Sergeant Major Patrick R. Hurley entered the Army in 1972 and initially served with the 27th Engineer Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps. Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was during this first assignment that SGM Hurley volunteered for and
completed the U.S. Army Ranger course and became a second-generation Ranger, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert Hurley, who served in the 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War II.

In 1975, Sergeant Major Hurley volunteered for the newly formed 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington and served honorably as an anti-tank team leader and as the anti-tank section leader.

It was here in mid-1987 that Sergeant Major Hurley first volunteered to serve with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta. After his selection and training, SGM Hurley served with distinction in such operations as Desert One in Iran.

In 1985, Sergeant Major Hurley once again volunteered to serve with his beloved Rangers, this time as a First Sergeant of Company C of the newly formed 3rd Ranger Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia. Sergeant Major Hurley served for 18 months with Charlie Rock and set the example in all that he did for subordinates, peers, and superiors alike. Sergeant Major Hurley served in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia.

Sergeant Major Patrick R. Hurley was killed while returning from a Special Forces mission on February 21, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. He fully knew the hazards of his chosen profession and always upheld the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.