RIP-George Petrie-Son Tay Raider
 

I apologize for breaking protocol by posting on this thread. I learned today that an old friend, George Petrie, died quietly in his sleep in Greenville, TX last night. Major Petrie (then Lieutenant Petrie) was the first Raider on the ground, during the Son Tay raid, when he was thrown from the door of his helicopter.
Again, sorry for posting when not vetted, but I thought the members would want to know about a Raider's passing.

Rest in Peace Son Tay Raider.

Rest in Peace Major and thank you for your many years of service, sacrifice and dedication.

RIP Sir

RIP Raider, thank you for your service and for what you've done.

Praters and condolences out to your family and friends..

RIP Sir.

Deepest Respect and Blue Skies Son Tay Raider. Rest easy.

The effect the Raiders had on the SF Community in general is immeasurable; as is the MACV/SOG Soldiers. These guys went back into the community as "Quiet Professionals" and started making changes from the ground up. The relevance of SF in military operations today is due in large part part to their efforts.

Blue Skies...

RIP Sir.

Blue Skys

RIP Major.

RIP Warrior

George Petrie
 

May he rest in peace, and God bless his family. I'd sure like to be in the Uptown Grill when he is remembered.

Rest in Peace Major Petrie.

Thrown from the door? Well I guess that's what you get when you intentionally crash land to maintain the element of surprise. :cool:

Heroes, all of 'em.

RIP Raider

RIP Raider. Thanks for your service and sacrifices to this great nation.

RIP

RIP Major.

RIP Major Petrie. Best wishes to his family and friends, and especially to those brave warriors with whom he served...

RIP, warrior.

For anyone in the DFW/North Texas area, George's services will be as follows:

26 April - Wake and Visitation for George in Greenville is from 6-8 at the Coke-Mathews Funeral home. You can get more info at cokermathers.com or calling (903) 450-4110.

27 April - 12:00 - 1:00 Visitation at Potter House next to Dallas Baptist University; 1:00 - 2:00 Memorial at the Potter House, 6777 W. Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75211

27 April - 2:30 - 3:00 Funeral at the DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211

RIP, old friend. You've earned it.

Richard

Major George W Petrie Jr.
 

My Father Major George W Petrie( Ret) passed away friday April 15,2011 quietly in his sleep at 4:30 A.M. with me by his side.

"George Petrie entered the US Army as a Private on 22 June 1958. After attending BCT and Infantry AIT, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC, for Basic Airborne Training, becoming a proud member of the 319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. In 1962, he gradated from the SF Commo Course as Honor Graduate and was assigned to the 5th SFGA as an A-Team Senior Radio Operator Supervisor. When the 8th SFGA stood up at Fort Gulick, Panama Canal Zone, he transferred to the new unit. While there, he attended the Underwater Operations and Spanish language courses. In 1967 he returned to the 5th SFGA as a Team Sergeant and Company Commander of a mobile guerrilla force in the 2nd Mobile Strike Force, Pleiku, RVN. He returned to Fort Bragg, assigned first to the 3rd SFGA and then the 6th SFGA, and graduating from the SF O&I course as Distinguished Honor Graduate.

He received a direct commission to 1LT and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at fort Benning, GA, in 1970. He was then selected to be a part of Operation Ivory Coast, the Son Tay prison raid deep in North Vietnam, where he was a member of the 'Blue Boy' assault element and the first of the raiders to hit the ground.

He returned to RVN in 1971, serving as the CDR of Company A, 1st Bn, 5th SFGA. He then attended the Infantry Officer Advance Course where he was the Honor Graduate before assignment to the Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC), Thailand, serving in Saigon, RVN, as an Ops Oficer, Field Investigator, Corps Desk Officer, and Action Officer for the AmEmbassy Defense Attache Office where he was a member of the special planning group for the evacuation of Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind. He was then assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, HI, for one year before serving with the relocated JCRC and as SpecOpsDiv E&E Officer for PACOM in HI and the ROK. He retired 11 May 1980 and was the President of SFA Chapter XXXl here in North Texas for over 18 years.

His awards and decorations include the SS (OLC), LOM, BSM w/V (OLC), MSM, AM, PH (OLC), ARCOM w/V (3 OLC), JSCM NAVCOM w/V, AGCM,( 3 Awards) NDSM (BS), AFEM (2 BS), VNSVC, KDSM, HSM, VNCG ( Palm GS, SS, BS), VNHM, VNWM, VNCAM, VNCM, IAPFM, PUC (OLC), VUC, MUC (OLC), VNCAUC, VNCGUC, CIB, Master Parachute Badge, SCUBA Badge, SF Tab, Pathfinder Badge, RVN Master Parachute Badge, ROK Master Parachute Badge, and Thai Master Prachute Badge. "

[URL="http://socnet.com/showthread.php?t=101744&highlight=petrie"]http://socnet.com/showthread.php?t=101744&highlight=petrie[/URL]....

RIP my friend

Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service to a greatfull nation!

As a member of the Plano VFW I've had the privilege of meeting MAJ Petrie. RIP Sir.

RIP SIR

"Slats" Petrie was one of the very few enlisted company commanders in the II Corps MIKE Force in 1968, and can be ranked up there with Hank Luthy, and Moe Elmore. They all commanded companies as E-7s, and were all consummate professionals.

RIP Sir.