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US Army Special Forces Green Beret - Vietnam War -
Green Beret. During World War II, US Army Special Forces personnel wore a variety of headgear during their
operations as members of special operations units. Those who served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
in Europe often adopted whatever headgear their French or Belgian Resistance compatriots wore. This was often a
beret, since many of the OSS teams served in France. The beret, worn in a variety of styles and colors, showed
even up on OSS personnel in the Far East. Many of the first members of the US Army 10th Special Forces Group
(Airborne), formed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June 1952, were veterans of the OSS.
Berets of various types and colors began being worn unofficially as early as 1954 on the unit's field exercises
in Germany and at Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, North Carolina. The color green was favored because it was
reminiscent of the World War II British Commando-type beret that had been adopted by the Commandos on 24 October 1942. After testing in 1955, the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg specified, still unofficially, that its soldiers wear a beret of Canadian Army design in rifle green. Special Forces personnel in Europe in the 10th Special Forces Group (A) simultaneously adopted a green beret, even wearing it publicly with the Army class A uniform, despite the lack of official approval.
Special Forces troopers first wore the green beret publicly at Fort Bragg during a retirement parade in 1955.
In 1957, however, the Fort Bragg post commander banned the wearing of the beret. This ban was reversed on 25
September 1961 by DA Message 578636, which authorized the green beret as the official Army headgear to be worn by Special Forces. The first official wearing of the newly authorized green beret was at a Special Forces
demonstration staged for President John F. Kennedy at Fort Bragg on 12 October 1961. President Kennedy was
instrumental in the approval by DA of the green beret for US Special Forces. Currently, all Special
Forces-qualified soldiers wear the green beret with the authorized flash of their Special Forces Group.
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This page is a recognition and identification guide for special forces militaria
Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point
out clearly defined areas that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my item worth?".
A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the items is
reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth
of the American special forces militaria in the collector's market is illustrated.
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This Vietnam War US military collectible may be currently
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other vietnam war Special Forces collectibles, you can do so by
going to our
Vietnam War Special Forces Collectibles Price Guide.
Where we cover items from the Army, Navy, Army Air Force and other organizations.
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