Corporal (Retired) Loren Petty

Boise, ID

I served with Kilo 3/3 from 1977 to 1981. We never landed in a hot LZ but were present in the gulf at Gonzo Station during the Iranian revolution and hostage crisis. Some of our guys from BLT 3/3 took part in the aborted hostage rescue attempt in 1979 and we all received the Marine Expeditionary Award for the action. Highlights of my tour included serving under Captain James Mattis who is now a very famous Lt. General. Under his leadership, our company received the highest CRE score of any rifle company in the Marine Corps. Toward the end of my six year commitment I re-enlisted in the reserves and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and went to school for 01 admin. I did not adapt well to the reserve environment and left the reserve unit of my own volition in 1985. I just want to say Semper Fi to all Marines past and present. I will always be proud of my service, and I am extremely proud of the way our current Marines are conducting themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan. I try to follow any news I can get about the K-Bay Marines and where they are deployed.