Barry Sadler

Barry Allen Sadler was an American author, musician, and former Green Beret, born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, on November 1, 1940. He was the second of four children born to John Sadler and Bebe Littlefield. Sadler is best known for his hit single "Ballad of the Green Berets," which brought him significant public attention. However, his life and career extended beyond this musical success.

Before his rise to fame, Sadler served in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret medic and Staff Sergeant during the Vietnam War. His military background provided the foundation for his writing career, as he later created the Casca series, which follows the character Casca Rufio Longinius, a Roman centurion cursed to remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ due to his role in piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear.

In addition to his military service and writing, Sadler had a successful career in music. His album "Ballads of the Green Berets," released in 1966, included the hit single of the same name. This song became a major hit, peaking at number one on the Billboard charts and earning Sadler widespread recognition. Following his musical success, he decided to pursue a career in writing, focusing on the Casca series.

In the mid-1980s, Sadler moved to Guatemala City, where his life took a dramatic turn. In 1988, he was shot in the head during an altercation in a taxi. The incident left him in a coma for seven months, and he ultimately passed away more than a year later. Sadler's life was marked by his military service, musical accomplishments, and his prolific writing, particularly the Casca series, which would be revived by other authors after his death.