Salute an American Hero-Green Beret

Give an Old Warrior and True American Hero the recognition he deserves. William "Bill" Maples is a decorated Special Forces "Green Beret" Officer , (Former NCO),who has served all over the world, including 3 tours with 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam.



(ALL FUNDS WILL GO TO THE RESTORATION OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, MEDIA HISTORY DOCUMENT and A LIFE SIZE BUST; for possible display in Texas, U.S Army and National Museums)

Updates to this site with be ongoing with new pictures to show you how you have helped preserve history and honor a hero. We will also give notice when the artifacts are ready to be viewed in museums. 


Awarded over 20 Medals for Bravery and Heroism, To include: 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars w/Valor Device, 3 Purple Hearts, The Vietnamese National Police Medal of Honor, 4  RVN Gallantry Crosses, RVN Wound Medal, Army Comendation Medal/V and 4 Air Medals)

These awards were placed on display as a gift for Maples, during the Vietnam War. A few years after this photo was taken, these awards were lost in a fire. Only a few of the medals were found in the rubble. 

Maples is an legend in the Special Operations Community.

He is a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather who would do anything to help those in need. Anyone who has ever met "The Colonel" knows how big this man's heart is and how far he would go to help those who are in need. 


COL Maples with General Mabry and his old boss COL Skip Saddler (MACV-SOG)

***UPDATE***Today, Maples' life is being documented by multiple historical organizations in order to preserve his stories and artifacts. We are asking for help to fund the restoration of these artifacts, so they may be displayed at variuos U.S Army and National Museums for all to see.

Photographs, News Articles, Personal Letters, and more will be displayed. Also, funds will be placed towards the creation of a life-size bust of Maples, wearing the coveted Green Beret.  With your support this honor can finally be bestowed upon COL Bill Maples as a final Thank You to him and those like him. Damn Few Left!


Rappelling out of Army Huey 


Please see a few of the artifacts that have already been collected and photos donated by friends and family. More to come.
CPT Bill Maples being awarded the Silver Star by Chief of the Army, GEN Harold Johnson (Provided by Green Beret Magazine)

Award citation for one of the Silver Stars

MAJ Bill Maples escorts the remains of his brother SP4 Francis Maples, after SP4 Maples was killed in action in Vietnam. SP4 Maples was a paratrooper with 173rd ABN (Awarded 2 Bronze Stars for Valor)   (Provided by Valley Morning Star Newspaper)
Hand to Hand Combat.  Don't mess with the Green Berets




With GEN Westmooreland inspecting fighting positions on Phu Quoc Island. Awarded Legion of Merit and Second Silver Star a few months after this photo taken. Maples and his Operational Detachment Alpha-427 were in constant contact with enemy forces. 


MAJ Bill Maples on the island of Phu Quoc, South Vietnam, searching for VC and NVA soldiers
The Woods of Fort Bragg. Maples is in the center


SFC William Maples, right before attending Office Canidate School. He joined as a Private and worked his way up. 


3 of the original High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jumpers. All Green Berets (Maples on the Left)


Son William "Skip" Maples wearing his Dad's Green Beret (w/7th SFG Flash). Skip later served in the Army with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regt.


MAJ William Maples (DA Photo) Juest recived his 2nd Silver Star










Maples and his sons jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at 12,000ft.  You can take the Soldier out of the Army but mindset remains. He is still an active Skydiver


Skydiving in Texas with sons 


AIRBORNE!!!! 10,000ft AGL (Beeville TX) -2005



Maples with two of his sons and daughter-in-law, who are all serving in the Army. Maples' three sons have all served in combat with the U.S Army, following in their father's footsteps.


Saying farewell to friends after serving as the Port Isabel Yacht Club Commadore.


COL Willaim Darden Maples has passed away.

Colonel William Darden Maples

24 July 1935- 14 August 2016

“De Oppresso Liber”

 

Colonel William Darden Maples, United States Army Special Forces, left this world on the 14th of August 2016. Raised in La Feria, Texas, COL Maples was known for his “bigger than life” presence and unwavering commitment to his family, friends, and country. He dedicated his life early on to fighting for those oppressed and defending the country he loved. A highly decorated war hero, he was a valiant but humble man who rarely spoke of his incredible military accomplishments. 

 COL Maples grew up riding horses along the banks of the Rio Grande. His Tom Sawyer like life was filled with adventure and fun. He learned to speak Spanish fluently while working alongside his father’s employees at the La Feria Water District. In high school, the young COL Maples learned to be a team leader as the starting halfback for the La Feria Lions football team. His baritone voice caught the attention of the music teachers who taught him to sing and play the saxophone. His amazing rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was heard by thousands of residents of the Rio Grande Valley.

COL Maples enlisted in the U.S Army at the age of 17, where he excelled as a Paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division earning the coveted Master Parachutist Badge in less than 2 years. Upon attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class, Maples attended the Army’s Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. Already excelling as an Infantryman, COL Maples volunteered for the U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets” and began conducting operations around the world. As one of the youngest Operational Alpha Detachment Commanders (A-Team), COL Maples was handpicked to participate in the first High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) freefall teams, which involved parachute jumps from 30,000ft. Later, COL Maples was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam on three separate tours of duty, where he served in the Mekong Delta and on the island of Phu Quoc. During his service in Vietnam, COL Maples was recognized for Gallantry in Action and was awarded over 20 medals for Bravery. Some of his highest awards were 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars, 3 Purple Hearts, 4 Gallantry Crosses, and the Republic of Vietnam (NP)Medal of Honor. Some of Maples’ experiences were documented in the widely published book, “The Two Shores of Hell,” by French author Michelle Ray. After Vietnam, COL Maples was assigned to lead the Jungle Operations Training School in Panama. There Maples taught military students advanced survival/evasion techniques, helicopter rappelling, and hand-to-hand combat. COL Maples continued his military career serving in Germany, Panama, and the United States, before retiring in 1974.  

 After retiring from military service, COL Maples was named Vice President of the Harlingen National Bank in 1974. During this time, COL Maples led several charitable and civic organizations in the Harlingen area including serving as the Chairman of the American Heart Association of Harlingen from 1974-75. He was also Co-Chairman of the 1978 Harlingen United Fund drive and was President of the Rio Grande Valley chapter of the Air Force Association in 1977. As an avid hunter and fisherman, COL Maples was the co-owner of the Alta Vista Hunting and Fishing Lodge near Lake Guerrero, Mexico during the 1980’s.  He served as a City Commissioner of San Benito from 1988-1990 and was a member of the St. Anthony School Board in Harlingen for several years. 

 More recently, COL Maples took up sailing. He often sailed in the Gulf of Mexico and was passionate about this new hobby. He was later named the Commodore of the Port Isabel Yacht Club and enjoyed his time on the water. In every home COL Maples owned he would create unique and beautiful additions through his mastery of carpentry. 

 Most of all, COL Maples loved spending time with his family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Dorothy “Fina” Maples and his younger brother, Francis “Pancho” Maples, who was killed in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Link Maples; brother, Robert Maples; daughters, Sherri Wilson, Theresa Linney, Geraldine Haynes; sons, Skip Maples, MAJ Austin Maples, MAJ Cameron Maples; and his 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. 

He will be remembered for his valiant accomplishments as a warrior, but he will be forever missed as the loving patriarch of his family. We will miss COL Maples dearly, but we know “he will never walk alone.” We will be with him again one day in God’s glory.  As General Douglas MacArthur once famously said, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”








A special Thank You to the Fort Leavenworth alterations shop for helping with the restoration of Dad's Vietnam War Jacket which can be seen in the color photograph of him at top of this website.  They were very helpful and excited about the project.  Anyone in the area please send them a Thank You!