In this issue:
A recap of this year’s combined SFACon and SOAR.
Help Honor Our Heroes: Support the Special Forces Monument
SFA Chapter 88, located in Northeast Florida, needs your help to raise funds for a Special Forces Monument to be located in the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Book Review: I Walked With Heroes by Jerry Guzzetta
How Miller reviews Jerry Guzzetta’s I Walked with Heroes, an insightful and irreverent glimpse into what it was like to serve in SOG, where heroism was a common trait. He discusses five Medal of Honor recipients and much, much more.
An Excerpt from I Walked With Heroes by Jerry Guzzetta—CHAPTER XIII: Operation Tailwind
Jerry has allowed us to share an excerpt from his book with us: Chapter XIII, about the large SOG “Operation Tailwind” to help out the CIA in Laos. Michael Hagan, who was on the operation, attended the same high school as Jerry, and they became fast friends at CCC in Kontum, South Vietnam. Medic Gary Rose received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during that operation. It is an exciting and informative read.
CSM George A. Vidrine Sr. (1924–2004): Like A Bad Penny, He Kept Showing Up!
Reader Ben Rapaport shares the compelling story of CSM George Vidrine, a fascinating man whose distinguished infantry and Special Forces career often crossed paths with Ben’s own service in the Signal Corps. Beyond chronicling their friendship, Ben provided a wealth of references for readers eager to learn more about this remarkable man.
In Vietnam With MACV-SOG Legend George Washington Bacon III: A Story From Teammate ‘Tilt’
Chapter member, author, SOG veteran, and SOGCAST host John “Tilt” Stryker Meyer recounts the story of SOG legend George Bacon III. Bacon was wounded during the catastrophic NVA attack on FOB 4 on August 23, 1968. Following his SOG service, he went on to a distinguished career with the CIA, notably serving as an advisor to Laotian General Vang Pao.
SFA Chapter 78 September Out and About—Veterans Day Youth Leadership Experience
Chapter 78 members joined American Legion Post 283 Veterans Day Youth Leadership Experience, held November 9th at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, an event that brought high school students together with Special Forces veterans and military leaders to explore courage, character, and leadership.
From the Archive:
The 46th Special Forces Company: Part II
From the Sentinel of March 2015—the first part of a planned series of articles on the establishment and operations of Company D, 1st Special Forces Group, later the 46th Special Forces Company, written by retired SGM John Martin exclusively for the Sentinel. Some of the topics and operations discussed had not been published before. Many members of Special Forces know little or nothing regarding some of these previously confidential projects.
SFA Chapter 78
CHRISTMAS PARTY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025
Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club
1601 Bayside Dr
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
1500 Cocktail Hour • Program Start Time 1600
With Guest Speaker,
Norma Shinno Irving Donlon
Author of Soldiers’ Widow… Soldiers Wife… Soldiers Mother…
Featured in the September 2025 Sentinel
Live Singer and Dancing
Libations • Raffle
COST: $40.00 per person, same for guests
Special Note: Members of C/1/19 are invited to attend FREE.
Please send RSVP to contact@specialforces78.com.
Please mail your check payable to SFA 78 no later than 12/6/25 to:
Santiago Corp, PO Box 11927, Santa Ana, CA 92711, Attn: Liz Rios
DRESS
Men: SFA Green Blazers, White Shirt with Regimental Tie, Dark or Gray Slacks, or Sport Coat with Tie
Ladies: Cocktail Attire
If you haven’t sent your check in before December 6th, please email contact@specialforces78.com so we can have an accurate head count. Please make sure your check arrives on or before the 6th.
QUESTIONS??? Feel free to call or text Aaron Brandenburg (719) 963-3948 or send an email to abrandenburg443@gmail.com.
WHAT’S NEW?
Paris Davis | Medal of Honor – Part 1: THE MAKING OF A WARRIOR
Featured Channel: Savage Game Design
Featured Playlist: Paris Davis: Medal of Honor
In 1965, wounded Special Forces officer Paris Davis refused to leave the battlefield until he had saved his wounded teammates during a brutal fight with a VC battalion. Though he was recommended for the Medal of Honor, the paperwork was lost—twice. More than 50 years later, his heroism was finally recognized, aided in part by a digital battle reconstruction created by Savage Game Design.
The video linked above begins a powerful three-part interview series telling the story of the man behind the medal.
#153 MAC V -SOG Operators Gene Pugh and Travis Mills Part 3
Featured Channel: The Medevac Podcast
Featured Playlist: MACV-SOG
This was on the list last month, but this YouTube entry is here again for those who may have missed it then. The episode linked above is one of a four-part interview with Gene Pugh and Travis Mills in which they discuss the history of MACV-SOG. Both enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam conflict and wanted to be the best they could be. This led them both to join the Special Forces and serve in the legendary MACV-SOG unit. Gene Pugh recently suggested that this episode, #153, was actually the best starting point chronologically. Follow up by listening to #154, #151, and #152, in that order.
Henry Dick Thompson Survived The Impossible Mission
Featured Channel: Nothing Left Unsaid
Featured Playlist: MACV-SOG
Tim Green and his son, Troy, interview Dick “Dynamite” Thompson, MACV-SOG veteran. This interview uncovers what Dick learned in combat about fear, stress, leadership and faith, and what the human body can do under extreme pressure.
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.
058: RT Florida – Robert Sinton, Seven Days on the Run
Robert “Bob” Sinton ran Missions with RT Florida based at CCN. Inserted into an area no team could stay in, out of water, tracked by NVA, and still pushing the mission. Bob Sinton breaks down a full seven-day recon, how his Montagnard team kept him alive, and what it took to outthink the enemy in their backyard.
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.
[…] Sentinel. The December 2025 issue is now posted online. Topics include the SFACON and SOAR 2025 conventions in Las Vegas, a book review of I Walked With Heroes, profile of CSM George Vidrine, a history of MACV-SOG / CIA George Baccon, and some history of the 46th Special Forces Company.https://www.specialforces78.com/chapter-78-newsletter-for-december-2025/ […]