This month is a special occasion for the Coalition – the 100th birthday for our friend and mentor, Maj. General John K. (Jack) Singlaub (USARMY-Ret). General Singlaub distinguished himself in combat in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. As a member of Operation Jedburgh (Singlaub was part of the three man team codenamed “JAMES”), Singlaub parachuted behind German lines in August 1944 to work with the French Resistance fighters or Maquis groups that had swelled the resistance ranks after the D-Day invasion during World War II. Before the formal Japanese surrender, Singlaub parachuted onto Hainan Island, China, with eight other men under his command on August 27, 1945 to arrange the evacuation of the US, Australian, and Dutch prisoners of war held by the Japanese; he demanded proper food and medical care for the POWs, who the Japanese were still treating as prisoners. He headed CIA operations in postwar Manchuria during the Chinese Communist revolution, led troops in the Korean War, managed the secret war along the Ho Chi Minh trail in the Kingdom of Laos and Vietnam, worked with the Contras in Nicaragua, and Afghan resistance during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In a word, he has paid his dues to our country and then some.

Retirement from active service did not mean an end to Jack’s involvement and support in military affairs. He has been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the Coalition’s work on behalf of wounded veterans coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq. “For many years, I and the Coalition have benefitted from his wise counsel and strong support. I am proud to count him as a friend and mentor.” says Coalition CEO, David Walker.

Happy Birthday, Jack! May the Good Lord bless you with many more.