U.S. Army officials have released the identity of a man said to have rented a Tesla truck that exploded in Las Vegas near the Trump International Hotel on Wednesday.
According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill, the truck used in the explosion was rented in Colorado before arriving in Las Vegas. The explosion happened only hours after another truck-related New Year’s Day attack, which happened in New Orleans and has claimed 15 lives as of Thursday.
Matthew Livelsberger, who has been identified as the sole occupant of the truck, was an active-duty Green Beret who served in the Army for 19 years. According to the Army, he had been a soldier with numerous combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Livelsberger was a highly decorated combat soldier who was awarded the Bronze Star with valor among several commendations.
What is a Green Beret? Here is what you need to know.
What is a Green Beret?
Green Beret is the colloquial name used for members of the U.S. Army Special Forces. Green Berets conduct commando-style raids to attack enemy targets as well as reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines and in some cases training of foreign militaries.
The name comes from the distinctive head gear used, which are of course, green berets. According to the Army Times, the group was formed in 1952 as part of the Army’s Psychological Warfare Division.
The decision to use green berets comes from wanting to distinguish themselves from conventional Army forces. According to the Army Times, headwear used by soldiers in France inspired the berets used today, with the color being influenced by British Commandos during World War II.
Are Green Berets prestigious?
According to the Army, Green Berets are some of the most prestigious members of the armed forces.
“Special Forces Soldiers are among the elite of the military and conduct missions with a focus on surveillance and developing defense capabilities,” the Army said on its website.
In order to be part of the Green Berets, candidates must take on “Special Forces Training,” over a period of more than a year. According to the Army, candidates must be also eligible for a secret security clearance as well as other requirements.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a Green Beret? What to know after man dies in Vegas explosion