Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Green Beret Birthplace

Photographed By Becky Leach, October 15, 2021

1. Green Beret Birthplace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

West Virginia Army National Guard Special Forces (Green Berets) were initially headquartered in Beckley in 1959. Detachments were home stationed here 1959-1963 and 1976-1979.

Erected 2021 by Raleigh County Historical Society, Special Forces Association Chapter 68.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location. 37° 46.752′ N, 81° 9.781′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker can be reached from Armory Drive, 0.1 miles south of South Eisenhower Drive (U.S. 19), on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted on wall beside ticket windows at Arena entrance to Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Armory Dr, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. State Police Radio Station And Barracks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beckley Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pinecrest Sanitarium (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clarence W. Meadows (approx.

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¾ mile away); Civil War Site (approx. ¾ mile away); Alfred Beckley / Wildwood (approx. ¾ mile away); The Mysterious Ferguson Rock (approx. ¾ mile away); Ferguson Rock (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

WVARNG SF Major Robert V. Luther III, vice-president of SFA Chapter 68, delivers remarks. image. Click for full size.

October 15, 2021

2. WVARNG SF Major Robert V. Luther III, vice-president of SFA Chapter 68, delivers remarks.

RCHS Marker Program Officer Merle T. Cole (l) and Major Luther standing by the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Davis, October 15, 2021

3. RCHS Marker Program Officer Merle T. Cole (l) and Major Luther standing by the marker.

Convention center manager Andrea Akers and Green Beret Birthplace Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Becky Leach, October 15, 2021

4. Convention center manager Andrea Akers and Green Beret Birthplace Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 269 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.