John Thompson, SAS vet of Iran Embassy takedown, dead

John Thompson was 82 when he passed Saturday.

Mr Thompson, originally from Liverpool, began his decorated military career in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

He later served with the 16 Parachute Brigade and was also a member of the SAS squadron that stormed the Iranian embassy in Operation Nimrod in 1980.

The SAS-led operation sought to rescue 26 hostages captured by six terrorists in the embassy.

Mr Thompson and his team abseiled from the rooftop of the London building during the operation. They fired gas canisters into the embassy and killed five of the gunmen.

You probably have no idea how many times you have seen that film of them roping down to the balcony and storming in… it is iconic , not to mention a great ‘how to do this right’ example. Good time to rest on his laurels, that? Nope.

The following year, Mr Thompson joined Boat Troop G Squadron and assisted troops involved in the Falklands War of 1982.

He was dropped on the islands three weeks before the Argentine invasion and gathered intelligence to feed back to the UK. Throughout the rest of the conflict, he helped target enemy troop patrols.

Mr Thompson retired from military service after the Falklands War and worked as a bodyguard in the Middle East.

Throughout his retirement years he also trekked to Everest Base Camp, participated in marathons and achieved a black belt in martial arts.

Most people get a black belt about 50 years earlier than that. Tells you something about the gentleman.

Category: International Affairs, UK