Marion County is set to honor one of its most decorated residents this month by proclaiming a day in his name.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim January 10 as “Steve Petty Day” during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
A retired Army captain who turned a legacy of combat heroism into a lifetime of service to his fellow veterans, Petty’s proclamation comes on the heels of his induction into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame on Nov. 6, 2025. The designation is one of the highest honors bestowed upon veterans in the state.
While the official day is marked for Jan. 10, the commission will formally present the proclamation to Petty during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Captain Petty’s military record reads like a history of valor, with the retiree serving as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Petty earned some of the nation’s highest military distinctions for his courage under fire, including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
Perhaps most notably, Petty was awarded the Air Medal with a “V” Device for valor and an astounding 40 Oak Leaf Clusters, signifying repeated acts of heroism in the air.
According to the county’s proclamation, Petty’s service didn’t end when he left the cockpit. Since retiring from the military, he has become a pillar of the local veteran community in Marion County. Petty has held leadership roles with Veterans Helping Veterans USA, Inc., served with the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard, and worked to expand access to care through the Vet Resource Center.
The Board of County Commissioners states that the proclamation is intended to encourage all residents to recognize Petty for “extraordinary military service” and his “continued dedication to veterans and our community.”
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners next meets on Tuesday, January 6 at the McPherson Governmental Complex (601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala).