Guess who owns Yarborough Knife, “0726"

[Team Sergeant]

http://news.soc.mil/releases/06DEC/061204-2.html

RELEASE NUMBER: 061204-02
DATE POSTED: December 4, 2006

Medal of Honor recipient addresses Special Forces

By Staff Sgt. Cain S. Claxton
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Dec. 4, 2006) – A Medal of Honor recipient and honorary commander of the Special Forces Regiment challenged Green Berets and their spouses Friday evening to stay the course in the global war on terror.

Retired Col. Roger H.C. Donlon, MOH, made his remarks to members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and their family members gathered at the group’s annual Winter Formal held at a local conference center.

“You are finding yourselves at outposts around the world,” Donlon said to the assembly. “The courage you have been showing will need to be continued.”
This “courage,” Donlon said, was needed from Green Berets and their spouses alike.

“You are warriors at home – a combat multiplier,” Donlon told the spouses. “It’s your responsibility to keep those home fires burning, and you’re doing it.”

In 2006, members of the 7th Special Forces Group deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and many other countries in central and South America.

"(The year) 2006 has been a very busy and challenging year for the group and still is," said Col. Edward M. Reeder, Jr., 7th SFG (A) commander, addressing the dinner guests. "(Year) 2007 will be no different. The group is well prepared to endure these challenges."

Reeder presented Donlon with a Yarborough Knife, marked "0726,"” to commemorate his service as team leader of Operational Detachment Alpha 726, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam. There, Donlon’s actions earned him the Medal of Honor, presented on Dec. 5, 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Donlon was the first Soldier to receive the award in the Vietnam War.
Donlon said he was elated to get "the knife."


Donlon’s notable assignments included team commander, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam; commandant, Advanced Combat Training Academy in Korea; district senior adviser in Vietnam; adviser to the Royal Thai Army in Bangkok; commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (A) in Panama; director of international officers at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; and commander, United Nations Command Rear Headquarters, Tokyo.

Since retiring in 1988, Donlon has remained an active public servant, chairing committees, sponsoring scholarships, among other civic duties.



Retired Col. Roger H.C. Donlon, Medal of Honor recepient, spoke at the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) annual Winter Formal on Dec. 1, 2006.

[Bill Harsey]

Team Sergeant,
Thanks for posting this.

Col. Donlon,
Thank you for what you have done and continue to do for this nation.
It is an honor for Chris Reeve Knives and I that our work is in your hands.
May that knife serve you well if needed.

[BrianH]

I was privileged enough to have been at his address, and he did seem extremely excited to receive his Yarborough.

Great address.

[CRad]

Elated doesn't really capture his reaction. He gave a serious Hoo-ah! and the look on his face was priceless. Our table was right in front of the podium. The man is totally awesome.

A few years back we had Ola Mize and this year Col Roger Donlon. That's reason enough to get dressed up if you ask me.

[SOFwarrior02]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

http://news.soc.mil/releases/06DEC/061204-2.html

RELEASE NUMBER: 061204-02
DATE POSTED: December 4, 2006

Medal of Honor recipient addresses Special Forces

By Staff Sgt. Cain S. Claxton
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Dec. 4, 2006) – A Medal of Honor recipient and honorary commander of the Special Forces Regiment challenged Green Berets and their spouses Friday evening to stay the course in the global war on terror.

Retired Col. Roger H.C. Donlon, MOH, made his remarks to members of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and their family members gathered at the group’s annual Winter Formal held at a local conference center.

“You are finding yourselves at outposts around the world,” Donlon said to the assembly. “The courage you have been showing will need to be continued.”
This “courage,” Donlon said, was needed from Green Berets and their spouses alike.

“You are warriors at home – a combat multiplier,” Donlon told the spouses. “It’s your responsibility to keep those home fires burning, and you’re doing it.”

In 2006, members of the 7th Special Forces Group deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and many other countries in central and South America.

"(The year) 2006 has been a very busy and challenging year for the group and still is," said Col. Edward M. Reeder, Jr., 7th SFG (A) commander, addressing the dinner guests. "(Year) 2007 will be no different. The group is well prepared to endure these challenges."

Reeder presented Donlon with a Yarborough Knife, marked "0726,"” to commemorate his service as team leader of Operational Detachment Alpha 726, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam. There, Donlon’s actions earned him the Medal of Honor, presented on Dec. 5, 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Donlon was the first Soldier to receive the award in the Vietnam War.
Donlon said he was elated to get "the knife."


Donlon’s notable assignments included team commander, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam; commandant, Advanced Combat Training Academy in Korea; district senior adviser in Vietnam; adviser to the Royal Thai Army in Bangkok; commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG (A) in Panama; director of international officers at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.; and commander, United Nations Command Rear Headquarters, Tokyo.

Since retiring in 1988, Donlon has remained an active public servant, chairing committees, sponsoring scholarships, among other civic duties.



Retired Col. Roger H.C. Donlon, Medal of Honor recepient, spoke at the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) annual Winter Formal on Dec. 1, 2006.

I was honored to meet this man recently at the Medal of Honor Recipient Gala Dinner on October 18, 2008. He presented me with a MOH coin and I was impressed to hear that his son is currently engaged in the Q-course. Along with thirty-five other recipients, I was overwhelmed at the number of living recipients there were. I will post more info on the next year's event. God Bless Colonel Donlon and his family.