Scarsdale resident, NY Army Guard Col. Seth Morgulas, retires after 31 years of military service
CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. (06/04/2024) — New York Army National Guard Colonel Seth Morgulas, a Scarsdale resident and Iraq War veteran, was honored during a retirement award ceremony held at Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill, on May 31, 2024.
Morgulas, whose last assignment was as Chief of Joint Staff with Joint Forces Headquarters in New York, was recognized for 31 years of military service.
He commanded the 369th Sustainment Brigade, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, from 2019 to 2023, including a deployment to the Middle East.
Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, praised Morgulas for his dedication and service.
"He did everything as far as leadership goes when we think of the Guard," Natali said. "Always ready, always there, whether it was two deployments to the middle east, or in support of our COVID-19 response."
During the ceremony, Morgulas was presented with the Legion of Merit, for exceptionally meritorious service spanning over 30 years while serving in positions of increasing responsibility, by Natali.
In his remarks, Morgulas thanked his family for their support, and the Soldiers and officers he served with over the years.
"What makes it all worthwhile are the folks that I've worked with over the years," said Morgulas.
During his time as the commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade, Morgulas worked to get the unit's nickname of Harlem Hellfighters made official.
During World War I the 369th Infantry, which was an all-black unit in a segregated Army earned the nickname Hellfighters from the Germans who opposed them in France.
While the nickname of Harlem Hellfighters stuck, it remained unofficial until 2020 after Morgulas worked with the Army Center of Military History to make it official.
Morgulas entered the Army in 1993 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Morgulas graduated at John Hopkins University and was commissioned as an Armor Officer.
He has served in a number of full-time positions in several New York Army National Guard units and deployed to Iraq in 2004.
During the 369th Sustainment Brigades deployment to Kuwait and the Middle East in 2022-2023, Morgulas was responsible for 2,500 troops in multiple units, who supported the U.S. Army's Task Force Spartan.
Morgulas also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
During the ceremony he was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award by the Department of the Army on behalf of the Soldiers of the 369th Infantry. The award recognizes the work the brigade's Soldiers did during the COVID-19 pandemic which ranged from managing COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, to setting up a field hospital, to assisting in the dignified transfer for the remains of 6,000 New York City residents who died during that period.
In addition to his awards received during the ceremony, his awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Order of Saint Barbara and the Order of Saint Maurice, recognizing excellence in the Field Artillery and Infantry communities.
Morgulas and his wife Margreta have two sons, Max, and Samuel.
Morgulas will now be working as a civilian employee for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Col. Seth Morgulas is awarded the Legion of Merit by Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general of New York, during a retirement award ceremony to honor Morgulas and his 31 years of service to the nation at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor near Peekskill, N.Y. on May 31, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sebastian Rothwyn)
New York National Guard
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