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Name: Seth Cody Lewis
Branch: USN
Unit: SEAL Team TWO
Station Assigned: Little Creek, VA
Hometown: Queens, NY
Family: Seth C. Lewis is survived by his family and teammates
Fallen on: April 24th, 2015
Special Warfare Operator First Class Seth C. Lewis was the very definition of a dedicated Navy SEAL, a warrior who relentlessly pushed his limits in a lifelong quest for excellence. At 32 years old, Seth embodied the Iron sharpens iron mentality, constantly seeking to improve himself and his skills to be the most capable operator for his team. This dedication to his craft, even in routine training, earned him the utmost respect of his teammates and command.
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.
To learn more about Seth C. Lewis and other fallen heroes, please visit:
- Navy Times: https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2015/12/11/report-banned-breath-holding-contest-ended-in-seals-deaths/
- National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum: https://www.navysealmuseum.org/memorial-wall/global-war-on-terror/seth-cody-lewis
On behalf of myself and everyone at Bonefrog Coffee, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Seth C. Lewis who paid the ultimate price while dedicated to serving our country. His sacrifice, made in the constant pursuit of excellence, is a solemn reminder of the true cost of our freedom. He was a highly decorated patriot, a brother, and a man whose memory will forever inspire the courage we strive to uphold. We share in your grief and stand with you, honoring his legacy with unwavering respect and gratitude.
Long Live The Brotherhood!
Tim Cruickshank LCDR, USN (SEAL) Ret. and the Bonefrog Coffee Team