Where Did You Get That Hat?

General PX Kelly: Commandant,United States Marine Corps;served on an exchange secondment to the royal Marines.

General Kelly states,During Operation Pony Express,a joint US/UK exercise in Borneo during the spring of 1961,I was serving as the Commanding Officer,'C' Troop,42 Commando RM. The day before the actual helicopter landing, the commanding General of the U.S.Marine Corps Brigade visited 42 Commando aboard HMS Albion for an orientation tour.Upon his arrival,the Commanding Officer 42 Commando presented him with a Green Beret as a gesture of friendship.Passing down the line of Officers on the flight deck,he noted the U.S. Marine Corps Emblem on my beret and said: "I see we have another U.S.Marine wearing a Green Beret."Saluting smartly I responded: "Yes,Sir, but I earned mine the Hard Way."Not another word was spoken.