RADM EUGENE TREFETHEN SEAWARD, U.S. Navy (then Commander), was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Farenholt,during the engagement with enemy Japanese naval forces off Savo Island on the night of October 11, 1942. Although his ship had been placed in a very hazardous position between his own forces and those of the enemy ,

Commander Seaward courageously and successfully engaged the Japanese until severe damage to his own vessel forced his retirement. Despite the fact that the Farenholt wwas rocked by an explosion, her compartments flooded and two of her boilers gone, Commander seaward, with great valor and skill, brought her safely into port. His outstanding seamanship and fearless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U. S., Naval Service.

Admiral Seaward joined the Legion of Valor in 1947 and was a Life Member.