"Barry Sadler and I were both members of the Special Forces - the 'Green Berets' - stationed at Fort Bragg. He was always singing and playing his guitar. Barry got the idea for the song in 1963, and we wrote it together. It was published in 1965 and released January 1, 1966, long before the Vietnam War had run its course. Of course, the Green Berets were the first American fighting forces in Vietnam. Within six months of its release, 7 million records had been sold and 48 single recordings of the song were made." — Robin Moore, Jr.

The Ballad Of The Green Berets

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Berets.

Silver wings upon their chests
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret.

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage deep from the Green Berets.

Back at home, a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request.

"Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's Best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret."