A recipient of a highly decorated career, SO1 Lewis served with distinction through multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. His unwavering commitment to his fellow warriors and the mission was recognized through numerous commendations, including a Bronze Star with 'V' device for Valor, a Purple Heart, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 'V' device for Valor, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 'V' device for Valor. He was a master of his domain, serving with SEAL Team TWO, and embodying the quiet professionalism of the Naval Special Warfare community.

Seth C. Lewis was not simply content with competence; his ethos was one of continuous, high-intensity self-improvement, a drive his commanding officer noted as an honorable and noteworthy dedication to his craft.

On April 24, 2015, SO1 Lewis's life was tragically cut short during a physical fitness training exercise at the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Combat Swimmer Training Facility in Virginia Beach. In a fierce display of that competitive spirit that defines the Teams, Seth and his teammate, Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Brett Allen Marihugh, died from injuries sustained from drowning.

While the incident occurred during a challenging, high-risk activity, command investigations acknowledged that SO1 Lewis's death was a result of his relentless "desire to become a better operator," a tragic end born from the warrior spirit to achieve peak performance. He was a man who believed the possibility of perfection was worth the struggle, a principle he carried from the battlefield to the training pool. He gave his life while relentlessly striving to master the core skills required of America's elite forces.

The SEAL community mourned the loss of a brother whose dedication was absolute. SO1 Seth C. Lewis's commitment to self-mastery serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks taken daily by our warriors, even when training to protect our nation. His sacrifice is a testament to the fact that the price of readiness is often paid far from the battlefield.