There is no more famous or poignant image in American history than John F. Kennedy,

Jr. on his third birthday, saluting his father, as JFK was about to be laid to rest 50 years ago today.

There was another salute to the slain president that day from men in uniform

who considered Kennedy their godfather. David Martin has their story.

All the armed services took part in the funeral procession, but none felt a greater loyalty to their fallen commander-in-chief than the army's green berets. Just two years before, the young president had endorsed the beret and the Special Forces who wore it.

That's why Special Forces people have such a strong admiration for President Kennedy.

Tom Gaffney was a sergeant in Army Special Forces when JFK visited Fort Bragg,

North Carolina in 1961. He took part in the demonstration the president had come to see,

everything from the far-fetched, down to the nitty-gritty. And my A-team was given the mission

of putting on a mock ambush for it.

Gaffney had already been on a secret mission in Laos, training local tribesmen to fight as

anti-communist guerrillas, unconventional warfare, which merited unconventional headgear.

We would love to have something to identify us as being different from the rest of the Army.

The Army disapproved of the Beret is too European-looking, not masculine enough.

But after Brigadier General William Yarborough told the President Special Forces wanted them,

JFK issued a statement that the Green Beret will be a mark of distinction in the trying times ahead.

By the time of his death, special forces had doubled in size.

When he recognized special forces, he recognized that we needed them, and the Army said, whoa, let's go.

Then, on November 22nd, 1963, this is a scene at Andrews Air Force Base. Gaffney was sent on a new

mission. And the colonel said, you, you, you, you, and you started picking people out.

Did you know what was in the works? And he said, Jacqueline Kennedy has requested special forces

people in the helmet guard.

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