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Walter W. Kirk

Walter Kirk Story

United States Navy 1976-1981
2nd class Petty Officer
Enlisted in US Navy 1976. Assigned to HM-12 squadron. In October 1978, a new squadron was formed named HM-16. He was a founding member (plank owner). In November 1979, the US Embassy in Tehran, Iran was overrun and staff was held hostage. In the end they were held for a total of 444 days. After training and preparing for the rescue, in April 1980, while aboard the USS Aircraft carrier Nimitz, HM-16 along with several special forces attempted rescuing the hostages. HM-16 was at sea for unprecedented 196 days.
Honorably discharged June, 1981.