May 16, 2022
Our ‘Veteran of the Week’ is Peter A. Hart.
Peter A. Hart began his military career in 1992 as a U.S. Marine, leading to multiple deployments and assignments including service as an assault amphibian crewman and related leadership responsibilities. He also served in the USMC Diplomatic Security Program (a U.S. Marine embassy guard in both Paris and in Nicaragua). Hart served for a time as a recruiter, later as the engagement officer for the U.S. Special Operations Command for AFRICOM, and he deployed multiple times including combat tours in Kosovo and Iraq.
Throughout his storied career, Hart participated in numerous sensitive and high-stakes operations and international missions including serving on high-level security protection details for three presidents, two first ladies and several secretaries of State.
In 2012, Hart retired from the Marines at the rank of master sergeant. Among his military awards and decorations are the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), the Combat Action Ribbon (two awards), the Navy Unit Commendation (three awards), the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (six awards), the National Defense Service Medal (two awards), the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (with one Bronze Service Star), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (five awards), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon (two awards), the NATO Medal, the Recruiter Ribbon, the Marine Security Guard Ribbon, Expert Rifle badge (third award), and Expert Pistol badge expert (fifth award).
Following his retirement from the Marines, Hart attended and graduated from the N.C. Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, working briefly in N.C. before relocating his family to Columbia and hiring-on with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in 2013. Two years later, Hart became a certified Special Response (tactical) Team operator, and in 2018 he became a member of RCSD’s Dive Team.
Master Sergeant (RCSD corporal) Peter A. Hart was nominated for Veteran of the Week by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.
