ON THE COVER: After the August 23, 1968 attack on FOB 4/CCN, Chapter 78 member Doug LeTourneau stands under CCN’s new entrance sign, which he built and put up to replace the sign lost in the attack. Click here to read John Stryker Meyers’ story about the attack. This issue includes an excerpt from John’s Across the Fence, which tells a story of Doug’s journey from newcomer to combat veteran under intense circumstances. (Photo courtesy of John Stryker Meyer)
In this issue:
Attention Members: Register NOW for SFA Con 2025
Information about the upcoming SFACON in Las Vegas. Scheduled to be held concurrently with SOAR for the first time ever.
Bargewell Weekend • July 11-12, 2025
Celebrating the legacy of service by Hoquiam native MG Eldon Bargewell. The Delta Park Committee invites all past and future donors, military veterans, and the community to visit Hoquaim, WA, and to enjoy the events of the weekend.
Click here to view a Blast from the Past!
COL (Ret.) Vahan Sipantzi shares memories of his longtime friend Clyde Sincere, who passed in March. Vahan and Clyde met in 1952 when they were among the first accepted into what would become the Army Special Forces.
From the Archive:
Cambodian Incursion, 1970 — Part Three
From the July 2021 Sentinel — the final installment of How Miller’s three-part series on U.S. operations in 1970s Cambodia, drawing on LTC Fred Lindsey’s Secret Green Beret Commando and Billy Waugh’s Hunting the Jackal to unravel MACV-SOG’s secret missions.
WHAT’S NEW?
Lethality Prism – It’s Just the Tip — YouTube Short
Playlists: Chapter Meeting Presenters
The Truth About Lethality: How Special Operators Train for a Lifetime of Readiness.
Lethality is just the tip of the spear. What really keeps Special Operators ready for life is what lies beneath. In this focused clip Nate Palin, a former Ranger and Special Operations strength coach breaks down the Human Performance Pyramid—a framework used to train elite warfighters not just for combat, but for career-spanning performance. Click here to watch Nate’s full presentation.
William “Hawk” Albracht – U.S. Army Special Forces, Vietnam
Playlists: Vietnam
William “Bill” Albracht—codename “Hawk” at age 21 was the youngest captain in Special Forces. In this video he tell he story of his memorable initiation into combat at Firebase Kate, which was his first command.
USA Warrior Stories Inc. is a Not-For-Profit organization which records, archives, and shares videos of Veterans telling their stories, with the goal of to help Veterans make connections and to help the public to better understand their sacrifices for our freedom.
Newly uncovered ABC footage helps family hear late war hero father’s voice again
Featured Playlist: Vietnam
ABC News uncovered footage in their archives of an interview with U.S. Army Captain Riley Leroy Pitts. Captain Pitts was the first African-American officer to receive the Medal of Honor. The medal was presented posthumously by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 10, 1968 for actions in Ap Dong, Republic of Vietnam.
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SOGCast
Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
056: Just Another Day in SOG with Robert “Bru” Taylor
John Stryker Meyer, call sign—Tilt, interviews Robert “Bru” Taylor ran SOG Recon missions from CCN, “just another day in SOG.”
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other major podcast providers. Video episodes are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.
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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