Photo By Sgt. L'Erin Wynn | Col. (retired) Roger H.C. Donlon speaks with members of 7th Special Forces Group...... read more read more
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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - - Dec. 5, 1964, after returning from his deployment to Vietnam, a then-U.S. Army Capt. Roger H.C. Donlon became the first Soldier to receive the Medal of Honor while serving under the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
On Nov. 20, 2017, Col. (retired) Donlon was welcomed back to his former unit by the exact operational detachment of which he was a part.
“It was truly an honor and a privilege for us to host Donlon, the first Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War and former detachment commander of Alpha 726,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Bryant, former Operational Detachment Alpha Commander, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
“The discussions and team interactions with him were invaluable, especially because [we are] the direct lineage to Donlon’s old team.”
“Anytime you can come back and meet your original team is like a touchstone,” said Donlon. “It touches your soul, to be honest with you. I felt very privileged and honored.”
Donlon agreed that sitting with the gentlemen was like speaking to a past self and encouraged them to teach and remain teachable.
“You’re a student and a teacher for life,” said Donlon. “[As Special Forces,] you’re expected to be a teacher. You will be given golden opportunities to teach around the world in many settings and you will be given opportunities to be a student. You have to take it upon yourself to fulfill those capacities.”
“One of the biggest takeaways from this visit was our discussion on how critical it is to conduct area studies and historical research,” said Bryant. “Many of the complex issues that we continue to see in places like Afghanistan are very similar to the problem set that A-726 was faced with during their time at Nam Dong in 1964. It is vitally important to learn from past successes and mistakes in order to remain effective.”
“I found myself in both [student and teacher] roles today,” said Donlon. “Sharing the lessons of my life with the current generation and then as a student: I was privileged to be briefed on the current role, evolution and newest growth and development of the Special Forces community.”
Donlon said that he can attest to changes in Special Forces with respect to the technology and equipment nevertheless, the core of the service member has remained a constant.
“The volunteer spirit and commitment is still here,” said Donlon. “Teamwork and honesty are essential at the cornerstone. I encourage them to use that honesty to build trust and confidence amongst each other.
These are the principles by which he led his team and even through battle and injury, Donlon remains proud and said that he would change nothing about his journey.
I would certainly do it all over again,” said Donlon. “Having met the men that I met today, I would be more proud to do it today, than ever. It’s the quality, commitment and dedication I see and sense amongst them; from the senior commanders right down to the junior noncommissioned officers, total dedication and professionalism.”
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2017 12:30 |
| Story ID: | 260049 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 724 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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