Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills

Died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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35, of Fort Worth, Texas; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.

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Served aboard destroyer before joining SEALs

Staff report

Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Stephen M. Mills, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas, enlisted in January 1997, according to the Navy.

He graduated from basic training in March 1997 and service school training in June 1997, subsequently reporting to the since-decommissioned Spruance-class destroyer Kinkaid, where he served for three years.

Mills graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at Coronado, Calif., in March 2001, and then reported to a West Coast-based SEAL team. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in March 2005.

His decorations include two Bronze Star Medals with ‘V’ device for valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device for valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, four Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals (one with ‘V’ device for valor), Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with ‘O’ device, four Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, seven Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.