The patriotic song was uniquely successful in an era of protest songs and anti-Vietnam War sentiment, focusing not on battle but the humanity of the soldiers. Barry Sadler began writing the song while he was training to be a Special Forces medic. Author Robin Moore, who wrote the book The Green Berets, helped him write the lyrics and later sign a recording contract with RCA Victor. Released on December 18, 1965, "The Ballad Of The Green Berets" shipped two millions copies in its first few weeks at retail in the United States, making it the then-fastet selling single in RCA's history and of course it catapulted easily at number one there. Billboard has recognized the song as the top song of the year 1966. Outside the USA the track reached no.4 in Germany and no.7 in New Zealand.