Blue Monkey
Archon Without Portfolio
In the US Army maroon berets were worn beginning in 1942 by airborne (paratroop) units. The 82nd Airborne Division wore dark red berets claimed to be an honor bestowed by the French for their courageous actions in WWII. The Special Forces became the "Green Berets". Rangers wear tan ones, to honor the deerskin suits worn by their Colonial Era predecessors. These days any old grunt gets to wear a black beret.