​Special Forces Association Chapter 51
The Sully De Fontaine Memorial Chapter
Las Vegas, NV
Sean T. Kelley
February 6, 1963-February 27 2023 (60)
Sean T. Kelley (UPDATED)
February 27, 2023 (Age 60)
Alexandria, Virginia
Special Forces
SFA Chapter 51
Sean Kelley passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 27, 2023. Sean was born on February 6, 1963, in Richmond, VA, and devoted his life to our Nation. Sean served in the U.S. Army and was a Special Forces soldier for over 20 years retiring as a combat veteran. Sean was a born warrior and leader who constantly looked after those around him. After the terrible attack on our Nation in 2001, Sean once again answered the call and became a Federal Air Marshal in 2002. For over 20 years, Sean protected our Nation by living by the motto of Never Again and Not on my Watch. Sean achieved the position of regional Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge. Behind his serious exterior, Sean was a loyal friend who always had a smile, a laugh, an ear, or a helping hand with no questions asked. Sean loved our Nation and the vital missions he performed throughout his careers. He will be missed by many and his memory cherished by a misfit group of loyal friends whose lives he made better simply by just being himself. Sean is survived by his sister Babeth and his wife Pat.
According to the funeral home, the following services have been scheduled: Visitation, on March 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., ending at 6:00 p.m., at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA.
Published by Legacy on Mar. 4, 2023.
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Michael B. Stern
April 29, 1937-September 3, 2023
MichaelB Stern
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Michael Bruce Stern Memorial
My name is Robert and I served two years in Vietnam as a Special Forces soldier. I am here to remind us that Mike Stern was an unsung American hero who served his country during a time of a brutal war.
Every Special Forces soldier is at a minimum a triple volunteer. Most have volunteered for the Army; for Airborne School (we parachute out of military aircraft) and to be in a Special Forces regiment. Mike volunteered for more. He was a combat medic with three Vietnam tours and a surviving member of the Special Forces Special Operations Group.
In Vietnam, Special Forces soldiers had two primary missions. We were part of a country wide security force and we were combat operatives. We were technically Advisors to the Vietnamese military that provided security to the local population. Most Special Forces soldiers served in “A” Camps which were primitive outposts along the Laos and Cambodian borders staffed with Civil Irregular Defense Group personnel (CIDG) composed of minority populations such as the Montagnard’s. The “A” team task was leadership on border security.
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In the “A” camps, Mike’s medical assignment was to keep everyone in the camp and their indigenous families healthy and able to function. These “A” camps were in the BOONIES and Mike as a Special Forces Medic was the only immediate source of modern medicine. It was common to have addressed Mike as Bac Si or “doctor” in the field. Mike served in 6 “A” camps and cared for a lot of people.
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While in Vietnam, Mike joined a very elite unit of Special Forces called Special Operation Group or what we call SOG. During the War, small teams of Americans and local soldiers were inserted into the border wilderness to collect intelligence on enemy activities or other combat missions. It was a high-risk assignment. Many members of SOG were injured or killed in combat. All SOG members were all highly motivated volunteers.
After three years in Vietnam, Mike served 5 tours in Thailand and then went back to school to become a Physician’s Assistant. He was later promoted to Warrant Officer which is a specialist military rank for the very skilled. Mike progressed to the rank of Warrant Officer 2 before he retired from the Army.
After Mike’s time in Vietnam and Thailand, he finished his military career with 2 tours in South Korea and two years with the 82nd Airborne, the Army’s crisis response regiment.
Some of Mike’s medals include a Combat Infantry Man’s Badge that is awarded to soldiers in battle; a Purple Heart that is awarded to wounded combat soldiers; two Bronze Stars; two Army Commendation medals; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm and the Thai Red Cross Medal.
In closing… If you are a relative, friend or descendent of Michael Bruce Stern, be proud to have known this true American hero.
Robert Walter Clark (SSG/E6 Retired), D-8457L, born on 4 April 1943 in Rochester, New York passed on 10 October 2023.
Bob was proceeded in passing by his wife Lorraine (Ne Moquino) Clark originally from San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico.
Bob's military service began with his enlistment into the US Air Force where he served from May 1960 through May 1963. He then enlisted in the US Army in May 1963. While serving as a Teletype Operator with 5th SFG(A) in Viet Nam, Bob was severely wounded in Laos and spent several months recovering from his wounds. He was medically retired in February 1968.
For his service in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart and CIB along with other commendations from his service in the Air Force and the Army.
In his later years, Bob was an active member of Chapter 51 of the Special Forces Association and fondly remembered by his Chapter friends.
Bob was buried alongside his beloved Lorraine at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery located in Boulder City, Nevada.
Robert Walter Clark
April 4, 1943-October 10, 2023
