Military History of the Author

August 1966. The newly-promoted Captain Sympson. Official photograph of the U.S. Navy.

Kenneth P. Sympson was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on June 7, 1963. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1964 while serving as an artillery officer with "I" Battery, 3d Battalion, 11th Marines in Camp Pendleton, California. In May 1965 he was sent to Vietnam by way of Okinawa and was attached to the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines as an artillery forward observer. In November 1965 he was transferred to "G" Battery, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines to serve as the artillery liaison officer for the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. In May 1966 he was reassigned as the executive officer of "C" Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines.

While in Vietnam, Sympson participated in numerous operations, including Starlite (August 18-24, 1965), Piranha (September 7-10, 1965), Double Eagle I (January 28-February 19, 1966), Utah (March 4-7, 1966), and Texas (March 20-25, 1966).

Sympson left Vietnam and arrived at Camp Butler, Okinawa, on June 20, 1966. On August 2, 1966, he reported to the Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he was assigned as the Guard Officer. While serving at Barbers Point, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Sympson was honorably discharged from active duty on September 30, 1967; he served in the Marine Corps Reserve from October 1967 until June 1972. His decorations and campaign ribbons include the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Based on his military record, the State of New York has awarded him the Conspicuous Service Cross and the Conspicuous Service Star.