Loading...
Home2026-06-01T00:41:38-07:00

SFA Chapter 78 SENTINEL

THE Newsletter of the Quiet Professional

Published monthly—featuring stories of interest to the entire SF community.

Help ACL provide for

Afghan refugee families

Help Affordable Community Living (ACL) by donating goods or with monetary donations as they work to place the families into homes.

The 1208 FOUNDATION

NEEDS YOUR HELP.

Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other major podcast providers. Video episode are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.

Check out our Instagram feed!

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
Look carefully at the weapon being carried by the soldier at the far left. A bow! This is CCS [Command and Control South] One-Zero Robert Graham, who used a bow and arrows in combat. Read about this at https://www.coffeeordie.com/article/macv-sog-bow-arrows. Or you can listen to him tell his story on John Stryker Meyer's SOGCast 20 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrMu8M7e_cM&list=PLj2W9J4Jh-DrWVUxB5rrk3Yfr4bF_VH3N&index=19&t=5081s @jstrykermeyer @jeffprusasky #sog #vietnamwar #secretwar
In this issue of the Sentinel (link in bio) we look at what’s been happening within our chapter—events, efforts, and the people who make it all work. But this issue continues our long-standing mission: sharing the history and hard-earned lessons of Army Special Forces. We highlight our 3rd Annual Valor Luncheon Fundraiser. This high-energy and enjoyable event brought together members, supporters, and friends of Chapter 78 for a memorable day of camaraderie and purpose—helping us raise funds to continue our mission to support SF soldiers, veterans, and allied partners through direct aid, community programs, and mission-focused initiatives. On the history side, Matt Dorn tells the story of the 300th Special Forces Operational Detachment (SFOD) – USAR, the Army Reserve’s first Special Forces unit. Formed in 1955, the 300th helped lay the groundwork for Reserve Special Forces—training hard, building capability, and setting the standard for “Anything, Anyplace, Anytime, Anyhow.” NOTE: MSG (Ret.) Matt Dorn is continuing his effort to document the history of USAR/ARNG Special Forces units. If you served in these units—or know someone who did—consider contributing. Share your stories, photos, and memories directly with Matt at 24groupsin1959@gmail.com. We include both a review and selected excerpts from "A Factual History of the Vietnam War: A Reappraisal After 50 Plus Years," edited by Frank Scotton, Stephen Sherman, and Roger Soiset. These pieces revisit the 1963 Buddhist crisis and the fall of Ngo Dinh Diem—offering perspective on decisions that reshaped the course of the war, especially as we reflect on the April 30 anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Finally, don’t miss details on SFACon 2026, coming up June 7–12 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida—time is running out to register. As always, thank you for your continued support of Chapter 78. @homexpressmortgagecorp @socal.avag @experthomeloans @apexservicepartners @primalrisk @AVAG @melmclanahan @kingsseafood @americanlegionpost291 @militarytalent @wallinsurfboards @jamessteakandfire @jeff_skelton @catalinahorseback @hps_ceo @jeffprusasky @miranda_in_sterling @theheavymac @ironmikesrange @iamsunburst
Loading the next set of instagram posts...
LOAD MORE POSTS

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
Go to Top