ON THE COVER: Norma Shinno Irving Donlon at the December 5, 2018, dedication of 7th Special Forces Group Headquarters at Eglin Air Force Base, named in honor of her husband, Col. (Ret.) Roger H. C. Donlon, the first Green Beret Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. Norma’s smile reflects a secret triumph—click here to read about it in our “From the Archive” feature story. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jose Vargas)
In this issue:
Independence Veterans Memorial Park Proposal Faces Delays, But Supporters Remain Determined
A proposed memorial park in Independence to honor hometown heroes MG John Singlaub and CPT James Birchim faces delays, but supporters remain determined to see it built.
SFACON 2025 —Last Call!!! Register NOW!
Join us for the first-ever Joint SFACon and Special Operations Association gathering. Register now and reserve your room by 09/12/25 to ensure availability and special group rate.
Help Honor Our Heroes: Support the Special Forces Monument
SFA Chapter 88 located in Northeast Florida is seeking your help to raise funds for a Special Forces Monument to be located in the Jacksonville National Cemetery.
Book Review: Wartime Athletes: Stories of Sports Stars Who Joined the U.S. Team by Bill Brown
Marc Yablonka reviews Wartime Athletes by Bill Brown. Brown tells the stories of patriotic athletes, many who left successful sports careers to serve in the armed forces during a war, with some of them making the ultimate sacrifice.
Book Review: Soldiers Widow… Soldiers Wife… Soldiers Mother… by Norma Shinno Irving Donlon
How Miller reviews Norma Donlon’s book, Soldiers Widow…Soldiers Wife…Soldiers Mother… . Norma’s incredibly honest and powerful memoir tells her story is about coping with the loss of her first husband, killed in action in Vietnam, and finding love again. She also tells the story of being the mother of two sons who served during wartime.
Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale: Vietnam War Hero and Indomitable Spirit at the Hanoi Hilton
Marc Yablonka’s story about VADM James Stockwell and his heroic service as the leader of the American prisoners of war at the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. He relates his story and how much of an inspiration he was to others, during and even after the war.
One of our readers, LTC (ret.) Sam Seetin, sent us this short piece. Sam describes how a surprise inspection of his A camp by General Creighton Abrams helped save the camp, though not necessarily the way the general intended.
From the Archive:
Roger H. C. Donlon Dedication Service —SF Top Secrets Behind the Dedication
From the January 2019 Sentinel — Written by Chapter 78’s John S. Meyer, this story reads like a Special Forces operation!
In December 2018, the 7th Special Forces Group Headquarters was officially dedicated and named to honor COL (Ret.) Roger H. C. Donlon, the first Green Beret MOH recipient of the Vietnam War. COL Roger Donlon was there for the ceremony along with his wife, Norma. This story reveals Norma’s behind-the-scenes activity, which culminated in a surprise for COL Donlon at the ceremony. It also reveals that COL Donlon had been busy with an operation of his own.
WHAT’S NEW?
Horse Soldier Memoir: Chris Spence on 9/11, 5th Group & the Real-Life 12 Strong
Playlist: Chapter Meeting Presenters
Retired MSG Chris Spence shares his 9/11 story—deploying with ODA-595 into Afghanistan on horseback, blending 19th-century tactics with modern weapons. In this 19-min interview, he recalls linking up with Gen. Dostum, the truth vs. Hollywood in 12 Strong, the fight for women’s rights, and capturing the iconic photo that inspired the Horse Soldier statue.
Henry Dick Thompson – MACV-SOG Operator, Codename “Dynamite” | SRS #227
Featured Channel: The Shawn Ryan Show
Playlists: MACV-SOG, Vietnam, Army Special Forces
Shawn Ryan interviews Henry L. (Dick) Thompson, Ph.D., retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and legendary MACV-SOG operator known by the codename “Dynamite.” In this in-depth interview, Thompson tells his story about serving as a recon team leader from 1968 to 1970. While a member of MACV-SOG, he earned a reputation for bravery in brutal firefights and hand-to-hand combat. He led over 20 high-risk black ops deep into Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War’s secret campaigns.
After 21 years of military service, he founded High Performing Systems, Inc., which provides leadership solutions, training, and assessments for corporate, military, law enforcement, and firefighters in high-stress decision-making. He is the authored of several books, including the bestselling SOG Codename Dynamite: A MACV-SOG 1-0’s Personal Journal Books 1 and 2, sharing firsthand accounts of combat psychology and spiritual warfare.
Surrounded Special Forces Fight Hundreds of Taliban
Featured Channel: Black Rifle Coffee Company
Playlists: GWOT
SGM Charles “Chuck” Ritter tells his story in an episode of The Black Rifle Coffee Company’s “Stories of Survival.” Recently retired, SGM Ritter will be speaking at SFACON 2025 about the Afghan Commandos.
A comprehensive look at CQB tactics and techniques used by SF from the late 90s through GWOT.
Featured Channel: Modern Tactical Shooting
Playlists: GWOT
Retired U.S. Special Forces Master Sergeant Jeff Gurwitch, both a retired U.S. Army Special Forces operator and competitive 3-Gun shooter, launched his “Modern Tactical Shooting” YouTube channel back in 2021. His channel, named after his technical and tactical shooting training company, focuses on SF weapons, tactics, tactical and competitive.
In this video, Jeff covers the evolution of close quarter tactics trained on and used during GWOT.
SOGCast
Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
057: Hair-Raising SOG Tales. With Dale Hanson
Listen to Tilt’s new SOGCAST 057. Tilt sits down again with Dale Hanson. They discuss more hair-raising SOG tales of EXTREME VALOR in Dale’s new book SOG Missions to the Well which was just released in June. You can find this podcast in all of the major sources for podcasts.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other major podcast providers. Video episodes are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.
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!
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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