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Sean Mulholland Obituary

HUNTERSVILLE - General Sean Patrick Mulholland, 58, of Huntersville, North Carolina passed away on August 8, 2018. He grew up in Lake Valhalla, Montville, New Jersey. He was the beloved son of the late Dr. Robert and Mary Mulholland. Devoted father of Colton and Mack Mulholland and step-father to Camilla Cardenas and Sarah Cardenas. He was married to Karina Mulholland. Sean was the beloved brother of Kevin Mulholland, Sheila and Frank Kettles, Patricia Poland and Moira and James Durivage. Sean's beloved brother Bob Mulholland passed away in 2017. Sean was extraordinary. He graduated from The Catholic University of America with a B.S. in Biology. He was then commissioned as an Infantry officer. His illustrious career spans 30 years and 20 assignments began in 10th Mountain and then 3rd Ranger Battalion. Sean became Special Forces qualified and was Detachment Commander of 7th Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then served in Latin America working on covert and counter terrorism operations with the famous "Lancero' Special Forces of Colombia. Sean returned to 7th Special Forces Group as Company Commander based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He then went to Bosnia where he was CJSOTF Commander for USSOCOM Command. Upon his return he was promoted to Battalion Commander of 2nd Battalion Advanced Skills Commanding officer at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School. Sean earned his first Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his graduation, Sean was assigned to Ft. Belvoir as Squadron Commander of a Special Operations team for USSOCOM. Sean then earned a fellowship in McClean, Virginia with the CIA. Sean was then stationed back in Bogota, Colombia as the SOCFWD Commander for Southern Command. He became Commander of 7th Special Forces Group and deployed as the commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. He then served as Executive Officer to the Commander of USSOCOM at MacDill AFB in Florida. Sean attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa and earned his second Masters Degree. He was promoted to Brigadier General and was Deputy Commanding General of Regional Command North based in Mazar e Sharif Afghanistan. He returned to USSOCOM Command as the Deputy J3 Operations Commander until he took Command of SOCSOUTH based in Homestead, Florida. His final command was SOCSOUTH -the SOF organization for Latin America that oversaw Special Operations teams to South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. Sean has earned many medals and awards for his bravery and service to his country. He was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia. Sean retired from the US Army in 2015 as a Brigadier General and continued to serve his country as a Strategic Advisor for many agencies around the globe. He was very active in non-profit organizations like Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Chief Operating Officer of Southern CC Inc. Sean was a consummate leader who exemplified the Oath of Special Forces and Special Operations as the elite silent professional. A warrior whose character, courage, integrity, loyalty and honor was unshakable and indomitable. Sean served his country with the utmost of character, courage, integrity and honor. He loved his family who made great sacrifices at home. There are no words to truly express how we grieve the loss of Sean. He was our hero, our standard, our compass. We must focus on the fact that he was ours albeit for too short a time on this earth. While he was here he gave us his best every day and for that we are eternally grateful to God. Abraham Lincoln said "and in the end it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years". These words sum up the life Sean has lived. God will say "well done good and faithful servant" for being a warrior for good against evil. Sean is home again in his beloved Valhalla. A Christian Mass will be celebrated at the Special Forces Chapel, Fort Bragg, North Carolina on September 8 at 10:00a.m. Visitation will be on September 7th at Sullivan's Highland Funeral Home, 610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina from 5-8 p.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Honors at a later date. In Lieu of flowers the Mulholland Family asks that donations be sent to one of these two charities that Sean was dedicated to: www.southernccinc.org, www.specialops.org. Online condolences may be made at sullivanshighland.com. Services are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fayetteville Observer on Sep. 2, 2018.

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4 Entries

Kit Duncan

April 1, 2025

Sean was good man. It was an honor to know him. RIP My Friend.

September 6, 2018

A true friend, Mentor and an outstanding leader. I will miss him and look forward to serving with Sean again in the afterlife. LTC Retired Bob Coleman (Mighty Mouse) US Army Speciial Forces.

September 5, 2018

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends. May the God of all comfort be with you all and grant your hearts peace in your time of need. (Romans 15:13)

August 22, 2018

General Mulholland always asked us to contribute to his understanding of whatever military activity he was involved in with us. He gained great respect from his subordinates by sharing his view of the situation with them and asking them for their take on it. His energy was contagious and brought the best effort out of people. He was a very inclusive leader - encouraging people to bring their best talents to the endeavor at hand.

With Great Respect,
Stu Goldsmith (USA COL retired)

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Memorial Events
for Sean Mulholland

Sep

7

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory Inc

610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Sep

8

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

Special Forces Chapel

Ft. Bragg, NC 28301

Funeral services provided by:

Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory Inc

610 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301

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