ON THE COVER: After stabilizing crew chief Spec. William “Buddy” Jarrell, the sole survivor of the May 13, 1991 MEDEVAC crash in Honduras, members of the search team release his Stokes litter as he is transported from the crash scene. Greg Walker’s “Another died in my place—Part 1” tells the full story beginning on page 5 of this issue. (Photo by Spec. Jeff Troth, image courtesy Ken Kik)
In this issue:
SAVE THE DATE—Don’t miss this years’ SFA Valor Luncheon!
SFA Chapter 78 will host its 3rd annual Valor Luncheon in April 2026, with guest speaker Henry “Dick” Thompson.
The Forgotten Warriors: 2025 Update on Helping the Montagnards in Vietnam
SFA Chapter 88 needs your help! They reached 58% of their goal to raise $18K in early December to raise funds for the Special Forces Monument to be located in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, located in Northeast Florida. They still need to raise additional funds to complete the project by their deadline!
“Another died in my place.” —Part 1
Chapter member Greg Walker, a retired Green Beret and investigative reporter, brings to light a tragedy from the little-known SF operations in 1980s El Salvador. Through years of painstaking research, Greg uncovers the truth behind a nighttime rescue mission that cost three pilots their lives—a story of fatal mistakes, ignored procedures, and a cover-up that denied heroes their due recognition and families their closure.
Retired Special Forces officer Ted Mataxis Jr. honors his father’s remarkable military legacy in Ride to the Sound of the Guns. Drawing from his father’s own writings, Ted Jr. chronicles a career spanning WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and operations against the Russians in Afghanistan—including the unique period when father and son served simultaneously in Vietnam.
Words of Praise for Ride to the Sound of the Guns
Perspectives from generals and warriors on a book documenting a life that spanned WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War.
Textbook Special Ops: The Son Tay Raid
Get the definitive account—order Textbook Special Ops: The Son Tay Raid today
From the Archive:
Three Rifle Volley VS 21 Gun Salute: The Difference Explained
Originally published in the February 2016 Sentinel—retired Command Sergeant Major Robert Crebbs shares the history and significance behind the Three Rifle Volleys—and explains why they are not the same as a 21-Gun Salute. A clear, respectful look at how military tradition honors the fallen.
WHAT’S NEW?
Fresh Whole Blood in Afghanistan | How Special Forces Medics Rewrote Battlefield Trauma Care
Playlist: Chapter Meeting Presenters
Special Forces Medical Sergeant Scott McHugh shares a firsthand account of how battlefield medicine was transformed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on 21 years of Army service—including 17 in Special Forces—he describes the failures of early war trauma doctrine and the lifesaving innovations medics developed in isolation. The talk explores tourniquets, whole blood transfusions, prolonged field care, and the hard realities of keeping teammates alive far from help.
Your Email Is the Weak Point: Digital Self-Defense for Everyday Life
Playlist: Chapter Meeting Presenters
Most cyberattacks begin by exploiting people, not software. In this practical talk, security professional and Green Beret Aaron Maben explains why your primary email is the foundation of your digital identity and how attackers use it to compromise accounts and personal data. He offers clear, realistic steps—strong passphrases, multi-factor authentication, password managers, and breach response—to help anyone reduce risk and limit damage.
Green Beret Tells the War Stories He Never Thought He’d Survive!
Featured Channel: Urban Valor
Featured Playlist: GWOT
On Urban Valor, Herb Thompson—the only Soldier to earn both the Green Beret and Drill Sergeant of the Year honors—shares his remarkable Army career. He recounts combat experiences in Afghanistan, the demands of Special Forces selection, and the leadership lessons learned over 21 years of service. Herb also describes the toughest battle of all: defending his reputation against false accusations and internal politics.
SOGCast 043: Rick Freeman – Cobras Supporting SOG, to Fighter Jets.
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
RIck Freeman went from flying Cobra gunships supporting SOG missions to flying fighter jets.
SOGCast 044: Gene Pugh Ran SOG Recon and Survived Sapper Attack
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
Gene Pugh ran SOG Recon and survived the sapper attack on Aug. 23, 1968, that killed 16 Green Berets.
SOGCast 045: Close Support for SOG. Don Engebretsen, The Skyraider
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
Don Engebretsen, A-1 Skyraider pilot, details close support to SOG recon teams, including a MOH recipient.
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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.
[…] Sentinel. The February 2026 issue is now posted online. An update on America’s “Forgotten Warriors” – the Montagnards in Vietnam, a story of secret ops in El Salvador during the 1980s, book review of “Textbook Special Ops: the Son Tay Raid”, and video about Colonel Mataxis – a career combat soldier.https://www.specialforces78.com/chapter-78-newsletter-for-february-2026/ […]