Barry Sadler

Barry Sadler
Barry Sadler in 1966
Born(1940-11-01)November 1, 1940
Carlsbad, New Mexico, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 1989(1989-11-05) (aged 49)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Air Force (1958–1962)
 United States Army (1962–1967)
Years of service1958–1967
Rank Staff Sergeant
A1C
Unit U.S. Army Special Forces
   7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Battles / warsVietnam War

Barry Allen Sadler (November 1, 1940 – November 5, 1989) was an American soldier, singer-songwriter and author. Sadler served as a Green Beret medic, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in the Vietnam War from late December 1964 to late May 1965. Most of his work has a military theme, and he is best known for his patriotic "Ballad of the Green Berets," a #1 hit in 1966. He died at age 49 after being shot in the head in Guatemala City.