Staff Sgt. Earl Plumlee was born in Clinton, Oklahoma. He grew up working on his family’s cattle ranch and oilfield instrument company. He began his military career joining the Oklahoma National Guard, serving in the 45th Field Artillery Brigade as a rocket shooter (13M) during his freshman year of high school. After graduating from high school in 2000, Plumlee joined the United States Marine Corps. He attended training camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. And the Marine Corps Infantry School. Plumlee was then assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, where he served his first enlistment in a weapons platoon.

Plumlee deployed to Okinawa, Japan after the September 11 attacks. He was sent to Bahrain and served in a 5th Fleet Maritime Security Element. In 2003, he was deployed to Zamboanga, Philippines, in the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines at Camp Navarro. After returning from this deployment, Plumlee participated in the 4th Reconnaissance Force, Recon Indoctrination Program, and was selected to take the Navy Amphibious Reconnaissance Course and became a Basic Reconnaissance Marine. Subsequently, Plumlee attended and graduated from Navy SERE School, Basic Airborne School, Marine Corps High Risk Personnel Course, and Marine Combat Diving School. Upon his return to 4th Force Recon, he volunteered for a deployment to Iraq with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company.

Plumlee was deployed to the Iraqi region of Al Anbar, operating from Al Asad Airfield from August 2005 to February 2006. Upon his return from this deployment, he attended the Military Free Fall School. From there he was promoted to Recon Team Leader. In 2007, he married his wife, Terrie. After his marriage, Plumlee volunteered to deploy again to Iraq in 2008. During that deployment, he was selected and recognized as the Marine Corps Reconnaissance Team Leader of the Year. After returning from Iraq, Plumlee decided to change careers and joined the US Army as part of the 18X program in January 2009. After passing the Special Forces assessment and selection, he was chosen to follow. the Special Forces Qualification Course, where he had the unique opportunity to attend SERE School for the second time.

Staff Sgt. Earl Plumlee makes coffee in a river with his dog Pepper. (Photo courtesy of the Plumlee family)

Staff Sgt. Earl Plumlee celebrates his son’s birthday with his family. (Photo courtesy of the Plumlee family)

In 2009, SFQC graduated as Special Forces Sergeant-at-Arms (18B) and was assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). There he served in various rotations across the Indo-Pacific area of ​​responsibility. Plumlee was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2013, where his unit was tasked with conducting stability operations. Later in that deployment, he was located at Forward Operating Base Ghazni, which was the subject of a complex attack on August 28, 2013.

Next, Staff Sgt. Earl Plumlee, poses for a photo during pre-deployment training, 2013, Yakima, Wash. (Photo credit: US Army)

After returning from Afghanistan, Plumlee completed nine months of physical rehabilitation, while continuing to serve with 4th Battalion, 1st SFG (A).

As of 2015, Plumlee was stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the 1st Battalion, 1st SFG (A), where he served in the INDOPACOM-Crisis Response Force. There he served on foreign details for President Obama and President Trump. In 2018, he was selected for promotion to the rank of Master Sergeant and completed his stay in Okinawa. He and his family returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Where he served at the headquarters of 1st SFG (A). In August 2020, he was selected to become a team sergeant with 3rd Battalion 1er SFG (A), where he continues to serve.

His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Medal of Honor, two Medals of Honor of the Navy, the Combat Action Ribbon, four Army Good Conduct Medals, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, World War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Medal of the World War on Terrorism Service, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, Service Ribbon Army, Overseas Service Ribbon, Four Maritime Service Deployment Ribbons, NATO Medal, Two Navy Unit Commendations, Navy Unit Commendation, Special Forces tab, the combat infantryman badge, the te free fall military parachute and the Indonesian parachutist badge.

Then Sgt. 1st Class Earl D. Plumlee, assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), is presented the Silver Star Medal by Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, deputy commanding general of I Corps, during a ceremony at 1st SFG (A ), Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington (Photo credit: US Army) “