Senior United States Army officer (1912-2005) who designed the U.S. Army's parachutist badge, paratrooper or 'jump' boots, and the airborne jump uniform. He is known as the ‘Father of the Modern Green Berets.’ From the personal collection of Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough—the first official Yarborough U.S. Special Forces Combat Knife, serial no. 0001, the original serial-numbered combat knife issued to the Green Berets, presented by Yarborough, the knife’s namesake, to his son, William “Lee” Yarborough, in 2003. Beginning in August 2002, every soldier who graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course, part of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, was issued the Yarborough Knife with its own serial number and signed a special record book along with the most elite members of the United States Army—this particular knife, identified with serial number as “0001,” represents the very first of the Yarborough Green Beret knives; unlike other examples, this ‘premiere’ knife is sans the maker (Chris Reeve Knives) and designer (Bill Harsey) stamps typically found on the ricasso flat. The knife measures 12.5″ in length with a 7″ spear point blade (elite CPM S35VN steel with a KG Gun-Kote finish) and a gripped canvas Micarta handle.
Included with the knife is a handwritten letter from Yarborough signed “Dad,” presenting the knife to his son, LTC (Ret.) William “Lee” Yarborough, U.S. Army, on November 10, 2003, in full: “Your Dad is proud to present you with a ‘Yarborough Knife’ in recognition of the fact that you are in every way a ‘Green Beret.’” Also present is a promotional color 10.75 x 16.5 poster for Yarborough’s ‘Green Beret Knife,’ signed in the lower border in green felt tip, “Hope you enjoy the ‘Yarborough’ knife, William P. Yarborough, Lt. Gen. USA (Ret).” In overall fine condition. Accompanied by a wooden presentation case with a glass top.
