Song was originally a 12-verse epic ballad before it was trimmed to a radio-friendly length
9 army bases facing name changes this year
Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin discusses the military altering the Confederate names of U.S. Army bases after the military's Naming Commission recommendations 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 history, March 5, 1966.
Unlike many songs that would emerge from the Vietnam War era, "The Ballad of the Green Berets" painted the American military in a relatively positive light.
The song's title refers to the colloquial name of the United States Army Special Forces, who wear green berets as part of their uniform.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 4, 1952, RONALD REAGAN MARRIES NANCY DAVIS IN CHURCH CEREMONY
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 chorus 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 last request, of course, is for his son to become 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 here in the middle (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, joining the U.S. Army in 1962 after a successful stint in the U.S. Air Force, notes Britannica.
Sadler volunteered for the Special Forces and served as a medic.
He finished his training in December 1963, said the encyclopedia.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 3, 1966, 'I LOVE LUCY' STAR, VAUDEVILLE PERFORMER WILLIAM FRAWLEY DIES
Less than two years after he finished his training, Sadler was injured by a punji stick — a booby-trapped stake — in Vietnam, forcing him to return home 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 recovery from his injury, Sadler wrote an "epic ballad" about the Green Berets and submitted it to music publishers, says Britannica.
PRESIDENT BIDEN TO AWARD MEDAL OF HONOR TO VIETNAM HERO AFTER NEARLY 60-YEAR WAIT
Robin Moore, author of the nonfiction book, "The Green Berets," assisted Sadler in trimming down the ballad significantly, notes the website.
"The Ballad of the Green Beret" praises the bravery and valor of the Green Berets and includes a tragic turn with a nod to the next generation. (iStock)
Moore is credited as a co-writer of "The Ballad of the Green Berets."
Initially, the song was distributed only among the military, says History.com, but was later picked up by recording company 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 site also said.
"The Ballad of the Green Berets" was Billboard Magazine's No. 1 single for 1966, said History.com. (itock)
Sadler left the military in 1967, but was unable to replicate his musical success.
Instead, he became an author, writing 29 pulp fiction books, said Britannica.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
In the 1980s, Sadler would move to Guatemala City. It was there that his life would take a tragic turn.
In 1988, Sadler was shot while sitting in a car. The injuries from the gunshot would render Sadler quadriplegic and brain-damaged, said Britannica.
Sadler died on Nov. 5, 1989, at the Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
He was just 49 years old, said an Associated Press article about his death.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Christine Rousselle is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.
