Ballad of the Green Beret Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler and Robin Moore (#1 in 1966)

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret
 
Silver wings upon their chest
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 peak from the Green Berets
 
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret
 
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.