In Memory of
Major (Ret.)
Clyde Joseph Sincere, Jr.

September 11, 1932-March 17, 2025

By Debra Holm

On March 17, 2025, the Special Forces community lost one of its earliest and most dedicated members. Major (Ret.) Clyde Joseph Sincere, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully in Arizona, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service, sacrifice, and brotherhood.

A Life of Service

Born in Coleman, Wisconsin, on September 11, 1932, Clyde was the eldest of 13 children. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17, beginning a 21-year military career, first serving with airborne units before volunteering to become one of the original members of the newly formed U.S. Army Special Forces—earning his place among the first “Green Berets.” Rising through the ranks from enlisted man to officer, he retired as a Major in 1971.

Major Sincere served in Special Forces units across Europe and Asia, including multiple tours in Vietnam with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG).

His valor earned him numerous commendations, including two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism during operations in November 1966. Click here to read the full Distinguished Service Cross citation.

Young SGT Clyde Sincere.

Below: In 1959, Clyde was hand-picked with 26 SF Troopers from the 1st SFG (A) to travel TDY to the Philippines to participate as extras in the movie “Merrill’s Marauders” with Jeff Chandler and the film’s Military Advisor Lieutenant General Sam Wilson, (a veteran Marauder in WWII who was then a Lieutenant Colonel assigned as the XO of the 6th SFG (A). Clyde may be the second guy kneeling from the right. (Photo courtesy Ray Ogden)

Continuing the Mission

After retiring from the Army, Clyde continued to serve, working from 1979 to 1996 with the Vinnell Corporation. While employed at Vinnell, he worked in Saudi Arabia, where he was involved in training the Saudi Arabian National Guard, and also spent time on assignments in California and Virginia.

Clyde joined the Special Forces Decade Association (now the Special Forces Association) after he retired in 1996. As a member of SFA Chapter 11, he played a role in the execution of the “1990 Annual SFA Convention,” which ran concurrently with the “50th Anniversary of U.S. Army Airborne” held in Washington, D.C. He served as chapter secretary from 1998 to 2004.

He was also a Life Member and President Emeritus of the Special Operations Association (SOA). Since the SOA’s establishment in 1977, he served for 37 consecutive years in key leadership, advocacy, and outreach positions within the SOA.

In 2018, he was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment—an honor reflecting a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and leadership. Click here to read the full citation for his DMOR honor.

A Family Man

He is survived by Mary L. Sincere, his beloved wife of over 70 years; sons Jim, John, and Andrew; daughters-in-law Barbara, Vera, Su, and Lisa; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Carl, Camille, Terry, Miriam, and Maureen. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Thomas, and siblings Mary Aline, Dick, Bill, Carol, Jim, Christine, and Maria.

Major (Ret.) Clyde Sincere and his wife, Mary, at SOAR XLI in 2017. (Photo courtesy Lonny Holmes)

Left, Major (Ret.) Clyde J. Sincere, Jr., center, LTC Joseph M. Sincere, and, at right, Joe’s father, LTC (Ret.) Clyde J. Sincere, III, on the occation of Joseph M. Sincere, grandson of Maj. (Ret.) Clyde J. Sincere Jr., promotion to LTC on December 3, 2018 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (Photo courtesy Lonny Holmes)

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley, Arizona. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery is pending. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clyde’s memory may be made to the Special Operations Association Scholarship Fund.

Clyde Sincere after a mission. (Photo courtesy Ray Oden)

Remembering Clyde:
Tributes from Friends and Fellow Warriors

John Stryker Meyer: “I served with Clyde at FOB 1 Phu Bai. He was an officer who cared for his men.”

John “Doc” Padgett: “I did not have the good fortune to serve with Clyde Sincere, so I cannot add to the accounts of his courage and martial skills, though legendary. Instead, I got to know Clyde as a fellow member of the Special Operations Association (SOA).

“When I first learned of the SOA and joined up, Clyde was already an integral and formative member. Clyde had kept his finger on the pulse of the organization, even when not an officer or director of the SOA. He proudly accepted the title of “SOA President Emeritus” and was always recognized at the reunion’s closing banquet. Always ready to give advice or the benefit of experience, he was a trusted asset. One of the roles in which I remember Clyde the best was his position as “door guard” and dispenser of reunion gifts at the SOA reunion (SOAR) every year. Clyde kept an eye on the comings and goings of the attendees, as well as being certain that no one who was registered missed their gift. But woe to the miscreant who tried to snag more than he was due!

Major (Ret.) Clyde Sincere and Col. Roger Donlon, MOH—the crossed canes of two SF Giants at the 2017 SOAR—proving that two 85-year-old warriors still can have fun! (Photo courtesy Lonny Holmes)

“These things Clyde accomplished with a smile, a sense of humor, and—always—dignity. Clyde and his partner for life, Mary, attended the reunions faithfully until failing health put a stop to their attendance.

“On a personal note, when I was honored to serve as SOA Chaplain, Clyde and I had a couple of quiet conversations concerning faith and eternity. His faith ran deep, and he had an uncomplicated grasp on his relationship with the Lord. I have no doubt that when the rest of us reach the Final Formation, Clyde will check us in and give us our reunion gift: our wings…”

Clyde Sincere and MG Vic Hugo at the OSS Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, U.S. Congress, 2018. (Photo courtesy Ray Oden)

Bonnie Cooper: “Clyde was the 4th President of the SOA and shepherded it through its early growth and getting itself organized. He and a few of his friends were known as “the Utah Mafia” for their dominance with the SOA leadership.

“He attended every SOAR from number 1, in 1977, until 2022, when he had to cancel due to his wife Mary’s failing health. Clyde and I spoke just a few weeks before his death, and he never gave up the hope that he would attend at least one more SOAR. We talked about him making it next year for the 50th SOAR.

“He was a great communicator and was always calling old friends. He often lost his address book and would call me for help getting a needed phone number. He was nearly done writing his book on a Mike Force Blackjack mission he ran in November 1966. Clyde was a mentor at heart, and I’m so honored that I got to know him.”

Richard Simonian and Major (Ret.) Clyde Sincere at the 10th Special Forces Group reunion celebration in 2017. Both served in 10th Group together in Bad Tölz, Germany in 1953-54 Richard was an E-4 and Clyde was an E-7. (Photo courtesy Lonny Holmes)

Ray Oden: “MAJ (R) Sincere’s accomplishments and contributions to the Regiment rank him well above his peers and constituents. The way he lives can be summed up by his own words: “As it regards “working together” in SF and SOG—yes, and that is what it is all about – Fraternity/Brotherhood, etc.”