TAPS (SOA Members) - Page 2

KIMBER O. BUDROW, SOA #1694-GA, SGM, US Army, retired, passed away Sunday, 5 April 2009 at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Kim served with C&C Det, FOB4, and CCN. He was born on May 13, 1937, in Fowler, Ind., son of Delton and Margaret Colescott Budrow. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. At his retirement, he had attained the rank of Sgt. Major with the Army in Special Forces as a Green Beret. Among his many awards were the National Defense Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also had been employed as an archeologist for Louis & Berger in East Orange, N.J. He is survived by his wife, Linda Lippard of Kane; four children, Robin (Vance) Riggs of Huntsville, Ala., Michael (Carla) Budrow of DeForest, Wisc., Sheryl (John) Maher of Buffalo, N.Y. and Cynthia (Robert) Kwiatkowski of Stanley, N.C.; three step–children, Louisa Lippard of Queensbury, N.Y., Thomas Lippard of Smethport and Jennifer Lippard of Sharon; 15 grandchildren; and a sister, Oma Godina of Scottsdale, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held at a future date to be announced. Memorial donations may be made to the Special Forces Association. The Cummings Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.

BURREL "RAT" WILSON, SOA #1559-GL, MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 17 March 2009 while in WOMACK Army Medical Center. A Vietnam veteran, Rat's SF assignments included participating in MTT White Star in Laos in 1962 while with the 7th SFG(A), with 1st SFG (Okinawa) 1964, with SOG and 5th SFG(A) in Vietnam in '65, '66, '68-'68 and with USAIMA. His awards and decorations included Combat Infantryman Badge, Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Master Parachutist Badge and numerous other awards and decorations. He is survived by his companion Shirley Farrow, two sons, a daughter, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

JASON TAMASESE “WOODY” WOODWORTH, SOA #125-GL, MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 15 January 2009 in Hawaii. Woody’s Special Operations assignments included: FOB2 (C&C), OP 34A & 35A, and Liaison Bureau. He was a veteran of the Korean War serving with Co G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Prior to the Korean War he served with the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division in Japan. Other assignments included 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry, Okinawa, 1st, 3rd and 5th Special Forces Groups, MACV Recondo School and the Pathfinder Platoon, 25th Infantry Division. He also was attached to 1st Special Forces Group SCUBA Detachment twice: once as a medic and once as an interpreter. After retiring from the US Army, Woody went to work with Vinnell Corporation in Saudi Arabia and then went to work for Civil Service at the US Army Range Control Center at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Pohakuloa Training Center, Hawaii; Range Control, 2nd Infantry Division, South Korea. His many awards included the Silver Star for Heroism during the Korean War, Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutists Badge. Woody founded Chapter 43 of the Special Forces Association. Woody is survived by his beloved wife Jean, Hilo, Hawaii.

STEPHEN V. HAILEY, SOA #1792-GA, Born Jan 29, 1945, died Dec 28, 2008. Pilot for 195th for CCS. President, Hailey Co., Inc., family-owned and operated cattle ranch and farm. Mesa, WA HOR. Representative, Asst Republican Whip, Washington House of Representatives. Cancer. Wife Pat. Jay Hammond #1764-GL will deliver plaque. Steve was one of the pilots on the ill fated raid on COSVN wherein Jerry Shriver and others were lost. Awards include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 28 device and V device, graduate of Washington State Univ. and Eastern Washington Univ.

WILLIAM G. IGNATZ, SOA # 2008-GA, MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 12 October 2008 following a five year battle with cancer. Bill served with 8240th AU during the Korean War. Prior to his assignment with 8240th AU, he had served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team Pathfinders, participating in the combat jump at Sukchon, Korea on 20 October 1950. After his tour was up with the 8240th AU, he returned to the 187th ARCT and was reassigned to the Pathfinder Platoon. Bill served with the 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa and Vietnam. His awards and decorations include: Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge (2nd Award), Korean Honor Medal for his service with the 8240th AU, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Master Parachutist Badge with 1 battle star, and the Pathfinder Badge (cloth). After his retirement he became an Instructor Pilot in fixed wing aircraft and later was hired by the Alabama State Forestry Commission as the first full time district pilot with the primary mission of fire detection. He was Commander of Chapter 2211, Military Order of the Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife Jean; daughters Karen, Cynthia and Tina; Sons, William and Dennis; five grandchildren and two great grand children. And of course his two beloved canines, Maggie and Mugsley.

BILLY J. CHANCE, SOA #1315-GX, passed away 16 September 2008 at Wichita, KS. He was born September 20, 1933 in Kensington, the son of William and Emma Wachs Chance. a resident of Mt. Hope, he was a real estate broker and the former owner of Mt. Hope Clarion. He was a graduate of West Point and retired as Lt. Col. While at West Point, he played football under Red Blaik. During a game in 1964 against Duke, he played the entire 60 minutes: center on offense and linebacker on defense. He served two tours in White Star, as a 1st Lt. and then as a Capt. He also served as the Plans Officer for SOG 1966-67(OP35). On July 24, 1955 he married Joan Hunsberger in Mt. Hope. He is survived by his wife and his sons William and wife Candy in Dallas, and Mark and wife Kathy in Belle Plains; daughter, Jennifer Roden and husband Doug in Houston, sisters: Merna Lee Snay in Haven and Ferne Brooks in Wichita as well as five grandson: Nicholas, , Lee and Will Chance and Zach and Nate Roden. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother. The funeral was held at the United Methodist Church, Mt. Hope with the Rev. Donna Wise presiding. memorials may sent to the Mt. Hope Ambulance Fund in care of Wulf-Ast Mortuary, Mt. Hope.

LILBURN L. MYERS, SOA # 673-GA, LTC, US Army, retired, was killed in a tragic tractor accident on 23 July 2008 in New Kent, Virginia. Lee served with MACV-SOG. He also served in the 77th, 10th, 7th and 5th Special Forces Group, and SOTFE. He was a member and 1st Elected President of Chapter 33, SFA. Survivors include his wife Linda.

MITSUO “MITCH” MATSUOKA SOA # 2533-GA, died in a tragic accident 25 June 2008 while fishing at the Carson River near Lake Tahoe, California. Mitch had served with the 195th AHC flying for CCS, MACV-SOG 1968 – 1971. He was employed at ASML for the past 22 years. He is survived by his wife Patricia; daughter, Stefanie; and son, Eric.

LAWRENCE PATRICK SELLERS, SOA # 1804-GL, MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 20 June 2008 at a residential care facility in Santa Rosa, California. Larry served with Recondo, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam. He also served with the 10th, 77th and 1st Special Forces Group. Larry’s many awards and decorations included the Purple Heart and Combat Infantry’s Badge. Larry was a linguist speaking three languages. He was a member of Chapter 14, Monterey, California and the VFW in Marina, California. He is survived by his son, Lawrence Sellers, Jr. of Windsor, California; daughters Maggie Baird of Fresno, California and Jeanette Batton of Aiken, South Carolina; grandchildren, Mark Baird and Tracy Hansen; and five great grandchildren.

EVERETT L. “SAM” HOUSTON, SOA #164-G, passed away 19 June 2008 at his home in Redding, California from the effects of several types of cancer. Sam served with CCN, MACV-SOG 1969, B-55 Mike Force, and Air America in Laos. His awards and decorations include: Purple Heart, Air medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is survived by his wife Susan and two sons, John and Matt.

RONALD C. FLETCHER, SOA # 1997-GA, SGT, US Army, passed away 9 June 2008 peacefully in a hammock in the Colorado Mountains. Ron served with TF1AE, MACV-SOG. Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal with/V device. Ron served the Paducah Police Department and had attended Murray State University. Ron was the loving husband of Rebecca JaNelle Floyd Fletcher for 35 years, father of Heather Dyan Fletcher Jones; son-in-law Eric David Jones of Paducah, Jessica Noel Fletcher of Carbondale, Illinois and Matthew Ian Fletcher; daughter-in-law Jessica Lynn Cates Fletcher of Paducah, six grandchildren; sister Shirley Fletcher Schultz of Nashville, Tennessee; and brother Randall Brian Fletcher.

BUCKY N. SMITH, SOA # 469-GL, SGM, US Army, retired, passed away 3 June 2008. Bucky served with Star 1960-1961 and the Mike Force 1968. His other Special Forces assignments included 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10 Special Forces Groups. Bucky was also a veteran of the Korean War. Among his awards and decorations are Bronze Star with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the “V” Device, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge (2nd Award) and the Master Parachutist Badge. He is survived by his wife Akiko, two sons, a daughter, four sisters, a brother, six grandchildren, and thirteen grandchildren.

LARRY C. KENNEMER, SOA # 181-GL, CPT, US Army, retired passed away 27 May 2008 at the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Larry served with CCN, MACV-SOG. He also served with 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam, and 46th Special Forces Company. Among his many awards and decoration are the Bronze Star with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was a member of the Special Forces Association, First Christian Church and VFW Post # 8541. He was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Beverly Ann Kennemer in 2000. Survivors include his daughter, Leslie Adele Kennemer; son, Neal Clinton Kennemer; mother, Mary Ellen (Webber) Kennemer; sister, Karen V. Kennemer, and a host of other relatives and friends.

MARIO G. DURAN SOA # 279-GA, SFC, US Army retired, passed away 9 May 2008 in San Antonio, Texas. Mario served with CCS, MACV-SOG. Mario was also a member of the Special Forces Association. He is survived by his wife, daughter, sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

JOHN W. KORSBECK, SOA # 326-GL, CW2, US Army retired, passed away 1 May 2008 at a Malta Hospital in Montana of complications from exposure to chemicals during the Vietnam War. John served two tours in Vietnam. First, as a helicopter pilot with the 281st AHC flying for “Project Delta”, and later as a fixed wing pilot flying for 60th AHC. Prior to attending the Army Aviation School John served with the 3rd Special Forces Group. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and 45 Air Medals. John was also a member of the Special Forces association. John is survived by his wife Judy of Malta; a son, Kelly Korsbeck of Elvira, Ohio; a daughter, Kristie (Kelly) Rutledge of Big Sandy; his mother, Ellen Korsbeck of Malta; sisters, Sue (Dwight) Bomer of McAllister, Oklahoma, and Darlene (Jim) Brogan of Wilsall; and grandchildren, Brantly, Andrea and Lance Rutledge of Big Sandy.

RUDOLPH WILLIAM COOPER, SOA # 506-GA, SGM , US Army retired, passed away 25 April 2008 at the VA Hospice Center in Washington , DC . Rudy was assigned to CCS, MACV-SOG. His other Special Forces Assignments included the 5th (RVN & CONUS, 7th and 10th (CONUS) Special Forces Groups and two tours with 46th Special Forces Company. Rudy was one of the few Special Forces Soldiers to have received the Combat Infantry Badge 3rd Award for Combat Service in WW II, Korea and Vietnam . Also among his many wards and decorations are the Silver Star, 10 Bronze Stars and 3 Purple Hearts. He is survived by two daughters, three grandsons, a brother and four great-grandchildren

RONALD L. HOFFMAN, SOA # 1745-G, SFC, US Army retired, passed away 30 March 2008 at his home in Augusta , Georgia . His death was attributed to wounds he received in Vietnam in 1968. Ron served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the Vietnam War Ron served at FOB 2 as a 11 on a Spike Team. His many awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and Army commendation Medal. He was an active member in the American Legion, DAV and National Order of Trench Rats. He is survived by his wife Doris Davis; five children; James Lakeman and wife Allyson of Greensboro, North Carolina, Cathy Sors and her husband Tim of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Dan Hoffman and his wife Janice of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Wendy San Angelo and husband Michael of Tucson, Arizona, and Jennifer Lakeman of Augusta, Georgia; brother Gerald Brainard of Detroit, Michigan; sister Norma Jean Van Schoick of Venice, Florida; and eleven grand children.

JOSEPH C. SKOKOWSKI II, SOA # 1342-AA, MSG, US Army retired, passed away 15 March 2008 at the Aurora South Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Joe served as a parachute rigger with MACV-SOG at CCN and 1st Flight. Joe also served in 5th Special Forces Group. He later entered the National Guard and saw service in the Middle East. Among his awards and decorations are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Joint Services Commendation Medal. Survivors include his wife Elizabeth Cofield of England; two sons, Cameron and Scott Skokowski of Erie, Colorado; two brothers, Stephen T. Skokowski of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and James T. Savidge of Annapolis; and three sisters, Claire M. Snow of Nettleton, Mississippi, Stephanie M. Tassche of Derwood in Montgomery county, and Lisa Early of Potomac.

MANUAL C. BUSTAMANTE, SOA # 2382-GA, 1SG, US Army retired, passed away 10 March 2008 at home in El Paso, Texas. “Manny” was 68. He joined Special Forces in 1960 and served in Vietnam with 5th Special Forces Group: II Corps Mike Force, Project Delta and MACV-SOG as a member of OP-35 and OP-36. Manny also served with 1st Special Forces Group: Okinawa and Vietnam and 8th Special Forces Group in Panama . Among his many awards and decorations are: Distinguished Service Cross, 3 Bronze Stars for valor, 3 Purple Hearts, 2 Presidential Unit Citations and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was also a member at large of the Special Forces Association. He is survived by his sons, Michael Anthony Bustamante and Manuel Bustamante; daughter, Kimberly Michelle Bustamante. He is also survived by his mother, Manuela Campos Bustamante; brothers, Jose Angel Bustamante and Eddie Bustamante; sisters, Ana Marie Hightower and Lucia Bustamante.

GALE EDWARD NELSON, SOA # 2347-GA, MSG, US Army retired, passed away 24 February 2008 at the Carrol S. Robertson Hospice Center . Gale was a member of OP-36B during the Vietnam War, 1970 – 1971. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Bronze Stars for Valor, and three Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service. He is survived by his wife, Doris of the home; a stepdaughter, Sharon of Pennsylvania; a brother, Gene Nelson of Lady Luck, Florida.

ROBIN MOORE SOA # 1770-HL, Civilian, passed away 21 February 2008 at Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Robin, age 82, had been suffering from a long list of illnesses. Robin was a well know author of such best sellers as the: “The French Connection” and “The Green Berets”. He also collaborated with Barry Sadler in writing “The Ballad of the Green Berets”. In 2001, he traveled to Afghanistan and subsequently published another book titled, “The Hunt for Bin Laden”. Robin was also a member of the Special Forces Association. He is survived by his wife, Helen.

CHARLES F. HOAGLAND, JR., SOA # 1560-GX, SGM, US Army retired, passed away 4 February 2008 at the Hernando Pasco Hospice Center in Inverness, Florida of natural causes. Chuck served with the 4th MSF Bn, 5th Special Forces Group. Among his many awards and decorations are: Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army Commendation Medal w/V Device and Oak Leaf Cluster. Chuck was also a member of the Special Forces Association, VFW, American Legion, and DAV. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Hernando, Florida; a son, Charles F. Hoagland III of Melbourne, Florida; three daughters: Christa Pruitt of Navarre, Florida, Malisa Roach and her husband of Apopka, Florida and Debbie Wetherington and her husband Basil of Englewood, Florida; a brother Walter Hoagland and his wife Bunny of Eustis, Florida, thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

GARRY L. WRIGHT, SOA # 2383-GA, SFC, US Army retired, passed away 23 January 2008. Gary a proud Cherokee, was born May 10th 1939 at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gary died from complications from congestive heart failure and diabetes while hospitalized at the Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington. Gary served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam Conflict. He also served with 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal. He was also a member of the Special Forces Association. Gary is survived by his wife Setsuko; brothers: Don, Mervin and Danny; sisters: Janelle and Sue.

DAVID H. HARRINGTON, SOA # 2145-GA, SMSgt, US Air Force retired, passed away 20 January 2008. David H. Harrington was born on June 4, 1937, in Binghamton, New York. He is now free of pain and anxiety after battling cancer for over six years. Dave enlisted in the Air Force in July 1954. David was assigned to Detachment 6, Project 404, “Water Pump” in Laos. He also supported B-50 and B-52 as a FAC with 21st TASS. He also served with an Air Commando team monitoring Cuban Communications during the Cuban Crisis. David's decorations included two RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Air Force Commendation Medal. He also holds the 404th membership card from the Skunk Works for Aircraft U-2R 339. He was awarded a Green Beret in July 1992 for service in RVN with 5th Special Forces. While on TDY to Korea he went to Taiwan during the Quemoy-Matsu Crisis. He was presented with the Badge of Honor by the Taiwan government. David was on the Air Commando Association Board of Directors, a member of Special Forces Association, VFW, American Legion and the DAV. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; brother, Duane; two sons, Lance and Dale; daughter, Dawn Marie; and four grandchildren.

WILLIAM D. BOGGS, SOA # 667-GL, SGM, US Army, retired, passed away 28 December 2007 at his home in Townsend, Massachusetts. Billy retired with twenty-six years of service, twenty-two of which was with Special Forces Units. He was a member of White Star MTT in Laos, Blackjack 21, 5th Special Forces Group, and CCN, MACV-SOG. Billy was the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia; two sons, William and Steven; daughter Kathleen Hulse; brother Donald; sister Barbara Dalrymple; six grandchildren and three great grandsons.

JOHN T. STEPHENS, SOA # 2247-GX, CWO2, US Army, passed away 19 December 2007 at his home in San Antonio, Texas. John served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company “Wolf Pack” as a Gun Ship Pilot in Vietnam. John was severely wounded on his second tour and his death is attributed to those wounds. He is survived by his son Anthony.

MICHAEL E. KOESSICK, SOA # 508-GL, LTC, US Army, passed away 17 December 2007 in a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Mike served with the PRU in Vietnam. He also served with the 5th & 6th Special Forces Groups. Among his awards and decorations are: the Air Medal, Bronze Star for Valor, and two Purple Hearts. Mike is survived by his wife Carol and two children.

BURL MCDANIEL, SOA # 1192-GL, LTC, US Army, retired, passed away 15 December 2007 at his residence after a long illness. Lt. Col. McDaniel served his country in the United States Army during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War he served with CCS, MACV-SOG. He also served with Detachment “A” in Berlin, Germany. Survivors include his loving wife, Ingrid McDaniel of Melbourne Florida; two sons: Peter (Rachael) McDaniel of Apex, North Carolina and Todd McDaniel of High Point, North Carolina; two daughters: Georgina (Edgar) Whiteman of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Tracey (Thomas) Delbridge of Alexandria, Virginia; four grandchildren, Christopher and Grayson McDaniel and John and Matthew Whiteman; two brothers: Bill McDaniel of Mesa, Arizona and Woody McDaniel of Melbourne, Florida and a sister, GeeNee Piske of Glendale, Arizona.

DAVID L. ROSS, SOA # 354, MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 15 December 2007 at his home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. David served with MACV-SOG during the period 1968 – 1972. He also served with the 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups and JCRC. David is survived by his wife Kim Hoa Ross of the home; son, Robert Norman Ross and wife Teresa of Hope Mills, North Carolina; three sisters, Carolyn Clifton of Ripon, California, Nancy Sunday of Demorest, Georgia, and Beth Ann Dunn and husband Rick of Silvis, Illinois; and three grandchildren, Robert, Vivian and Samantha.

EDWARD J. COLLINS, SOA # 1976-GL, 1LT, US Army, passed away 2 December 2007. Edward served in the 8240 AU during the Korean War. Among his awards and decoration are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Korean Service Medal w/two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal. Edward was a member of the Special Forces Association, Combat Infantryman’s Association, VFW, American Legion and Korean War Veteran’s Association. He retired from GTE after thirty years of service. He is survived by his former wife Elinor Collins; daughter Kathleen Kermarrec; two grandsons, James Collins and Kane McGee of Billerica; two sisters Mary Winters and Irene Spellman of Falmouth, Massachusetts.

JOHN E. EDMUNDS, SOA #1197-GL, SGM, US Army, retired, passed away 2 December 2007 at Flagler Hospital. John was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but resided in St. Augustine, Florida for the last 17 years. He served in the US Marine Corps during WW II, but reenlisted in the US Army, and then volunteered for Special Forces in 1954. John would serve two tours on White Star/Hot Foot in 1959 and then again in 1962. He also served in Vietnam with B-36, 5th Special Forces Group. His other Special Forces assignments were with 77th, 10th, 7th and 3rd Special Forces Groups. Among his awards and decorations are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge-2nd Award, Master Parachute Badge, Glider Badge and the Army Commendation Medal. John is survived by his wife Betty Edmunds; sons Steve of St Augustine and David of Lumberton, North Carolina; and sister Jean Edmunds of St. Augustine.

WILBER “BACSI” DONALDSON, SOA # 1490-GA, SFC, US Army, retired, passed away 23 November 2007 at his home in Enterprise, Alabama following a brief illness Wilber was 73. Wilber was born 1934 in Coffee, Alabama. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and after spending 10 years in the Medical Field, he volunteered for Special Forces. Wilber was a member of RT Alaska on Operation “Shining Brass”, MACV-SOG. He also served with 1st Special Forces Group, Okinawa and Vietnam, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg and Vietnam, and 3rd Special Forces Group. Wilber was selected and attended the British Jungle Warfare School in Malaya. He retired in 1972 and embarked on a second career in Civil Service working at the Navy Hospital at Saufley Field. Among his many awards and decorations are the US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star for Valor and two for Meritorious Service, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Divers Badge, two Army Commendation Medals and Master Parachutists Badge. He is survived by his wife of seventeen years Mary Catherine (Cathie) Parker Donaldson of Enterprise, Alabama; sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and Sebert Bowman of Macon, Georgia; son, Michael Shelby Donaldson; step-son, Anthony Steven Kwence of Virginia and grandchildren Caitlin Beth and Connor.

JOHN V. STRYKER, SOA # 2033-GL, CW4, US Army, retired, passed away 21 November 2007 at his home. John was born on July 4 1935 in Clinton, New Jersey. John joined the 1st Air Commando Wing in 1962. He deployed to Vietnam in 1963. Upon his return to the United States, he attended Jump School and became a Combat Controller. He returned to Vietnam as a Combat Controller. He received an appointment to Warrant Officer in the United States Army. He volunteered for Special Forces and after his SF Qualification; he served with 5th and 7th Special Forces Groups. Upon his retirement after 30 years, he worked at the Directorate of Combat Developments, USAJFKSWCS, Fort Bragg and the Infil/Exfil Branch, USSCOM, Mac Dill AFB. Among his many awards and decorations are the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals, Master Parachutist Badge, Scuba Badge and Pathfinder Badge. A son and three grandchildren survive him.