I was whisked down to Fort Bragg, NC – home of the 82d Airborne and Special Forces to witness and participate in a rather distinctive event of The Regimental First Formation of the Special Forces.
Three noted members of the Special Forces were inducted as “Distinguished Members of the Special Forces Regiment” and awarded plaques. These include:
- Colonel Ola Lee Mize – Medal of Honor Recipient
- Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Aycock
- Command Sergeant Major Ronnie A. McCan
After the induction & awards, the soldiers who have been immersed in their Special Forces training reached the point where they were allowed to put on and wear their Green Berets for the first time. (The following day was graduation…)
I also reconnected with a General who I had met several years ago and I updated him on the progress I’ve made (he’s gone from 1 star to 3 stars … so I believe he’s making great progress!) When I showed him the array of offerings that I now have, he turned to his Aide-de-Camp. The next thing we were shaking hands and I found what’s below in my palm.
Thank you General for recognizing my work!
Later, I once again re-visited the JFK Warfare Museum and spent some time with the Director / Curator. It was a very informative several minutes which I wished would have never ended. She shared some rather interesting background on the development of uniforms and heraldry items that LTG Wm P. Yarborough orchestrated.
I later walked the halls where the General and those who have followed his footsteps have walked. It was a great feeling.
In the distance, I heard the echoing sounds of the GUNS… they were having live fire on one of the ranges on FT Bragg.
Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 12:08 am. Add a comment
I’ve just added three listings on EBAY to sell composites, greeting cards, & notecards of the collage of President John F. Kennedy meeting then BG William P. Yarborough on 12 OCT 1961.
Here’s where you can get the listings and purchase them.
BUY HERE
Posted 4 years, 8 months ago at 4:02 pm. Add a comment
The origins of the US Army Special Forces came from the First Special Service Force – A WW II combined United States – Canadian unit and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). It was the initial efforts of Major General Robert A. McClure that brought about special warfare within the US Army and the Special Forces in the early 1950s.
Those early SF troops surreptitiously wore the green beret as a way of distinguishing themselves from the rest of the Army.
In the early 1960s, then Brigadier General William P. Yarborough had the future vision of the role of the Special Forces in winning the war. Much as he tried to work with the chain of command to make it happen, he couldn’t get “THE BRASS” to move in that direction. His classmate from West Point, Major General Chester V. Clifton just so happened to be President Kennedy’s military aide. The two Generals orchestrated a visit on this day 12 OCT 1961 to Fort Bragg, NC – the home of the 82d Airborne Division. The real mission was to see the Special Forces in action. The entire XVIII Airborne Corps which at that time included also the 101st Airborne Division – the “Screaming Eagles” and US Army Special Forces greeted the President – they were in formation on Pope Field which is adjacent to Fort Bragg.
The men provided President Kennedy a demonstration of their tactics. And during the review, they all wore their GREEN BERETS. The President was much impressed by this display and when he asked BG Yarborough how the men liked their green berets, the General responded that they liked them very much. It was that day with words most remembered that President Kennedy acknowledged that the US Army Special Forces were Special and authorized the wearing of the green berets.
The composite below highlights the historic meeting (47 years ago today!) and includes the autographed copy of the collage that President Kennedy sent to LTG Yarborough.
A print of the above composite including the autographed collage that hung in LTG Yarborough’s office for over 30 years is available for purchase.
GHTime Code(s): nc nc nc Posted 4 years, 8 months ago at 9:58 am. Add a comment
It’s no secret, I’m in process of writing a book (a very challenging project, since no one has ever written about this topic before) and in doing so, I’ve been researching places to have it published. In the course of things (how cliche-ish!) I’ve captured several thousand photographs to complement the text that will be included in the book.
Until now, I have had few outlets for the fruits of my labors — (my notecards / greeting cards, photographs) they have been for sale at the Old Guard Museum gift shop [benefiting the Old Guard Ladies Association] However, someone decided as of October 1st to close the Old Guard Museum on Fort Myer. Word has it that it will re-open in November. The other location is at the gift shop of the JFK Warfare Museum located on Fort Bragg, NC.
Despite talks with locations in the DC area, the challenge of the economy has slowed progress. So in the meantime, I’ve located a place where high quality prints of my photos can be ordered either unframed or framed. Presently there are only photographs, but soon you’ll find calendars and more (‘nother cliche!) available for purchase. As my way of “giving back” a portion of the profits of sales of selected photos/calendars will be donated to The Old Guard Ladies Association
STOREFRONT LINK:
Please visit ——- and please let me know your reaction!
Posted 4 years, 8 months ago at 1:57 pm. Add a comment
