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Home2026-06-30T22:43:24-07:00

SFA Chapter 78 SENTINEL

THE Newsletter of the Quiet Professional

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Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
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The Sentinel has worked to preserve the history, heritage, and continuing story of the U.S. Army Special Forces while keeping Chapter 78 members informed. The July issue continues that mission with articles drawn from sources across the SOF community and the firsthand experiences. We begin with Chapter President James McLanahan's visit to the American Gold Star Manor, a community that supports Gold Star families, veterans, and seniors while honoring the memory of America's fallen service members. In "Eight Reasons Military Veterans Should Write," Robert Adolph reminds us that every veteran has a story worth recording, reflecting one of the Sentinel's longstanding goals. Some of our finest articles have come from individuals who took the time to record their experiences, safeguarding parts of Special Forces history that might otherwise have been lost. This month's issue also includes: a review of Aaron Bank's From OSS to Green Berets: The Birth of Special Forces; the evolution of the Operational Detachment-Alpha; a look back at Operation Noble Obelisk; today's Special Operations missions in Africa; a tribute to Ranger Jim Montano; and highlights from our June chapter meeting. The Sentinel has always aimed to bring together material from respected military publications and organizations alongside original contributions. This month, you'll find articles from the Special Warfare Journal, SOF.News, ARSOF History, and USASOC — sources that reflect our continuing commitment to preserving and sharing the history of the U.S. Army Special Forces. Read the Sentinel on our website (link in our bio)   As Robert puts it so well, history is best preserved by those who lived it. If you've ever considered writing about your SF experiences, a memorable assignment, a teammate you'd like to honor, or a lesson learned during your service, we'd love to help you share it with our readers. Do you have a story you'd like to share in the Sentinel? Contact our editor, How Miller (howmiller78@outlook.com) or use the contact page on our website, specialforces78.com. @special_warfare_journal @special_forces_association
Congratulations to Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) Graduation Class 342! “De Oppresso Liber!” @special_forces_association #sfqc #armysf #dol
SOG, Shriver, and the Next Generation—the June Sentinel We're proud to bring you the June issue of the Sentinel—and this one delivers. Leading off is a riveting excerpt from On the Ground: The Secret War in Vietnam (co-authored with John E. Peters), in which SOG 1-0 John "Tilt" Stryker Meyer recounts Recon Team Lion's first mission deep in Laos. The account is harrowing from start to finish, culminating in a moment that stands out even among SOG's extraordinary history: Vietnamese King Bee pilot CPT An flying directly into heavy enemy fire to pull the team to safety. Greg Walker's “A Man in His Element—MSG Jerry Michael Tate Shriver,” is a profile of one of the most remarkable 1-0s the unit ever produced. Ninety-three missions. A reputation so formidable that Hanoi Hannah called him out by name on the radio. Drawing on an exclusive interview with COL (Ret.) Bob Killebrew, Walker brings Jerry's leadership, courage, and final mission to life in vivid detail. We close with Chapter 78 Out and About, highlighting the chapter's continued commitment to the next generation of military leaders. Gary Macnamara, James McLanahan, and Jim Cragg presented Awards of Excellence to outstanding cadets at UCLA and Cal State Fullerton. Gary also carried the chapter's presence to the Santiago High School JROTC awards in Garden Grove, representing the 82nd Airborne Division Association with distinction. Our thanks to every contributor who helped make this issue possible. These are stories that deserve to be told—and remembered. Share this issue freely with anyone who values the history and legacy of the Special Forces. Do you have a story you'd like to share in the Sentinel? We'd love to hear from you. Please contact Sentinel editor How Miller at howmiller78@outlook.com. @jstrykermeyer @special_forces_association @jeffprusasky
To those who didn't have the opportunity to attend SFA Chapter 78's 2026 Valor Luncheon, here's what you missed! Join us next year! A big thank you to all who helped make the event possible! @Preisker Ranch @hps_ceo @homexpressmortgagecorp @socal.avag @experthomeloans @apexservicepartners @primalrisk, ATVIS, Mels' Mortgage Minute @melmclanahan, AdvisorAssociate.com, @kingsseafood, @americanlegionpost291, HomeComfort (service.homecomfortusa.com), Service to Success @militarytalent @wallinsurfboards @jamessteakandfire @jeff_skelton @catalinahorseback @risingsonsthaiboxing @brycekrause @bowmanhatco @xclibr_industries @special_forces_association @iamsunburst
The Best Defense Foundation sent eight MACV-SOG Vets back to FOB 4 in Da Nang. Their Battlefield Return program provides help to bring closure to vets by returning them to their battlefields. Originally focused on WWII veterans, the program has been expanded to include Vietnam War veterans. Visit Best Defense Foundation at bestdefensefoundation.org to learn more about this group. @bestdefensefoundation #macvsog #vietnamwar #VietnamVeteran
From John Stryker Meyer: "It’s my sad duty to report that we lost Khanh 'Cowboy' Doan, 78, today in San Jose, according to family members. Cowboy served with Lynne M. Black Jr. on the historic SOG mission in Laos, where ST Alabama, on Oct. 5, 1968, battled an NVA division of 10,000 NVA soldiers all day, and lived to talk about it. One month later, he ran a mission with ST Virginia with Doug 'The Frenchman' LeTourneau in Laos. During his many years of running SOG missions, he was wounded several times, but never quit. The photo in this post was taken standing with Jocko Willink and yours truly following the Jocko Podcast interview in 2020. His interview with Jocko is posted on YouTube, Jocko Podcast # 258." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ca73ynwzTs&t=373s @jstrykermeyer @historyofmacvsog @the_reconnaissance_cast_ @bcooper960 @jeffprusasky
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Featured Member:
Ramon Rodriguez

We salute a former Chapter 78 President (2003-2007), Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War, receiving a total of 17 combat medals and awards, including three Silver Stars and five Purple Hearts, and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. Ramon Rodriguez retired after 23 years of service as a Command Sergeant Major.

Ramon is currently the Chairman of the Board for the American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG). AVAG is a community of veterans in manufactured housing communities located in Southern California. The purpose of AVAG is to thank and reward our veterans for their service to our country by providing them with a way to connect with one another in a supportive, encouraging living environment and to promote the availability of affordable housing.

Learn more about Ramon Rodriguez. Click here visit his member profile.

Ramon Rodriguez was interviewed by Chapter member How Miller on February 17, 2024.

View on YouTube

© Copyright 2026 | Special Forces Association Chapter 78 | All Rights Reserved

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

THANK YOU
to all who attended
SFA Chapter 78’s
2026 Valor Luncheon.

A special thank you to our sponsors!
Your contributions made this event possible.
2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION
VALOR LUNCHEON

Sunday, April 19, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA

FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER

U.S. Army LTC (Ret.)
Henry “Dick” Thompson, Ph.D.

Legendary MACV-SOG Veteran, Codename “Dynamite”
Internationally recognized consultant, educator, speaker, and author

Sponsor the Valor Luncheon
Your support makes a difference.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
On The Greens Conference Center, Cypress, CA
2025 Valor Luncheon attendees listen to Tony Viggiani's inspiring story.

Thank you
to all who attended
SFA Chapter 78’s
2025 Valor Luncheon.

A special thank you
to our sponsors!
Your contributions made
this event possible.
Preisker Ranch
 
HomeXpress Mortgage Corp.
 
In memory of
COL Roger H.C. Donlon, MOH
Friend of SFA Chapter 78
 
American Veterans Assistance Group
 
APEX Service Partners
 
Expert Home Loans
 
Primal Risk
2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA 90630

Featuring Guest Speaker

Navy Cross Recipient
U.S. Marine Corps CW04
Anthony L. Viggiani

Auctions

“Raise Your Paddles”

for the benefit of
Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy and
the ACL Afghan Community Summer Youth Program
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