Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks to Ned Seath after his Navy Cross ceremony Feb. 11, 2011. The Navy Cross was awarded to Seath 45 years after his actions in the Rebublic of South Vietnam, where helped save a company of Marines from being overrun. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks to Ned Seath after his Navy Cross ceremony Feb. 11, 2011. The Navy Cross was awarded to Seath 45 years after his actions in the Rebublic of South Vietnam, where helped save a company of Marines from being overrun.