Sergeant Matthew B. Kirk was born in Lexington, North Carolina, March 13, 1997, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Jan. 25, 2016.
Upon graduation from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and Marine Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Private First Class Kirk reported to the Defense Information School for training as a 4341 combat correspondent.
After graduating from DINFOS, Lance Corporal Kirk received orders to Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, in February 2017. Corporal Kirk would attach to Marine Aircraft Group 24 in October 2018 in support of Exercise Bougainville II.
In January 2021, Corporal Kirk transferred to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. He was promoted to sergeant the following month and was sent to serve as an augment in the Administrative Photo Studio for Communication Strategy and Operations, Marine Corps Installations West, MCB Camp Pendleton, to provide administrative photography support to I Marine Expeditionary Force units and Camp Pendleton tenant commands.
In August 2021, Sergeant Kirk returned to 1st Marines and would attend Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise 1-22 in October 2021.
In January 2022, Sergeant Kirk transferred to drill instructor school, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Sergeant Kirk’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award.