Magnificent military appreciation award presented to Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough by the Green Berets of the United States Army Special Forces. The award, which is topped impressively with a large metallic beret with a mirror finish, the front bearing an affixed shield patch with a three-star Lieutenant General pin, stands to a height of 13″ and is supported atop a wooden presentation base, 7.25″ x 7.25″ x 3.5″, with an engraved plate to the front: “LTG William P. Yarborough, 30 July 1971, with our gratitude and deep respect, The Green Berets.” In fine condition, with some tarnishing to award and plate, and some wear and scuffs to the base.
In January 1961, Yarborough was appointed commander/commandant of the US Army Special Warfare Center/School for Special Warfare at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his tenure, he arranged for President Kennedy to visit Fort Bragg, with the results proving twofold: he acquired funding to further develop the Special Forces into a strategic unit within the US Army, and he was granted authorization of the Green Beret for wear as the official headgear of Special Forces.
