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Fox News chief nationwide safety correspondent Jennifer Griffin discusses the army altering the Confederate names of U.S. Army bases after the army’s Naming Commission suggestions on ‘Special Report.’
The song “The Ballad of the Green Berets,” sung by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, hit No. 1 on the U.S. music charts on this day in historical past, March 5, 1966.
Unlike many songs that will emerge from the Vietnam War period, “The Ballad of the Green Berets” painted the American army in a comparatively constructive mild.
The song’s title refers to the colloquial title of the United States Army Special Forces, who put on inexperienced berets as half of their uniform.
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The song’s opening verse refers to the Green Berets as “fearless men who jump and die,” and as “men who mean just what they say.”
The song’s refrain calls the group “America’s best,” and notes that “100 men will test today, but only three win the Green Beret.”
The Green Berets are members of the United States Army Special Forces. (iStock)
The song continues, “Trained to live off nature’s land, trained in combat hand-to-hand, men who fight by night and day, courage peak from the Green Berets.”
The third verse departs starkly from the upbeat tone of the first two, stating, “Back at home a young wife waits, her Green Beret has met his fate.”
The song goes on, “He has died for those oppressed, leaving her his last request.”
His final request, of course, is for his son to grow to be a Green Beret himself.
“Make him one of America’s best. He’ll be a man they’ll test one day, have him win the Green Beret,” says the song.
Green Beret Col. Paris David, pictured right here in the center (with Ted Kennedy on the left), was awarded the Medal of Honor on Friday, March 3, 2023. (U.S. Army)
Sadler himself was a Green Beret, becoming a member of the U.S. Army in 1962 after a profitable stint in the U.S. Air Force, notes Britannica.
Sadler volunteered for the Special Forces and served as a medic.
He completed his coaching in December 1963, mentioned the encyclopedia.
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Less than two years after he completed his coaching, Sadler was injured by a punji stick — a booby-trapped stake — in Vietnam, forcing him to return dwelling to the United States, says History.com.
“Within two weeks of its major-label release, ‘The Ballad of the Green Berets’ had sold more than one million copies, going on to become Billboard magazine’s #1 single for all of 1966.”
During his hospitalization and restoration from his damage, Sadler wrote an “epic ballad” about the Green Berets and submitted it to music publishers, says Britannica.
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Robin Moore, writer of the nonfiction e book, “The Green Berets,” assisted Sadler in trimming down the ballad considerably, notes the web site.
“The Ballad of the Green Beret” praises the bravery and valor of the Green Berets and features a tragic flip with a nod to the subsequent era. (iStock)
Moore is credited as a co-writer of “The Ballad of the Green Berets.”
Initially, the song was distributed solely amongst the army, says History.com, however was later picked up by recording firm RCA Records.
“Within two weeks of its major-label release, ‘The Ballad of the Green Berets’ had sold more than a million copies, going on to become Billboard magazine’s No. 1 single for all of 1966,” the website additionally mentioned.
“The Ballad of the Green Berets” was Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 single for 1966, mentioned History.com. (itock)
Sadler left the army in 1967, however was unable to duplicate his musical success.
Instead, he grew to become an writer, writing 29 pulp fiction books, mentioned Britannica.
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In the Nineteen Eighties, Sadler would transfer to Guatemala City. It was there that his life would take a tragic flip.
In 1988, Sadler was shot whereas sitting in a automobile. The accidents from the gunshot would render Sadler quadriplegic and brain-damaged, mentioned Britannica.
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Sadler died on Nov. 5, 1989, at the Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
He was simply 49 years previous, mentioned an Associated Press article about his loss of life.
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