SSgt Barry Sadler - "The Ballad of the Green Berets" (1966)

"The Ballad Of The Green Berets" is a patriotic song in the ballad style about the Green Berets, an elite special force in the U.S. Army. It is one of the very few songs of the 1960s to cast the military in a positive light and yet it became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Charts for five weeks in 1966. It was also a multi-market smash, reaching #1 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart, and #2 on Billboard's Country survey.

The song was written by Robin Moore and Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, while the latter was recuperating from a leg wound suffered as a medic in the Vietnam War. Moore also wrote a non-fiction book, The Green Berets, about the force.

"Back at home a young wife waits Her Green Beret has met his fate He has died for those oppressed Leaving her this last request

"Put silver wings on my son's chest Make him one of America's best He'll be a man they'll test one day Have him win the Green Beret"

The above passages from the song were written in honor of the first native born Hawaiian to have died in Viet Nam who was also a Green Beret. This soldier's name was James Gabriel Jr., Green Beret, who was executed while on a training mission by the Viet Cong on April 8th, 1962.

The recording of the song was the number one hit in the U.S. five weeks in 1966 and was the number twenty-one song of 1960s, despite the later unpopularity of the Vietnam War. Refer to United States Army Special Forces in popular culture

It has sold over nine million singles and albums. It was the top single of a year in which the British Invasion, led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, dominated the U.S. charts.

It is currently used as one of the four primary marching tunes of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.

The recording of the song was the number one hit in the U.S. five weeks in 1966 and was the number twenty-one song of 1960s, despite the later unpopularity of the Vietnam War. Refer to United States Army Special Forces in popular culture

It has sold over nine million singles and albums. It was the top single of a year in which the British Invasion, led by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, dominated the U.S. charts.

It is currently used as one of the four primary marching tunes of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.

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[entacoman]

I am an english man and i was born in 1941, I ow my 70 years of freedom to men like the Green Berets. I say God bless Amarica. We must never forget what these men did.. I mean all americans. The 8th airforce as well.. God bless you all.

[jimEdee1]

Having known some, and watch a few buried, during Vietnam...there is great pride in wearing that Beret. All SpecOp groups, LRRP, Rangers, SF, SEALS, and Airborne...these are the elite, and sadly they are the ones who sometimes die, fighting for what the believe in...and for each other. For all those who gave all they had to give...they never will be forgotten.

Vietnam Vet (Army)

[tony19713]

love you fellas god bless

[rosemarie443]

@momtblanc go to Vietnam War and ask 18tangles or any of the other men on that blog, they were all there. you could ask civilwardoc but he has been posting there for a spell. take care

[momtblanc]

Does anybody know the full name of the highly decorated soldier in this video with the last name of "Cover" or "Conor"? I would like to look him up on the wall. God's peace be with each of you my fallen hero's.

[pghjan1]

Than you all for fighting for the freedom we all enjoy. 

[shaddie65]

i love this video,i had an uncle who fought in normandy . he wore that beret and even tho he came home badly wounded he died very young. i love you uncle george for giving me the freedom of an american. thank you to all our soldiers for giving your all to keep us free. May God bless each of you.

[TheBacmaster]

@candr God Bless our troops. As a former veteran of the armed forces, I salute all the men and women that served our country. We will never forget POW/MIA's.

[candr]

@hotmn4u Still does, besides it doen't matter if other don't respect it, its if you as a Beret respect your choice, reason and actions for wearing it. Most of the men I met and served with in Vietnam who wore this were not in it for the glory or the respect of those at home, they wore it because they they knew the job was needed and important. I raise a glass to those of my time that did their job yet were not able to make it home and their loved ones.

[spideraxis]

@cabritorsss I agree, I am gay but do not force my lifestyle on others, stop people from celebrating Mother's Day, or live a promiscuous lifestyle and then expect Americans to pay my medical bills to treat me for AIDS. If one is going to expect tolerance, follow it.

[cabritorsss]

@gaymarine79 If you are homosexual by choice you're a queer. If you were born that way, you're a freak of nature. Either way, I'll pray for all of you but please quit throwing yourselves in our faces.