JFK with BG Yarborough at Fort Bragg, 1961. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

On April 11, 2025, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, President John F. Kennedy was posthumously inducted as a Distinguished Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces Regiment. The honor recognized his transformative role in shaping the identity, purpose, and the global strategic importance of the Special Forces.

The origins of this legacy trace back to October 12, 1961, when President Kennedy visited Fort Bragg and met with Brigadier General William P. Yarborough, then Commander of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center. There, on the banks of McKellar’s Pond, President Kennedy witnessed a Special Warfare demonstration and met with the soldiers whose distinct headgear, the Green Beret, had not yet received formal recognition. General Yarborough made a compelling case that day for the unique capabilities and essential contributions of these unconventional forces. The demonstration highlighted the Special Forces’ proficiency in guerrilla warfare, foreign internal defense, reconnaissance, and direct-action missions, skills that were considered indispensable in the emerging landscape of Cold War-era conflict. These capabilities, paired with their cultural awareness, language training, and ability to operate in austere environments, distinguished the Green Berets from conventional units and affirmed their value in addressing complex global threats.

President Kennedy, a strategic visionary and early advocate for counterinsurgency operations, immediately grasped the value of the Special Forces in confronting modern global threats, particularly the spread of communism. In April 1962, he formally endorsed the unit Special Forces soldiers in a letter to the Army, stating:

“The Green Beret is… a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom.”

This presidential endorsement marked a defining moment in the history of the Special Forces, offering both symbolic affirmation and institutional legitimacy that would elevate the Regiment for decades to come.

From Vietnam and the Cold War to Desert Storm, the post-9/11 Middle East, and the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, the U.S. Army Special Forces have remained at the forefront of global conflict. Though their mission has evolved, the foundational identity of the Regiment, rooted in adaptability, excellence, and quiet professionalism, remains closely tied to Kennedy’s vision.

The commemorative 2025 event in Pinehurst served as a solemn acknowledgment of this important connection. Hosted in coordination by the Green Beret Foundation, the evening drew distinguished guests, military leaders, and members of the Kennedy family. The atmosphere paid homage to President Kennedy’s elegance and legacy, with subtle nods to his White House years: daiquiris mixed with Jackie Kennedy’s secret ingredient, Frenulum; Carolina rocking chairs; and table settings reminiscent of his famed state dinners.

Historical artifacts were on prominent display, including President Kennedy’s guest book, a podium from his notable speeches, and the original Yarborough Knife, symbolic of the lasting relationship between the 35th President and Brigadier General Yarborough, often called the “Father of the Modern Green Beret.”

During the Green Beret Foundation’s dinner, LTG (Ret.) Ken Tovo, former USASOC Commander and current Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation, reflected on the timeless words of President Kennedy’s inaugural address:

“We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

With a smile, LTG (Ret.) Tovo added, “It was a fuller (and plain English) explanation of the Special Forces’ motto, De Oppresso Liber.”

The evening’s tribute to legacy continued with the presentation of the Foundation’s Force Multiplier award to Michael Yarborough, grandson of Brigadier General Yarborough. The award was presented jointly by LTG (Ret.) Tovo and Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono, who reflected:

“Presenting the Force Multiplier award to Michael Yarborough in honor of his grandfather’s extraordinary legacy was one of the most meaningful moments of the evening. To mark the occasion, each guest received the De Oppresso Liber edition bottle, created by Heritage Distilling Company as a tribute to both President Kennedy and General Yarborough. More than a commemorative gift, the bottle now helps carry forward their legacy, with proceeds directly supporting the Green Beret Foundation’s mission.”
— Charlie Iacono, President & CEO, Green Beret Foundation

The culminating moment of the evening was the formal induction of President John F. Kennedy as a Distinguished Member of the Regiment. Major General Jason Slider, Commanding General of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, opened the ceremony with a reflection on the profound impact of Kennedy’s leadership:

“It was together, that General Yarborough and President Kennedy planted trees that they never got to lie in the shade of. For more than six decades, those trees have grown and there are new saplings underfoot.”

Following MG Slider’s remarks, Jack Schlossberg, son of Caroline Kennedy and grandson of President Kennedy, delivered an address that honored his grandfather’s steadfast belief in the courage and necessity of Special Forces service:

“I can’t think of a better way to honor President Kennedy by teaching new generation to live by the values that he did and to hold them to the same high standard that history holds them to. The Special Warfare School is a living tribute to all that my grandfather stood for.”

The evening concluded with closing remarks from LTG Jon Braga, Commanding General of U.S. Army Special Operations Command:

“As past Green Berets were able to stand guard over President Kennedy and honor his leadership in his family’s time of need; today, we Green Berets codify his legacy as one strongly intertwined with our own.”

The ceremony was not only a moment of tribute, but a declaration that the values President Kennedy firmly supported, duty, liberty, and principled innovation, continue to define the ethos of the Special Forces Regiment. His induction stands as a testament to a shared history that has been carefully preserved, and a legacy that continues to guide.

Click here to view all the photos from this event.

Written by: Jenna Angues

Ways to Support the Foundation

Support the mission of the Green Beret Foundation by purchasing limited-edition items that give back. Commemorate your connection to this historic event with the official DMOR Challenge Coin, and raise a glass with the Special Operations Salute™ Whiskey – De Oppresso Liber Edition, crafted in partnership with Heritage Distilling Co. Proceeds from both benefit the Green Beret Foundation’s programs serving all generations of Green Berets and their families.