ON THE COVER: The U.S. Navy fast patrol craft PCF-38 of Coastal Division 11 patrols the Cai Ngay Canal in South Vietnam. PCF—Patrol Craft Fast—was the Navy’s name for Swift Boats, which often worked with Special Forces teams on dangerous canal patrols like the one described in Albert Kittredge’s story in this issue. (Department of the Navy photo)
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.
Thank you to our SFA Valor Luncheon Sponsors and Raffle & Auction Donors
To all of our sponsors and donors, and those who will be added to our ever-growing list—you all make this event possible!
Former Green Beret Albert Kittredge shares a brief account from his book MY WAR: VIETNAM 1968–1969, 1971–1973. While serving as commander of A-415 near Tuyên Nhơn, his camp hosted a U.S. Navy Swift Boat detachment for several weeks. The story recounts an ambushed patrol and the quick response from camp personnel, including medic Dallas Padget, who had originally been assigned from MACV.
Inside the Quiet Profession’s Front Door: Life as a Special Forces Recruiter/Liaison
MSG Chris LaSala offers an inside look at the Special Forces recruiting and liaison mission, emphasizing character, preparation, and the responsibility to send only qualified candidates forward.
Textbook Special Ops: The Son Tay Raid Part 2
This issue concludes the two-part excerpt from Textbook Special Ops: The Son Tay Raid by planner and participant John Gargus and Cliff Westbrook. Part 2 picks up as the raid unfolds on the ground—amid Navy diversionary strikes, airborne surveillance over the Gulf of Tonkin, and North Vietnamese SAM sites coming to life.
Special Forces Association Convention 2026
Mark your calendar! Reconnect, Remember, Recharge at Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 7-12 June 2026.
SFA Chapter 78 February 2026 Chapter Meeting
“Shoot Back at Cupid”— Iron Mike’s Guns, Yorba Linda, CA
From the Archive:
FULRO at Lac Thien (A236, II Corp, RVN) 1965
From the April 2018 Sentinel—Don Gonneville recounts a little-known 1965 FULRO uprising at A-236 in Lac Thien, where Montagnard forces briefly seized control of a Special Forces camp. Set against the broader struggle for Montagnard autonomy, the story highlights the complexity of alliances—and the lasting weight of decisions made in the field.
WHAT’S NEW?
All I Cared About Was My Marines | Afghanistan Combat Story
Marine Gunner Tony Viggiani, Navy Cross recipient, speaks about combat, leadership, and the journey home
At 10,000 feet in the mountains of Afghanistan, Tony Viggiani faced a life-or-death ambush. In this powerful keynote, he shares the story of that 2004 firefight and the “second battle” many veterans face: the transition home and the courage to ask for help.
Tony was our featured speaker at last year’s Valor Luncheon, helping raise vital funds for Special Forces Association Chapter 78, the Sunburst Youth Academy, and Afghan Commando families.
SOGCast 047: Jason Hardy – SOG Demystified
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
“SOG Demystified” features host John Stryker Meyer (“Tilt”) in a deep, nearly 3-hour conversation with Jason Hardy, a dedicated historian and author on MACV-SOG. They break down the myths, clarify the real history, and dive into the untold stories of the legendary Studies and Observations Group — the covert special ops unit from the Vietnam War. Perfect for anyone into special forces history, clandestine ops, and preserving the legacy of these warriors.
SOGCast 048: SOG Codename “Dynamite” Digs Into Explosive, Mind-Bending SOG Missions.
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
John Stryker Meyer sits down with legendary MACV-SOG 1-0 “Dynamite” Dick Thompson, soon-to-be keynote speaker at our Valor Luncheon on April 19, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet this legend in person!
Listen to Tilt’s for an explosive, mind-bending deep dive into some of the most intense, classified missions of the Secret War in Vietnam. From high-risk recon and hair-raising encounters to the raw courage and brotherhood that defined SOG — this 2+ hour episode delivers straight fire.
Subscribe to @sfachapter78 on YouTube!
Be sure to select “All Notifications” to keep up with our new content. Watch and share the videos on our channel and stay tuned—new videos are on the way!
SOGCast
Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
Episode 060: Hawaiian SOG Warrior, Jim “Kimo” Wheeler. From SOG to the CIA
Hawaiian born and raised in a warrior tradition, Jim “Kimo” Wheeler volunteered for Vietnam and joined the ranks of MACV-SOG during the Secret War. From brutal recon missions in the DMZ and Laos to surviving grenades, firefights, and near-death extractions, he lived the reality of unconventional warfare.
After SOG, his service continued for decades in Special Forces and later with the CIA’s Special Activities Division, conducting paramilitary operations across the globe.
This is a story of loyalty, sacrifice, quiet professionalism — and a lifetime spent serving the United States of America.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other major podcast providers. Video episodes (one of which is shown above) 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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