Andrew Seif
Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
July 14, 1988 – March 10, 2015
Age – 26
Holland, Michigan
2d Marine Special Operations Battalion, US Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Killed when the Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base.
He had been awarded the Silver Star just 4 days before he died.
Born in Fairbanks, AK, Staff Sergeant Seif spent part of his childhood in Albuquerque, NM & then Holland, MI. He was a 2006 graduate of West Ottawa High School & enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2006. SSgt. Seif enjoyed snowboarding, football, rugby & fishing. He attended Combat Engineer School and received the military occupational specialty of 1371.
SSgt. Seif’s first duty station was at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion. In February of 2009, he reported to 29 Palms with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion. SSgt. Seif joined MARSOC in 2009, receiving orders to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion in September 2010, where he was an Element Leader. SSgt. Seif deployed in support of both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Andrew Seif was a hero with a chest full of ribbons and medals to prove it. He wasn’t much for talking about it, though.
Unfailingly polite with a sheepish smile, the Marine was reticent to recite his accomplishments when approached time after time by the press pool attending the 2013 USO Gala, where he was honored as the USO’s Marine of the Year.
He wasn’t naïve about what he’d done. Bragging just didn’t seem to be his thing.
Just four days before he was killed in a helicopter crash, Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif was awarded one of the military’s highest honors for heroism, a commendation he earned for his efforts to save a mortally wounded team member after coming under enemy fire Afghanistan. The silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces.
SSgt. Seif’s personal decorations include the Silver Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy-Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Jump Wings, and Good Conduct medal in lieu of second award.
Staff Sergeant Seif was one of 11 service members killed March 10, 2015 when their helicopter crashed during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
“Staff Sgt. Seif was one of the Marines … who really showed tremendous heroism and valor,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of the Marines Special Operations Command [MARSOC]. Osterman, who confirmed the seven Marine deaths Friday, is also the officer who presented the Silver Star to Seif just a week ago. “He and his family … really epitomize the silent warrior and quiet professional that really is the hallmark here at MARSOC.”