Mills, Stephen Matthew

Stephen Matthew Mills was a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. According to official records and media reports, he served with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). His service reportedly included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

On August 6, 2011, Mills was killed in Wardak province, Afghanistan. The Department of Defense stated his death was the result of a helicopter crash. The crash, which occurred during a combat mission, was reportedly caused by enemy fire. Thirty U.S. service members, including Mills, and eight Afghans died in the incident.

Mills was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The operation, which followed the September 11 attacks, involved coalition forces in counter-insurgency and stability operations. The war in Afghanistan was the longest in American history at the time.

The helicopter crash was the single deadliest incident for U.S. forces in the Afghanistan war. It prompted statements of condolence from U.S. President Barack Obama and military officials. Mills was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart.

Mills is memorialized on the Navy SEAL Memorial at the Museum of the Forgotten Warrior in California and on the Afghanistan and Iraq War Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas. His name is also inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the University of Texas at Austin.

Stephen Matthew Mills was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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