SEAL killed in Bali motorcycle crash - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

SEAL killed in Bali motorcycle crash

SAN DIEGO — A decorated Navy SEAL combat veteran who was on leave in Indonesia died Oct. 12 in a motorcycle crash, the Naval Special Warfare Command said late Thursday.

The accident in Bali killed Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Michael R. Tatham, 33, of University Place, Wash., Naval Special Warfare Group 1 said in a news release. Tatham, who enlisted in October 2002, was forward deployed to Afghanistan with a West Coast-based naval special warfare unit at the time. No other details were available about the accident, said Lt. Cmdr. Frank Magallon, a group spokesman.

Tatham “was a dedicated SEAL and a cherished teammate,” Capt. Collin Green, NSWG-1’s commander at Naval Base Coronado, Calif., said in a statement. “He was the epitome of professionalism, and his humble and selfless service to our country made him a role model for all.”

A native of Fayetteville, N.C., Tatham graduated in April 2004 with Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Class 248 after completing SEAL Qualification Training, and he continued advanced training after reporting to his West Coast-based SEAL team.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with combat “V,” Joint Service Achievement Medal, four Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals including one with “V,” two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and NATO Service Medal, along with the expert rifle and expert pistol ribbons.