John Kirk “Jack” Singlaub was born on July 10, 1921, in Independence, Inyo County, California. He was the son of John Abraham Singlaub and Ethel Newby Singlaub. He was married to Joan Lafferty Singlaub Shirley. He left college during World War II to join the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1943. During the war, he served in Europe with Operation Jedburgh teams, working behind German lines alongside the French Resistance after D-Day. In 1945, he was sent to China, where he led a mission to secure the release and evacuation of Allied prisoners of war before the formal Japanese surrender.

During the Korean War, Singlaub served with the CIA in Seoul and became known for pioneering high-altitude parachuting techniques used in covert operations. He later directed or supported anti-communist missions in Manchuria, Laos, Vietnam, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan during the Cold War. Rising to the rank of major general, he became chief of staff of U.S. forces in South Korea, but in 1977, he was relieved of command after publicly criticizing President Jimmy Carter’s proposal to withdraw U.S. troops from Korea. After Singlaub again publicly challenged Carter’s national security policies in 1978, he was forced into retirement from the Army.

After retirement, Singlaub remained deeply involved in anti-communist political and paramilitary activities, including organizations connected to the Iran–Contra affair and support for resistance groups opposing communist governments worldwide. He was later recognized as a significant figure in U.S. special operations history and continued participating in veterans and historical organizations into his later years. He died on January 29, 2022, and is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) John Kirk Singlaub (ASN: 0-37040), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 3 April 1953, Major Singlaub, Second Battalion Commander, was observing elements of Company G on outpost “Harry”, in the vicinity of Surang-ni, Korea defending their positions against an intense assault by numerically superior hostile forces. Major Singlaub, realizing that the situation was critical, left the comparative safety of his command post and took command of a counter-attacking group organized to reinforce the friendly troops. Upon successfully leading the group to the objective, he exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved about checking the positions of his men, directing their fire and in many instances, rendering first aid and comfort to the wounded. As a result of Major Singlaub’s inspirational actions, the friendly elements were enabled to repulse the assault. Major Singlaub’s outstanding gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Source of information and photo: en.wikipedia.org, valor.militarytimes.com