Barry Sadler

Barry Sadler (1940-1989) was an American author of military fiction novels. He created the Casca series, which would later be revived by other authors. Prior to becoming a novelist, Sadler served in the U.S. Army as a Green Beret medic and Staff Sergeant during the Vietnam War. He is well known for his album Ballads of the Green Berets (including hit single titled “Ballad of the Green Berets”). In 1978, Sadler shot country music singer/songwriter Lee Emerson Bellamy in the head, killing him over a woman (Darlene Sharp) and after Bellamy had made numerous harassing phone calls and threats towards Sadler. Sadler was convincted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 4-5 years in prison, but ended up only serving 21 days.