User:Sontaykid/George W. Petrie Jr.

George Petrie was born June 21, 1939 in Lenoir, North Carolina. He entered the U.S. Army in 1958 attended basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C. then was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. attended jump school and assigned to the 82ND Airborne Division 319th Field Artillery BN. In 1959-1960 he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division with the 20th FA BN, 77th FA BN. In 1960 returned to the 82nd ABN DIV to Mortar Battery 503rd ABN INF BN. He joined Special Forces in 1961 was a radio operator and light weapons specialist with the 5th Special Forces Group. In 1963 went to the Republic of South Vietnam, return to the United States, and in 1964 was assigned 8th Special Forces Group in Panama went to the Dominican Republic in 1965. 1967-1968 returned to South Vietnam assigned to 5th SFG II Corps Mike Force during this time he was award his first Silver Star, two Bronze Stars one for Valor and an Army Commendation medal for Valor. 1969 assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group and later the 6th SFG was received a direct commission to 1st Lieutenant in November 21st 1970 participated in the SON TAY RAID a mission to rescue POW’s and was a Assault Team Leader for Blueboy Eement Three and was the first on the ground after the control cash landing of the HH-3E and took out the main guard tower with a grenade, also awarded his second Silver Star. In 1971 was TDY to Vietnam for various (MACVSOG Bright light missions). 1971 promoted to captain during the time from 1971 -1973 he was assigned to 5th SFG where he held many positions ranging from company commander to operations officer. 1974- 1975 assigned to Joint Casualty Resolution Center and held many positions from search team leader, desk officer, and operations officer. In 1975 while assigned in Saigon he was tasked by the Defense Attaché Brigadier General Homer Smith to plan the evacuation of Saigon and was on one of the last helicopters out also he was the last alive U.S. Army Special Forces soldier out of South Vietnam, during this time he was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor.. In 1975 he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii first as S-3 (OPS) of the 1st BN 35th Infantry BN and then as the 2nd Brigade S-3 (OPS). 1976 he returned to J.C.R.C. when it relocated to Barbers Point NAS Hawaii as the executive officer then retired June of 1980 obtaining the rank of Major. After retiring he was employed with Electronic Data Systems with H. Ross Perot in Dallas, TX and worked for various Law Enforcement agencies in Texas, he also owned a Private Investigation and Security company, and was the President of Chapter 31 Special Forces Association for 19 years. In 2007 George Petrie was awarded the Gold Order of Saint Philip Neri U.S. Army Special Forces Highest award for his accomplishments in Special Forces. Captain James M. Hickerson is his first cousin. January 13, 2010 he was inducted as a distinguished member of the Special Forces Regiment.