unsure of the severity of Sgt. Justin Hansen's wounds, cleared the compound alone and returned to treat his injured team member, exposing himself to enemy fire.
Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, died of his injuries.
Seif's wife, Dawn, accompanied him last week to the Silver Star ceremony. He said he accepted the award on behalf of the rest of his team, echoing sentiments he shared when he was named Marine of the Year in 2013 for the same 2012 incident.
"Every single day there's guys out there doing awesome stuff," Seif told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press at the time. "You can't do everything on your own. You have a lot of people behind you ... and I realize there are a lot of good people out there."
Seif, a West Ottawa High School graduate, enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday but said he knew well before then that he wanted to join the military. He thanked his parents for encouraging him to be involved in Boy Scouts and outdoor activities. His father served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"I guess I was preparing my entire life for it," he said.
He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led operations destroying cave complexes and enemy fighting positions, while also overseeing construction and repair of bridges and roads used by Marines and civilians.
Seif was described by his commanding officer as a Marine who had "tenacity, vigor and common sense" that he applied to every task.
When credited with risking his life to help Hansen, Seif said he was only doing his job.
"We do what we got to do to take care of our boys and complete the mission," Seif said in 2013.
As Seif accepted the Silver Star medal, he encouraged audience members to reach out to families of fallen service members.
"Make sure that you remember those families out there. Contact them. Let them know that they're still part of the family," he said.
Greg Warsen, an assistant superintendent at West Ottawa, said teachers recalled Seif as a hard working student who got along with all.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time," Warsen said. "We are grateful for Andrew Seif's distinguished, decorated service to his country, and we're honored to have him as a graduate of West Ottawa High School."
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, in a statement extended thoughts and prayers to Seif's family, as well as loved ones of the other Marines and soldiers killed in the crash.
"Having met Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif in person, I could tell he was a special kind of Marine. He was a man of great character who deeply loved both his family and his country," Huizenga said. "Today, West Michigan and the entire nation mourn the loss of a true American hero."
Angie Jackson covers public safety and
breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.
================================================
Capt Stanford Henry "Ford" Shaw, III
MSGT Thomas Arthur Vaughan Saunders
SSGT Liam Anthony Flynn
SSGT Trevor P. Blaylock
SSGT Kerry Michael Kemp
SSGT Marcus Scott Bawol
------
Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif served as an element member for 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Sergeant Seif was born in Fairbanks, Ala. and was raised in Albuquerque, N.M., up until middle school when his family moved to Holland, Mich. Following high school Sergeant Seif enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2006. After boot camp he went on to combat engineer school and received the military occupational specialty of 1371.
In February 2007, then PFC Seif received orders to his first duty station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion. In February 2008, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning from Iraq, Cpl. Seif requested orders to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion and reported to 29 Palms during February 2009.
In August of 2009 Cpl. Seif attended Assessment and Selection and was selected upon completion. In Oct 2009 Corporal Seif executed orders to Marine Special Operations School and in Sept 2010 Sergeant Seif graduated with Individual Training Course class 2-10.
In Sept of 2010 Sgt. Seif received orders to 2D Marine Special Operation Battalion, Hotel Company where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an element member. Upon returning form deployment Sgt. Seif was made an element leader of his team.
Sergeant Seif’s decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Navy And Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Jump Wings, and the Good Conduct medal in lieu of second award.
=====
Seif was a critical skills operator with 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command.
Last week, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., for aiding a wounded team member as they came under enemy fire in Afghanistan. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
Officials said Seif, 27, put his life on the line July 24, 2012 - during deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - when his team member was shot several times as the two approached a small compound in an effort to detain an Afghanistan improvised explosive device expert.
Seif, unsure of the severity of Sgt. Justin Hansen's wounds, cleared the compound alone and returned to treat his injured team member, exposing himself to enemy fire.
Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, died of his injuries.
Seif's wife, Dawn, accompanied him last week to the Silver Star ceremony. He said he accepted the award on behalf of the rest of his team, echoing sentiments he shared when he was named Marine of the Year in 2013 for the same 2012 incident.
"Every single day there's guys out there doing awesome stuff," Seif told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press at the time. "You can't do everything on your own. You have a lot of people behind you ... and I realize there are a lot of good people out there."
Seif, a West Ottawa High School graduate, enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday but said he knew well before then that he wanted to join the military. He thanked his parents for encouraging him to be involved in Boy Scouts and outdoor activities. His father served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"I guess I was preparing my entire life for it," he said.
He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led operations destroying cave complexes and enemy fighting positions, while also overseeing construction and repair of bridges and roads used by Marines and civilians.
Seif was described by his commanding officer as a Marine who had "tenacity, vigor and common sense" that he applied to every task.
When credited with risking his life to help Hansen, Seif said he was only doing his job.
"We do what we got to do to take care of our boys and complete the mission," Seif said in 2013.
As Seif accepted the Silver Star medal, he encouraged audience members to reach out to families of fallen service members.
"Make sure that you remember those families out there. Contact them. Let them know that they're still part of the family," he said.
Greg Warsen, an assistant superintendent at West Ottawa, said teachers recalled Seif as a hard working student who got along with all.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time," Warsen said. "We are grateful for Andrew Seif's distinguished, decorated service to his country, and we're honored to have him as a graduate of West Ottawa High School."
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, in a statement extended thoughts and prayers to Seif's family, as well as loved ones of the other Marines and soldiers killed in the crash.
"Having met Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif in person, I could tell he was a special kind of Marine. He was a man of great character who deeply loved both his family and his country," Huizenga said. "Today, West Michigan and the entire nation mourn the loss of a true American hero."
Angie Jackson covers public safety and
breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.
================================================
Seven Marines from the 2nd Special Operations Battalion of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command were killed in an UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crash. The seven were identified as:
Capt Stanford Henry "Ford" Shaw, III
MSGT Thomas Arthur Vaughan Saunders
SSGT Liam Anthony Flynn
SSGT Trevor P. Blaylock
SSGT Kerry Michael Kemp
SSGT Marcus Scott Bawol
------
Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif served as an element member for 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Sergeant Seif was born in Fairbanks, Ala. and was raised in Albuquerque, N.M., up until middle school when his family moved to Holland, Mich. Following high school Sergeant Seif enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2006. After boot camp he went on to combat engineer school and received the military occupational specialty of 1371.
In February 2007, then PFC Seif received orders to his first duty station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion. In February 2008, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning from Iraq, Cpl. Seif requested orders to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion and reported to 29 Palms during February 2009.
In August of 2009 Cpl. Seif attended Assessment and Selection and was selected upon completion. In Oct 2009 Corporal Seif executed orders to Marine Special Operations School and in Sept 2010 Sergeant Seif graduated with Individual Training Course class 2-10.
In Sept of 2010 Sgt. Seif received orders to 2D Marine Special Operation Battalion, Hotel Company where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an element member. Upon returning form deployment Sgt. Seif was made an element leader of his team.
Sergeant Seif’s decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Navy And Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Jump Wings, and the Good Conduct medal in lieu of second award.
=====
Seif was a critical skills operator with 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command.
Last week, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., for aiding a wounded team member as they came under enemy fire in Afghanistan. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
Officials said Seif, 27, put his life on the line July 24, 2012 - during deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - when his team member was shot several times as the two approached a small compound in an effort to detain an Afghanistan improvised explosive device expert.
Seif, unsure of the severity of Sgt. Justin Hansen's wounds, cleared the compound alone and returned to treat his injured team member, exposing himself to enemy fire.
Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, died of his injuries.
Seif's wife, Dawn, accompanied him last week to the Silver Star ceremony. He said he accepted the award on behalf of the rest of his team, echoing sentiments he shared when he was named Marine of the Year in 2013 for the same 2012 incident.
"Every single day there's guys out there doing awesome stuff," Seif told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press at the time. "You can't do everything on your own. You have a lot of people behind you ... and I realize there are a lot of good people out there."
Seif, a West Ottawa High School graduate, enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday but said he knew well before then that he wanted to join the military. He thanked his parents for encouraging him to be involved in Boy Scouts and outdoor activities. His father served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"I guess I was preparing my entire life for it," he said.
He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led operations destroying cave complexes and enemy fighting positions, while also overseeing construction and repair of bridges and roads used by Marines and civilians.
Seif was described by his commanding officer as a Marine who had "tenacity, vigor and common sense" that he applied to every task.
When credited with risking his life to help Hansen, Seif said he was only doing his job.
"We do what we got to do to take care of our boys and complete the mission," Seif said in 2013.
As Seif accepted the Silver Star medal, he encouraged audience members to reach out to families of fallen service members.
"Make sure that you remember those families out there. Contact them. Let them know that they're still part of the family," he said.
Greg Warsen, an assistant superintendent at West Ottawa, said teachers recalled Seif as a hard working student who got along with all.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time," Warsen said. "We are grateful for Andrew Seif's distinguished, decorated service to his country, and we're honored to have him as a graduate of West Ottawa High School."
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, in a statement extended thoughts and prayers to Seif's family, as well as loved ones of the other Marines and soldiers killed in the crash.
"Having met Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif in person, I could tell he was a special kind of Marine. He was a man of great character who deeply loved both his family and his country," Huizenga said. "Today, West Michigan and the entire nation mourn the loss of a true American hero."
Angie Jackson covers public safety and
breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.
================================================
Capt Stanford Henry "Ford" Shaw, III
MSGT Thomas Arthur Vaughan Saunders
SSGT Liam Anthony Flynn
SSGT Trevor P. Blaylock
SSGT Kerry Michael Kemp
SSGT Marcus Scott Bawol
------
Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif served as an element member for 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Sergeant Seif was born in Fairbanks, Ala. and was raised in Albuquerque, N.M., up until middle school when his family moved to Holland, Mich. Following high school Sergeant Seif enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of 2006. After boot camp he went on to combat engineer school and received the military occupational specialty of 1371.
In February 2007, then PFC Seif received orders to his first duty station, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion. In February 2008, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning from Iraq, Cpl. Seif requested orders to 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion and reported to 29 Palms during February 2009.
In August of 2009 Cpl. Seif attended Assessment and Selection and was selected upon completion. In Oct 2009 Corporal Seif executed orders to Marine Special Operations School and in Sept 2010 Sergeant Seif graduated with Individual Training Course class 2-10.
In Sept of 2010 Sgt. Seif received orders to 2D Marine Special Operation Battalion, Hotel Company where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an element member. Upon returning form deployment Sgt. Seif was made an element leader of his team.
Sergeant Seif’s decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Navy And Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Jump Wings, and the Good Conduct medal in lieu of second award.
=====
Seif was a critical skills operator with 2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command.
Last week, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., for aiding a wounded team member as they came under enemy fire in Afghanistan. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
Officials said Seif, 27, put his life on the line July 24, 2012 - during deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - when his team member was shot several times as the two approached a small compound in an effort to detain an Afghanistan improvised explosive device expert.
Seif, unsure of the severity of Sgt. Justin Hansen's wounds, cleared the compound alone and returned to treat his injured team member, exposing himself to enemy fire.
Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, died of his injuries.
Seif's wife, Dawn, accompanied him last week to the Silver Star ceremony. He said he accepted the award on behalf of the rest of his team, echoing sentiments he shared when he was named Marine of the Year in 2013 for the same 2012 incident.
"Every single day there's guys out there doing awesome stuff," Seif told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press at the time. "You can't do everything on your own. You have a lot of people behind you ... and I realize there are a lot of good people out there."
Seif, a West Ottawa High School graduate, enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday but said he knew well before then that he wanted to join the military. He thanked his parents for encouraging him to be involved in Boy Scouts and outdoor activities. His father served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"I guess I was preparing my entire life for it," he said.
He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he led operations destroying cave complexes and enemy fighting positions, while also overseeing construction and repair of bridges and roads used by Marines and civilians.
Seif was described by his commanding officer as a Marine who had "tenacity, vigor and common sense" that he applied to every task.
When credited with risking his life to help Hansen, Seif said he was only doing his job.
"We do what we got to do to take care of our boys and complete the mission," Seif said in 2013.
As Seif accepted the Silver Star medal, he encouraged audience members to reach out to families of fallen service members.
"Make sure that you remember those families out there. Contact them. Let them know that they're still part of the family," he said.
Greg Warsen, an assistant superintendent at West Ottawa, said teachers recalled Seif as a hard working student who got along with all.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time," Warsen said. "We are grateful for Andrew Seif's distinguished, decorated service to his country, and we're honored to have him as a graduate of West Ottawa High School."
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, in a statement extended thoughts and prayers to Seif's family, as well as loved ones of the other Marines and soldiers killed in the crash.
"Having met Staff Sergeant Andrew Seif in person, I could tell he was a special kind of Marine. He was a man of great character who deeply loved both his family and his country," Huizenga said. "Today, West Michigan and the entire nation mourn the loss of a true American hero."
Angie Jackson covers public safety and
breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.
================================================
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