For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company K, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, during Operation HASTINGS in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 July 1966. Assigned as a part of the battalion blocking force against elements of the North Vietnamese 324B Division, Company K occupied a defensive position in triple canopy jungle. As darkness fell, Company K was attacked and surrounded by an estimated battalion-sized enemy force. In a portion of the perimeter adjacent to Lance Corporal Seath, a machine gunner was wounded and his weapon disabled by enemy fire. Recognizing the importance of stopping the enemy, Lance Corporal Seath moved quickly through withering automatic weapons fire to extract the inoperative machine gun. Working in pitch darkness with only the occasional flickering illumination from aircraft dropped flares above and suffering a leg and hand wound from mortar fire, Lance Corporal Seath expertly crafted an operational M-60 machine gun from the pieces of two disabled weapons. Immediately and with devastating effects, he directed deadly accurate fire at the onrushing enemy. Heedless of his painful wounds, as his field of fire in the prone position became partially obscured by enemy casualties, Lance Corporal Seath stood up fully exposed to the enemy as he continued the withering fire ultimately repelling the enemy’s assault. By his bold leadership, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Seath reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

On February 11, 2011, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented the Navy Cross and a Bronze Star for Valor to Seath. Dave Richwine, a retired Major General and Seath’s platoon leader in 1966, stated “The fog of war and friction of the battlefield kept Ned from being recognized on the spot. However, the four ‘Fs’ of faith, fellowship, friendship and focus were the reasons that he finally receiving his due reward.”