A Soldier's Story: Sergeant Adelbert "Bert" Francis Waldron

Sergeant Adelbert "Bert" Francis Waldron, A Soldier's Story

Sergeant Aldelbert Waldron

Born March 14, 1933 - Died October 18, 1995

Sergeant Adelbert Francis “Bert” Waldron was born on March 14, 1933, in Syracuse, New York. He spent his childhood in the nearby town of Baldwinsville, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors. Bert became an expert marksman at an early age, often hunting in the woods surrounding his hometown. Known for his keen eye and patience, he could imitate the calls of many animals, a skill that reflected both his understanding of nature and his natural precision.

Sergeant Waldron began his military career in 1953 when he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving aboard ships that deployed to Korea and later Vietnam. After completing his Navy service, he returned to civilian life for a time before reenlisting in 1968, this time with the United States Army—and once again deploying to Vietnam during the height of the war.

It was there, with the 9th Infantry Division, that Sergeant Waldron’s marksmanship earned him legendary status. As a sniper, he was credited with 109 confirmed kills, a record that stood for nearly four decades, until it was surpassed in 2011. Among his most remarkable feats was a confirmed kill from 900 yards away, fired from a moving boat along the Mekong River, a shot that showcased his extraordinary skill and composure under pressure.

Following his combat service, Sergeant Waldron briefly served as an instructor at the US Army Sniper School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he helped train the next generation of Army snipers. His firsthand experience and calm professionalism made him a respected mentor among soldiers.

After leaving active duty, Waldron continued to apply his expertise in civilian life. He worked as a counter-sniper expert and firearms instructor at Mitchel WerBell’s private training facility in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he trained law enforcement and military personnel in precision shooting.

Despite his incredible accomplishments, Sergeant Adelbert Waldron was a private and humble man. Unlike many renowned soldiers, he never sought fame; he neither published a memoir nor gave interviews about his experiences. Instead, he quietly lived out his later years away from the spotlight.

Sergeant Waldron passed away in California on October 18, 1995, at the age of 62. He rests with honor at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

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