Beaufort’s Kirk Dalrymple, 42, joined the United States Marine Corps in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2000. After boot camp at Parris Island and Infantry training at Camp Lejeune, he was assigned to the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team at Yorktown, Va. He deployed from there to the Defense Force at Guantanamo for five months and to the Mediterranean for duty throughout the 6th Fleet.
He was then transferred to Twentynine Palms, Calif., from which he deployed to Iraq where he engaged in combat. He changed his specialty to USMC Criminal Investigative Division. With that organization, he saw duty at MCAS Beaufort, at Camp Pendleton, during three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, at Dam Neck, Va., Camp Lejeune and finally at MCAS Beaufort again.
He and his family made more than six relocations before he retired in 2021 as a Master Sergeant. Today he works in law enforcement for the Defense Department. He leads 50 boys in the Trail Life program, coaches and referees for Upward Sports and does reenactments with the USMC History Association.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
