We first mentioned the Casca series in 2013 and we like to bring the Casca books up every once in awhile because they were such a big part of growing up in the early 80s. Plus, every time we bring it up, a few new readers discover the series for themselves. The bug has even bitten me a second time. I recently began experiencing the series a second time through Audible.

Titular character of the Casca series of books was was the legendary Roman Legionary Casca Rufio Longinus who drove the lance into the side of Christ to relieve his suffering while he was crucified on the cross on Golgotha. His action resulted in Jesus transforming him into an immortal mercenary who must fight from conflict to conflict, until the second coming. The first novel featured some exciting stuff, and as a kid, I couldn’t put it down. It’s amazing to believe that the series ultimately spawned 56 volumes.

Did you devour this book like I did? If so, did you know that the Casca images by artist Darrel Millsap on the cover of every title were based on this photo of author Barry Sadler?

And, did you know that same Special Forces Veteran Barry Sadler also wrote and performed the song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” which hit Number 1 on the charts in the Spring of 1966? If you’ve ever served at Ft Bragg, you’ve heard that diddy a time or two.

Although Sadler passed away in 1989 of complications following a gun shot wound, the Casca-series of books carried on and still boasts a website dedicated to the series.

We recently git ahold of some additional photos of Sadler, wearing his signature M43 field cap and posing beside his vintage Schwimwagen.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at 10:00 and is filed under Morale. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.