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In 1978, pioneer #Army Special Forces Col. James Dandridge II retired as a Special Operations Branch Chief in the The Joint Staff. This week, he shared his oral history with U.S. Special Operations Command's history and research team. 🎬 Dandridge was one of the first to wear the US Army Green Beret in 1961 as assistant adjutant of the then U.S. Army Special Warfare Center, under the command of Brig. Gen. William Yarborough, when President John F. Kennedy visited and authorized its wear. He spent most of his military assignments in Special Forces, Special Operations, Psychological Warfare/Operations and Joint Special Operations assignments. Dandridge continued serving our nation for decades in Foreign Service and the Foreign Affairs community post-military with diplomatic missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. 🇺🇸 #ARSOF #GreenBeret #History #ArmyStrong

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Robert McBrien

Fellow, Board of Directors, & Treasurer, American College of National Security Leaders (ACNSL); Board of Advisors at Center on Economic & Financial Power, Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

2mo

The public seldom hears the names of these pioneers, but they are peppered throughout U.S. armed forces and other departments and agencies, especially in the national security realm..

Shawn W.

Compassionate Leader | Teammate | Veteran

2mo

COL(R) James Dandridge II retired 5 years before the U.S. Army Special Forces cloth tab was approved for wear in June 1983, which is why you don't see it in the picture above in his fatigues. But he is a Green Beret and a pioneer through and through! The 2nd verse, lines 3-4 of the Ballad of the Green Berets: "One hundred men will test today | But only three win the Green Beret." COL Dandridge was a US Army Combat Arms commissioned officer who served from Aug 1953 - Dec 1978 (25 yrs 5 mos). He entered the Army 5 years after President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, which officially desegregated the U.S. military. But there was still a lot of work to do to fully integrate the U.S. military, and COL Dandridge helped do that as an aviation officer and then as a Green Beret, and always as a leader and a Combat Arms officer. De Oppresso Liber, sir!!! Ballad of the Green Berets Song by Barry Sadler and Robin Moore (First Verse) 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 (Second Verse) Silver wings upon their chest These are men, America's best One hundred men will test today But only three win the Green Beret

I cannot wait to read his history. I hope he USSOCOM history office will publish the interviews. The public needs to know his story.

John Ross

Principal at RossWrites

2mo

Jim, your service is such an inspiration for us all. We're honored to be your friends.

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I'm looking forward to hearing what he told the team.

Willie Quilles Brown

United States Navy Veteran/ United States Navy Reservist/ Soon to be United States Army Soldier

2mo

#RespectAndHonor

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CRAIG CHRISTIAN GANT

Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, Insider Threat SME

2mo

👊🏽👊🏽👍🏽⚔️🇺🇸

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Vincent Parker

Supv Air Traffic Control Specialist

2mo

Salute!🫡

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