In this issue:
From the Archive:
SINGLAUB—PARACHUTING INTO PRISON: Special Ops in China
Jim Morris contributed to the September 2020 Sentinel excerpts of an interview with Major General Jack Singlaub. MG Singlaub describes how, in 1945, shortly before the Japanese surrender, he led a parachute rescue mission into an enemy Prisoner of War Camp on Hainan Island. This operation resulted in the liberation of hundreds of Allied POWs.
Click to view or download
print edition (pdf)
ON THE COVER: Team Sergeant Roy Johnson cooking lunch under fire. (Photo courtesy Russell Mann)
SOGCast
Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
040: Duong Ngoc Nhu – Heroic Kingbee pilot saved SOG teams in Laos, Cambodia.
John Stryker Meyer, call sign—Tilt, interviews Duong Ngoc Nhu, who during the eight-year secret war, was a Kingbee pilot in one of the bravest aviation units, the 219th Special Operations Sqaudron of the S. Vietnamese Air Force.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other major podcast providers. Video episodes are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.
Members of the Montagnard American community have expressed growing concern for family and community who remain in Vietnam.
MONTAGNARDS IN VIETNAM NEED ACCESSIBLE PATHS TO PERMANENT PROTECTION AND RESETTLEMENT IN THE U.S. CONGRESS HAS A CRUCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
We call on Congress to oversee the resettlement of Montagnards and address religious persecution and arbitrary imprisonment in Vietnam.
Honor U.S. MACV-SOG with the Congressional Gold Medal
If you haven’t already done so, please sign this petition today! Any American citizen is qualified to sign this petition to support of the effort to honor these unsung heroes and see them receive the recognition they so rightfully deserve.
We need your help! If you’ve already signed, please share this petition on social media, email, or even by word of mouth!
Read and share Jack Murphy’s “The push has begun to have MACV-SOG awarded a Congressional Gold Medal” on Audacy.com. This article discusses the history of MACV-SOG, why this award has not been presented to them already, and what it would mean to the men and their families.
From the Editor:
This issue begins with my review of Jim Morris’ newly published trilogy of three books which includes the much-heralded War Story with tales of Vietnam, The Devil’s Secret Name, describing Jim’s globetrotting civilian war reporting, and Fighting Men, where he tells action stories that were told to him. Even if you have already read two of these books, it is a fantastic deal.
You then have an opportunity to help shape the design of the U.S. Congress-approved GWOT Memorial, which will be located adjacent to the “The Wall.” Share your thoughts by January 31st at GWOTMF.org/helpdesignhistory/. Hear from Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, a retired Green Beret GWOT 10 tour veteran who is now enthusiastically running the show: https://youtu.be/xdnBkXwMyYI?si=RWQOaDjjTfXzfpxs. But HURRY, the deadline has been extended for SFA members to give their input.
Frequent Sentinel contributor, retired Green Beret Greg Walker, reports on this year’s gathering of SOG veterans and recon-related personnel at the Special Operators Association Reunion (SOAR) in Las Vegas. He tells of recognitions awarded, including one for the amazing Bonnie Cooper. Greg rather demurely neglected to mention that he gave a very well-received presentation, largely about El Salvador.
Then Greg tells of a success through diligence, resulting in the family of SPC Earnest Dawson receiving the posthumous POW Medal that was unable to be delivered to them in a timely manner due to a lack of contact information.
Russell Mann, a Sentinel reader and friend of fellow Khe Sanh vet Denis Chericone, has sent us some interesting material. In “The Finger of God,” Russell relates events during the intense 77-day siege of the Khe Sanh Marine base and the much smaller SF FOB3, physically attached to it. He follows that with a poem that succinctly conveys a prevalent attitude during the siege.
Denis Chericone gives us another well-written tale about a REMF that took his braggadocio a bit too far. We all treasure the support we receive to accomplish the mission and, far too often, save our bacon. This does not fall under that category and leaves us with a feeling of satisfaction.
Medal of Honor recipient Paris Davis, retired Green Beret, served as the Grand Marshall of the Hollywood Christmas parade, followed by Rangers of the USARA and Green Berets of SFA Chapter 78.
Hamm Sally was chosen to present his experience at Khe Sanh to the City of Laguna Niguel’s Veterans Day celebrants. Coverage is on the President’s Page.
And please enjoy Rick Carter’s wonderful photos of our November chapter meeting.
How Miller
Sentinel Editor
SENTINEL Awards
- Awarded best Special Forces Association Monthly Newsletter at SFA National Convention June 2011 and 2014
- Awarded Golden Quill at SFA National Convention June 2015 and June 2016
- Best Newsletter Award for 2017 from Special Forces Association National Board of Directors at the International Convention in Fayetteville, NC
- Special Forces Association (SFA) Cross Arrow Award for Excellence, 2018, First Award Presented by SFA in this category
- The War Reporters Award, Presented by Alex Quade – (War Reporter and Film Producer) for Chapter 78 Sentinel’s Commitment documenting Special Forces History, July 2018
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2019 awarded by SFA National
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2020 awarded by SFA National
The Sentinel is published monthly by Special Forces Association Chapter 78, Southern California — art direction and design by Debra Holm, Dinwiddie Holm Graphics. The views, opinions and articles printed in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Army or the United States Special Operations Command, the Special Forces Association, or Special Forces Association Chapter 78. Please address any comments to the editor at sfachapter78@gmail.com.
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