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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 Airborn Division. The real mission was to see the Special Forces in action.
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.
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!
I read recently a bit about the passing of the 2d Sgt Major of the US Army, George W. Dunaway.
The posting included the following words:
“You ask; What is our policy? I will say; “It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.” You ask; What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.” -Winston Churchill
I recently was asked by one of my friends to restore a photo of a championship football team from 1962 of the Fort Benning Doughboys. They were undefeated in their season and are planning a reunion later in 2008. It was a rewarding challenge to take a 40 year-old photo and bring it back to life in a current version.
The photo turned out so well, that I suggested to this fine athelete and retired US Army Special Forces officer that I could then turn it into a notecard. What you see below is my latest creation from that effort.
I also did some research about Fort Benning, located in Georgia, and found that the installation is located on what was originally farmland that previously contained many Native American settlements and has been a launching pad for many outstanding names in the annals of history — “Fort Benning’s long history has produced an impressive alumni list. Eisenhower coached its football team. Marshall rewrote the curriculum. Patton pushed men to prepare for battle. Bradley organized its Officer’s Training School, a source for men of rank in World War II. Powell and Schwarzkopf were honor graduates, as were Eaton and Freakley and other heroes from the sands of Iraq.”
Key to the success of the infantry of the US Army, soldiers learn how to jump from airplanes, the US Army Rangers are now there, and the powerful mobility of helicopters was discovered at “Benning”
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.
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