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MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Lupyak, Joseph (Joe), CSM USA(Ret).
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Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Joseph Lupyak enlisted in the Army in February 1951, and after a distinguished career spanning over 30 years of active service, he retired in September 1980.
Mr. Lupyak's military career has included a wide variety of worldwide assignments from Fort Bragg to Germany, Panama, Korea, and Vietnam. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division in February 1951 and completed jump school in May 1951.In October 1951 he was assigned to the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in Korea. He served for 13 months in Korea and participated in numerous operations during the Korean War.
In 1957 Mr. Lupyak was an instructor in the USARCARIBE School in Panama, and in 1959, he attended the Missile Electronic School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before being assigned to a British Missile Warhead Detachment in Dortmund, Germany in 1960.
Other assignments include the Sergeant Major for the Advisory Group, Ohio National Guard; Command Sergeant Major of the 27th Airborne Engineer Battalion; Command Sergeant Major, Hawk Missile Battalion, Korea; and Command Sergeant Major, 3d Battalion, 325th Infantry Brigade, 82d Airborne Division.
Mr. Lupyak's Special Forces experiences began early in the history of Special Forces. He joined the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in February 1954. He served in Detachment A Berlin in the early 60's; served in both 7th and 3d Special Forces Groups; participated in the Son Tay Raid in 1970; and served with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in the Republic of Vietnam. He was selected as the Command Sergeant Major for 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 1976 and served in that position until his retirement in September 1980.
After retiring, Mr. Lupyak worked overseas for 2 years, and in 1983, became one of the first civilian instructors hired for the newly acquired positions in the Special Forces School. He moved to the position of Assistant Operations Officer/Training Officer for 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in 1984. Mr. Lupyak currently holds the position of Branch Chief of the Special Forces Qualification Course for the Training Development Division in the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Mr. Lupyak has an Associate Degree in Business and is a member of the Honor Society. He is a past President of Special Forces Chapter 62, Special Forces Museum Association, and Son Tay Raid Association. He is Distinguished NDIA Lifetime Member for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, He is a Distinguished Member of the 1st Special Forces Regiment and a Member of the Special Forces Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded the Gold Order of St Philip Neri Award by the Special Forces Association. He was the distinguished citizen of the year in his hometown in Forest City, PA. His awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor device with cluster, Legion of Merit, Air Medal w/cluster, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Combat Infantryman Badge with Star, and Master Parachutist Badge.
Mr. Lupyak is married to the former Goldy Hatgi of Panama. They have one son, Richard.
Image
Silver Star - 1971
Name of Award Silver Star
Year Awarded 1971
Last Updated: Dec 15, 2009
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Operation Ivory Coast was a United States special military operation conducted in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. On November 21, 1970, U.S. Army Colonel Arthur D. ?Bull? Simons and Lieutenant Colonel Elliot "Bud" Sydnor led a team of 56 U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers in a joint Air Force/Army raid on the Son Tay prison camp (located 23 miles west of Hanoi) in North Vietnam. The objective was to recover some 70 American prisoners of war thought to be held at the camp. The mission, though executed successfully, failed to recover any prisoners, because all had been moved to another camp before the raid. For their actions, members of the task force received 6 Distinguished Service Crosses, 5 Air Force Crosses, and 85 Silver Stars, including all 50 members of the ground force who did not receive the DSC. The successful demonstrations of capability in Operations Ivory Coast and Kingpin were, in part, responsible for the creation of a joint United States Special Operations Command in 1987. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Joseph W. Lupyak, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Sergeant Lupyak, while maneuvering his element, came under automatic weapons and small arms fire from the building complex. Sergeant Lupyak, with complete disregard for his personal safety, stood up and directed the machine gunners and grenadiers of his element in order to provide covering fire. He then assaulted the building, throwing a fragmentation grenade through the window. While moving around the building, he encountered several enemy soldiers. He eliminated them and continued to move into the building. Once inside, he encountered more armed enemy soldiers. With accurate fire he neutralized the enemy within the building. Sergeant Lupyak then received word from his platoon leader to pull back to the landing zone for extraction. His accurate automatic fire with his own weapon enabled his elements to withdraw safely. Sergeant Lupyak's conspicuous bravery and inspiring leadership under fire enabled him to complete successfully his mission with no friendly casualties. Sergeant Lupyak'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. Service: Army Rank: Master Sergeant Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (August 9, 1971)
