US Army General. An Airborne Ranger and veteran of two wars, he is remembered for introducing the black beret to the Army. The child of a distinguished military family, he was raised in the itinerant lifestyle of an 'Army brat' and was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack. Spragins attended West Point during World War II, graduated in 1945, served with the occupation forces in Japan, and in 1950 was assigned as commander of the 10th Ranger Infantry Company at Ft. Benning, Georgia; desiring to create a mark of distinction for his men, he designed a black beret which he and his Soldiers wore, albeit against some opposition as it was not officially authorized. Over the next years he advanced steadily, holding assignments both stateside and overseas, with multiple postings to the Pentagon. In Viet Nam, then-Colonel Spragins served as assistant director of Special Forces and again allowed his troops to wear the black beret, again in the face of some criticism, though by that time acceptance was increasing. The black beret finally became official in 1975 and in 1977 Spragins retired as a Major General. Settling in Beaufort, South Carolina, he worked as a financial advisor, was active in his church, and was for more than 30 years a member of the Beaufort Rotary Club. The General died of the effects of advanced age; his awards include the Bronze Star.
US Army General. An Airborne Ranger and veteran of two wars, he is remembered for introducing the black beret to the Army. The child of a distinguished military family, he was raised in the itinerant lifestyle of an 'Army brat' and was at Pearl Harbor at the time of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack. Spragins attended West Point during World War II, graduated in 1945, served with the occupation forces in Japan, and in 1950 was assigned as commander of the 10th Ranger Infantry Company at Ft. Benning, Georgia; desiring to create a mark of distinction for his men, he designed a black beret which he and his Soldiers wore, albeit against some opposition as it was not officially authorized. Over the next years he advanced steadily, holding assignments both stateside and overseas, with multiple postings to the Pentagon. In Viet Nam, then-Colonel Spragins served as assistant director of Special Forces and again allowed his troops to wear the black beret, again in the face of some criticism, though by that time acceptance was increasing. The black beret finally became official in 1975 and in 1977 Spragins retired as a Major General. Settling in Beaufort, South Carolina, he worked as a financial advisor, was active in his church, and was for more than 30 years a member of the Beaufort Rotary Club. The General died of the effects of advanced age; his awards include the Bronze Star.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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