Thus goes the opening verse to “ The Ballad of the Green Berets,” sung by the late U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, a song which spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1966 ...

Then there came Billy Waugh's favorite song, one that he played every day while at home. Throughout the auditorium, men quietly mouthed the words to "The Ballad of the Green Berets." ...

"The Ballad Of The Green Beret's" entered the country music charts Feb. 19, 1966 – made it to No. 2, where it stayed for two weeks and was on the charts for 14 weeks.

Outside, the sunny weather steadily had darkened during the day, through the final roll call, the 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps” and the “Ballad of the Green Berets,” the benediction.

Graduates sing the Ballad of the Green Beret during the Special Forces Regimental First Formation Graduation at the Crown Theater on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

WALSH: Though over 100 women have made it through Army Ranger School and a handful have become part of the storied Green Berets, sexism is still rampant in special operations.

Thus goes the opening verse to “ The Ballad of the Green Berets,” sung by the late U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, a song which spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1966 ...