Fort Bragg, NC - An historic meeting occurred that changed the US military – specifically the US Army forever. For it was on this day, 12 OCT 1961 a visit was arranged that forged a lasting effect that continues until this day - Presidential validation of the Special Forces – “The Green Berets”
To understand the history though, one must look back nearly 200 years before, one state south and consider “The Swamp Fox”…
or a Medal of Honor recipient …
Many of the colonial troops wore a rosette in their tricorn hats.
Instead of the rosette, a small piece of colored material to provide “A flash of color…” was the General’s answer…
Shown below are the 1st, 5th and 7th Group flashes worn on their green berets…
On the 12 DEC 19 US Army Special Forces soldiers were awarded Silver Stars by LTG John F. Mulholland, Jr. which was the largest number of Silver Stars awarded since the Vietnam War…
After reviewing and recanting the individual situations, said Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland, commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, who presented the awards to the Soldiers. “Where do we get such men? There is no finer fighting man on the face of the earth than the American Soldier. And there is no finer American Soldier than our Green Berets.”
The Silver Star Medal is awarded in recognition of a valorous act performed during combat operations while under direct fire from enemy forces. It may also denote an accomplishment of a heroic nature in direct support of operations against an enemy force.
On a warm Spring Saturday, those assembled in the Episcopal Church, quietly assembled in the courtyard as final military honors for Robin (Robert Lowell) Moore was smartly executed by the 5th Group of the US Army’s Special Forces. The Honorable Rudi Gresham declared earlier that Robin and LTG William P. Yarborough were once again together – for all time, as their berets were honorably placed on the flag draped casket by Robin’s widow, Helen Moore and General Yarborough’s son, William Lee Yarborough.
The two men formed a lifelong friendship that affected both them and the world around them. Working together, the US Army Special Forces became the “SPECIAL” Forces of the US Military and achieved the recognition that they well deserve.
Rest in Peace…
Those words were among the final ones offered by the late LTG William P. Yarborough, USA Ret., before he passed away in December 2005… They were repeated again this 1st Day of March 2008 when Robin L. Moore, Jr. was remembered and honored by family, friends and most of all his US Army Special Forces “family”.
As the procession made its way to the Episcopal Church in Hopkinsville, KY near Fort Campbell, KY where the 5th Group of the Special Forces is headquartered, vehicles stopped and waited for those heading to the church to proceed to where Robin was honored for his life and outstanding contributions to the US Army Special Forces.
In the 1960’s he wanted to write a book about these men… and then BG Yarborough succinctly put it — you want to write about my men, become one of my men. Robin countered with “But Sir, I’m 37 years old…” Over the next year, Robin went through Airborne training and then the Special Forces “Q” Course and was sent over to Vietnam with the 5th Group of the Special Forces…
He wrote the book “THE GREEN BERETS”, which in 1965 became a best seller selling over a million copies. His additional contribution came when he added his “word-smithing” talents to hone “The Ballad of the Green Berets” as sung by SGT Barry Sadler. The song went onto becoming a #1 Hit on the charts in two weeks!
Just an FYI, the response from the mailing has been “minimal” but encouraging — perhaps they’re also accounting for the beginning of the growing red dots on the map — (see the earlier post about Clustr Maps)
It was early, and I needed more ink for the mailing I was doing, so off to Staples I went.
While waiting there for them to retrieve the ink cartidge for me, I spotted a man all adorned with his military insignia, so I engaged him only to find out that he was both a Korean and Vietnam veteran AND Special Forces, 5th Group to be exact … I know many who have served in that group and are headquartered at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
After I learned some of his service, I shared with him the way I’m “giving back” with the photography at Arlington National Cemetery and the final honors.
He reached into his pocket and then offered his hand for me to shake it… in his palm was his own personal challenge coin…
“Thank you sir… Thank you for your service.” I said to him.
It’s been a busy week, very busy! As the holiday season kicks into high gear, I’ve polished off the graphic design hat and taken off the photography one for now. The outcome has been a flurry of results that highlight the richness and splendor of heraldry of the US Army – 3d Infantry Regiment “THE OLD GUARD”, Special Forces, Airborne, and more, the OSS Society.
I’ve included a new slideshow highlighting the dozens of cards that are now available. There are flyers that are available to get your cards before Thanksgiving… Personalized even with your name on the front…
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