Born on October 25th, 1975, and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Stephen began his naval career at sea, serving three years aboard the destroyer USS Kinkaid before setting his sights on the Teams. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2001, earning his Trident and reporting to a West Coast SEAL team.

In March 2005, Stephen transferred to an East Coast-based SEAL team, and went on to serve with SEAL Team 3 before earning assignment to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the Navy's most elite special mission unit. Over his career he deployed repeatedly in defense of his country, earning two Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V" device for valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" device, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, a Combat Action Ribbon, and a Presidential Unit Citation.

His cousin, Tina Mills Cunningham, remembered him simply and warmly: "He was always giving to other people, and he loved his country." That generosity of spirit, friends and family said, defined Stephen as much as his skill as an operator.

On August 6, 2011, Chief Mills was aboard the CH-47 Chinook helicopter callsign Extortion 17, part of a Naval Special Warfare quick reaction force responding to support U.S. Army Rangers engaged with insurgent forces in Wardak Province. When the helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, all 38 aboard were killed, the greatest single-incident loss of life in Naval Special Warfare history.

Chief Petty Officer Stephen M. Mills carried a generous heart into a demanding profession, giving of himself to his teammates and his country until the very end. His memory endures in the family and friends who loved him.