USAF Grey Beret Association

05/30/2026

30 May 2019

MSgt John A. Chapman was commemorated during a Medal of Honor dedication at Pope Army Airfield on this date.

Learn more about MSgt John A. Chapman here:

https://www.combatcontrolfoundation.org/combat-control-history/msgt-john-a-chapman-medal-of-honor-recipient

Purchase the NY Times Best Seller 'Alone at Dawn' - Medal of Honor Recipient John Chapman and the Untold Story of the World's Deadliest Special Operations Force here:

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/.../alon.../9781538729656/

This work, Chapman Dedication, by Alexander Goad.
Video ID: 684563
VIRIN: 190530-F-GG507-004
Filename: DOD_106825451

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/684563/chapman-dedication

CREDIT ORIGINAL POST:

Combat Control Foundation

By his heroic actions and extraordinary valor, sacrificing his life for the lives of his teammates, John Chapman upheld the highest traditions of military service and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force and was the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor for action...

05/27/2026

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Subdued.

Low profile.

Built for everyday wear.

New distressed dad hats have arrived at the Grey Beret Store.

Featuring understated Air Force Weather, Combat Weather and SOWT inspired designs with a worn-in tactical aesthetic built for everyday wear.

Available now at:

greyberet.store

05/25/2026

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OTD

25 May 1944

The Germans assaulted Tito's HQ in Drvar, Yugoslavia with SS-Fallschirmjager Battalion 500

Tito's staff and the entire Allied Mission - Including the OSS California Met Team of USAAF Weather Officer Capt Cecil Drew, Weather Observer S/Sgt Joe Conaty and Radio Operator S/Sgt James Ferguson had to E&E for 17 days before they were picked up by rescue aircraft

For more info, check out our website:

www.greyberet.org

For info on the overall Yugo mission, select the following:

GREYBERETS -> WWII HISTORY -> The Yugoslavia Caper

For info on Joe Conaty and the California Met Team's mission:

GBA MEMBERS -> GBA HALL OF FAME -> S/Sgt Joseph J. Conaty, Jr

For more info on Operation Rösselsprung, check out the links in the comments below!

Questions?

Drop 'em in the comments!

RESPECT
GBA

* * * * *

Watch for more posts on our Badass Veterans, and our unique legacy, and

REMEMBER:

GREY BERET LEGACY IS

Grey Beret History
Air Force Weather History
AFSPECWAR History
AFSOC History
US Air Force History
US Airborne History, and
US Special Operations History

"Two Specialties - One Legacy"
"Serving Proudly Since WWII"

05/25/2026

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Grey Berets Lost on Active Duty
Colonel Keith Grimes
Lt Col William "Bill" Schroeder
Lt Col John Conley
Lt Col Jimmy Lydon
TSgt Tim Blair
Gone But Not Forgotten
RESPECT
GBA

05/22/2026

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Congrats!

RESPECT
GBA

05/19/2026

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Today we celebrate the birth of Col Keith R. Grimes!

Though we lost you too soon, your actions and efforts have paved the path for many a Grey Beret!

You are missed!
************
RESPECT
GBA

05/14/2026

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On 14 May 1944, a group of WWII Office of Strategic Services (OSS) officers and enlisted men jumped from the "Joe Hole" of a British Halifax bomber into Slovenia - Then part of German-occupied Yugoslavia.

One of those men was US Army Air Forces Weather Officer and OSS Secret Intelligence Branch member

1Lt Robert J. Schraeder

The jump and further operations in Slovenia are all detailed in the excellent book:

"Beacons in the Night: With the OSS and Tito's Partisans in Wartime Yugoslavia"

Written by Franklin Graham, a WW2 US Officer in the OSS Special Operations Branch.

Schraeder brought weather equipment with him in his goal to join S/Sgts Ralph C. Baker & Joseph W. Newmeyer, and radio operator/partisan Marian - All of whom had been on the ground and operating since March.

They were located at the Slovene Partisans HQ, at or near Baza 20 in Crmosnjice. This base served as a major headquarters for the Partisans during the war, providing various facilities for their operations.

May is a big month for our unique history - Keep watching for more!

RESPECT
GBA

Main Source/Credit:

Beacons in the Night: With the OSS and Tito's Partisans in Wartime Yugoslavia

By Franklin Lindsay

Additional Sources:

Guerrilla Observer

By Sgt. T. A. Graham

Weather Service Bulletin

Vol. 3 No. 6

June 1945

Army Air Forces Headquarters Weather Wing

Ashville, N. C.

Story of 1st Lt. Robert J. Schraeder, SSgts

Ralph C. Baker & Joseph W. Newmyer, and radio operator/partisan Marian.

- - -

Traces of War Website - Partisan Headquarters 'Baza 20'

https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/10211/Partisan-Headquarters-Baza-20.htm

05/13/2026

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OTD
Important Date in Grey Beret History
On this date - 13 May 1944
WWII US Army Air Forces Weather Observer S/Sgt Charlie Staub graduated from the 101st Airborne's "Parachute Jumping School" in Chilton Foliat, England
He went on to jump into Normandy with the 502nd PIR, 101st Airborne Division on
06 June 1944
You can read his first person account of that operation (written in 1947) on our website
LINK IN BIO
Go to:
--> Menu
--> Grey Berets
--> WWII History
He also served with distinction during the Korean War and retired from the US Air Force in 1966
RESPECT
GBA
* * * * *
Watch for more posts on our Badass Veterans, and our unique legacy, and
REMEMBER:
GREY BERET LEGACY IS
Grey Beret History
Air Force Weather History
AFSPECWAR History
AFSOC History
US Air Force History
US Airborne History, and
US Special Operations History
"Two Specialties - One Legacy"
"Serving Proudly Since WWII"

05/07/2026

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Before there were Grey Berets… there were men operating in some of the most demanding conditions of World War II.

We're honoring their legacy

13 May to 06 June 2026

Stand by.