Command Sergeant Major Jack G. Joplin, a legendary Army Special Forces and Delta Force operator who participated in two of the most famous rescue operations in special operations history has died.
CSM Joplin passed away last week at the age of 82. Joplin spent more than three decades in the Army and continued to serve the nation even after his retirement in 1991. During his colorful career, Joplin participated in the Son Tay rescue operation in 1970 and also in the failed attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran in 1980.
Born in 1939 in Bromide, Oklahoma, Joplin joined the Army in 1961 at the age of 22. Upon graduation from boot camp and infantry training, Joplin was assigned to the 501st Battle Group, 82nd Airborne Division. Later, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.
A few years later, Joplin decided to try for the Army Special Forces, also known as the “Green Berets.” Thus he began a special operations journey that would last for 24 years.
Joplin successfully completed the arduous Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and was assigned to the 6th Special Forces Group as Medical Sergeant (18D). His career in the Special Forces Regiment would see him serving in the 3rd, 5th, 1st, and 10th Special Forces Groups, in addition to the 6th. While in Special Forces, he completed two combat deployments to Vietnam.
He also volunteered and was picked for Operation Ivory Coast, a daring prisoner of war rescue operation in Son Tay, deep inside North Vietnam. The Son Tay Raid can be described as a successful failure. The American commandos caught the North Vietname unawares and achieved all of their objectives but there were no prisoners in the camp.
For his actions on target, Joplin received the Silver Star, the third-highest award for valor under fire. His citation reads:
“Sergeant Joplin, while engaged in [the] clearing of building with complete disregard for his personal safety, engaged enemy soldiers at point-blank range with his .45 caliber pistol and secured the building which dominated the right flank of the compound. Sergeant Joplin’s swift and courageous action contributed directly to the overall success of the mission. Sergeant Joplin’s daring skill, extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.”
In the late 1970s, Joplin was successfully selected for the Army’s new counterterrorism unit: the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD), better known as the Delta Force. As a Delta operator, Joplin got the opportunity to participate in another historic special operation: Operation Eagle Claw, the attempt to rescue the Americans held hostage in Iran.
Although the operation ultimately failed due to several logistical and planning reasons, Eagle Claw paved the way for the creation of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), revolutionizing American special operations.
“Jack was a true role-model. He was what an SF [Special Forces] NCO and leader ought to be. He willingly offered his advice and experiences to so many young SF troops. He was a great leader and mentor, smart and witty. But he was also a warrior. It was a privilege working with him,” a retired Green Beret told Sandboxx News.
Joplin’s awards include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Combat Medic Badge, the Special Forces Tab, and the Master Parachutist Badge.
In 2008, Joplin was inducted in the Special Forces Regimental Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.
It was an honor to care for CSM Joplin in what would become his last days. He will be one of my patients that I never forget. I will treasure the short time I had to get to know him, his wife, and his daughter.
Serving under CSM Joplin, C52, was a blessing from God that I did not deserve, but am forever grateful for. I’ll stop there, because words can’t express.
Signed: Just a support guy.
Please let me know more. I am Jack’s daughter. Rebaccawarren@gmail.com
He was my Hero ,he made me to a better Person and I I miss him with all my Heart ,forever
Your Wife
Kat
Hello Katherine., I am his oldest daughters son. Noe(Noah) .I regret not knowing him. My mother was for all her owns reasons a black sheep. I will tell you this, there was no shortage of stories about her father . I lived my life with such disregard for my own life, let alone someone else’s. I have wasted so many years being a bad person, that I never stopped to think about anyone else but me. I considered myself a bada@#bad. Knowing he was what I thought I was give me great pride. I’m sorry for not knowing you or him. Please know it wasn’t any of his doing against me. But for the love of my mother I stuck by her. I’m sorry again..
CSM Joplin was 2nd Bn, 1st Grp CSM when I served a 155 Team Sgt. A great leader and mentor. Was mild mannered and easy going. Sorry to hear of his passing. RIP CSM.
I personally served under CSM Joplin. He was laid back and just a good ole boy from Oklahoma. I had to pleasure of serving in 1st SFG(A) for 15 years. Every day and trip back to Fort Bragg you were walking amongst legends that made the Green Berets famous. RIP Jack
I’m Jack’s daughter. Please reply to me. Any stories appreciated.
Ma’am, I am sending an Email to you as I type this. I will be more than happy to answer, or elaborate on any questions you might have. I would be honored. If you do not receive the Email. Please feel free to contact me via Email.
Becky,
Jack and I were on the same element Greenleaf during Son Tay raid, Our element did not land at Son Tay prison we landed at what they said in training was a school house 400 meters from the prison. Jack and his 4 men element went looking for the crossroad to secure it that was 23 miles from Hanoi. The school house turned out to be HQ for Chines and North Vietnamese and a hell of a fight started. Jack’s element was coming on the right flank 0230 in the morning dark, someone yelled we are being flaked, I had an M-60 machine gun they told me to shoot at the people on the right flank, I turned ready to fire I heard someone pissed of use a familiar GI word Mother f#@#&r I heard that and did not fire. Jack always said , ” Jake I sure am glad you didn’t fire. ” We were both in 82nd Airborne Div. and 173rd Airborne Bde. in Vietnam. I lost a brother name Jack.
Jake
Respect, CSM Joplin🇺🇸
My condolences to his family and all that loved and admired him. Heroes never die because memories are kept alive through warriors writing.
Thank you, Stavros
My Dad, my hero. The world is a better place because of him.
Never stop talking to him, ma’am. He’ll hear you and he will answer if you pay close enough attention.
Becky, my condolences. And to both you and the article’s author Stavros, I tried to share this to the Johnson Co. Newspaper and Daily Oklahoman, but the News rep couldn’t find Stavros’ email, to work out permission.
Your Dad’s story and history is well worth sharing within his home state, as well as across the country. He’s been warmly remembered by a number of retired SF guys that worked with him on a shared, private FB group.
Stavros, do you have an email you can share with Tom, at jcsentinel@yahoo.com ?
My condolences, Becky. Your father was an extraordinary man.
Help me. I’m trying to write about and remember him. We can do this together. I’m not totally crazy (Jack said you had to be the right kind crazy for Delta). I know things. You are a writer. Let’s. Talk. I am a completely happily married lady. No other interest. There is a story here. I’ll write with or without you.
Wonderful story Stavros!
Thanks, Loula!