[May 7, 2021] In 1968, my good friend Wilson asked me to see the movie “The Green Berets.” Starring John Wayne, the film was the first any boy in my neighborhood ever heard of the Green Berets; we were interested. Later that week, we saw the movie.
That was Hollywood. Reality is better. U.S. President Kennedy wanted an improved military force developed that would undertake unconventional warfare. Such an elite force would operate independently, possess the highest moral and military values, and contain the best of the best.
“The challenge of this old but new form of operations is a real one, and I know that you and the members of your command will carry on for us and the free world in a manner which is both worthy and inspiring. I am sure that the green beret will be a mark of distinction in the trying times ahead.” – U.S. President John F. Kennedy, 1961
William P. Yarborough (photo thumbnail for this article) is known as the “father of the Green Berets.” Special operations, however, started with direct presidential support during WWII, when U.S. President Roosevelt picked “Wild Bill” Donavan to head the Office of Strategic Services (the OSS). The OSS evolved into the Green Berets.
The nation needs highly trained, mature soldiers with good judgment and the skill for wars of the unconventional kind. Yarborough was the man for the job. By taking command of the early special forces, he told his soldiers there was no room for irresponsibility.
“Look, SF is really important. We don’t want people who just fight. We also want you to be ethical.” – Lieutenant General Yarborough
Special Forces was a sort of religion to Gen. Yarborough. He thought in spiritual terms. Liberating the oppressed was his mission.
Their operators are known simply as Green Berets, and they are one of the most elite fighting organizations in the world. Their primary role is unconventional warfare – in the real world, they can take small teams to train and lead friendly guerrilla forces.
The motto of the Special Forces is De Oppresso Liber. This is a Latin phrase translated to mean, “To Liberate the Oppressed.”
Watching this movie was one of the motivating factors for me to join the U.S. Army. A few weeks ago, I saw the movie for probably the tenth time. While it does not have modern video graphics, it still hits home in the heart.
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Note: For a stirring rendition of the song, The Green Beret, go to the SOF Magazine website here: https://www.sofmag.com/sof-and-barry-sadler-the-ballad-of-the-green-berets/
I remember the movie with John Wayne about The Green Berets. Not that great technically but a good one to watch on a rainy day.
Since that first deployment, the Green Berets have carried out thousands of missions, most in secrecy. Which means that the success of the Green Berets can hardly be measured; after all, how can you quantify something that doesn’t happen, like a thwarted war?
Good point, Jonnie!!!!
…. and the reason I’m a patriot and supporter of our military.
Whether riding donkeys through the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, assembling guerrilla armies in Vietnam, or training paramilitary police to fight drug cartels in Columbia, the Green Berets have come to represent the most adaptable and specialized organization available in the United States’ military arsenal.
I suggest reading the Army’s Special Forces page here: https://www.goarmy.com/special- forces/sf-history.html
Another excellent website that has a lot of good info for you reading.
https://www.americanspecialops.com/special-forces/
The missions of the Green Berets, who are known officially as the United States Army Special Forces, are sometimes confused by the public with those of the Navy SEALS or the Army Rangers, but the Special Forces are a group in a league of their own.
And …. That’s how the green beret became the symbol for excellence, integrity, and focus on killing the enemies of the USA.
On October 12, 1961 the president visited Fort Bragg and the US Army Special Warfare Center, home of Army Special Forces. In the course of their meeting, the President asked Brigadier General William P. Yarborough, “Those are nice. How do you like the Green Beret?” General Yarborough replied, “They’re fine, Sir. We’ve wanted them a long time.”
The Green Beret was originally designated in 1953 by Special Forces Major Herbert Brucker, a
veteran of the OSS. Later that year, 1st Lt. Roger Pezelle adopted it as the unofficial headgear for
his A-team, Operational Detachment FA32. They wore it whenever they went to the field for
prolonged exercises. Soon it spread throughout all of Special Forces, although the Army refused
initially to authorize its official use.
The “green beret” itself was only instituted after the intervention of Pres JFK.
Right. “A symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for
freedom.” -President Kennedy on the Green Berets, April 11, 1962.
Good website, Gen. Satterfield, very educational. Thanks.
I suggest this website that exposes fakes who claim to be Green Berets. Why do they do this? Anyway, here is the site: http://guardiansofthegreenberet.com/
Plenty of Medal of Honor winners here. These are special men. Hard men.
The site also exposes many fakes. To answer the question why would someone fake being a Green Beret, the answer is simple …. For the prestige and adulation given freely by the American peoples. We recognize the value of their service and place honor upon them.
Hi all, just my opinion, but I’m happy the Green Berets are part of our team. I would hate to be an enemy of the United States knowing that there are men out there with the will, the skill, and the resources to come and kill me. Pow, great article.
Sure did like your article this morning, and sent it to my son who is training now in the US army as a paratrooper. Keep these types of articles coming our way.
Mission, liberate the oppressed. Is there a higher moral calling? If so, I’m unaware of it. If I were a young man, I would join the Green Berets today!!!!
Great movie, great team, great article. Gen. Satterfield, I remember the movie well. I’ve seen it too many times.