| Page Created |
| April 5th, 2022 |
| Last Updated |
| March 3rd, 2024 |
| United States |
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| Other Countries |
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| History |
At the outset of World War II, the United States lacked active Special Forces units. This situation changed, inspired by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s belief in the morale-boosting impact of offensive actions during challenging times. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt echoed this sentiment, advocating for commando-like raids as a means to bolster the spirits of English-speaking populations. He often discussed the significance of such operations in his iconic fireside chats, aiming to restore confidence among Americans.
The historical context of American irregular forces dates back to as early as 1675 during the Indian Wars, with units like Church’s Rangers. These early Rangers were essentially local militias, comprising forest men, hunters, and frontiersmen. In the French and Indian War from 1755 to 1763, numerous Ranger companies served a similar purpose, engaging in scouting, deep penetration raids into enemy territories, and supporting the British Army. The most notable pre-World War II Ranger unit was Rogers Rangers, initially part of the New Hampshire Provincial Regiment and later an independent entity known as His Majesty’s Independent Company of American Rangers. Although disbanded post-war in 1763, their legacy continued to influence military tactics and formations.
| Department | |
| Allied Intelligence Bureau | |
| Office of Strategic Services (OSS) |  |
| Small Units | |
| Naval Amphibious Scouts |  |
| Native American Code Talkers |  |
| Jedburghs |  |
| Operational Groups, Office of Strategic Services (OSS) | |
| Naval Amphibious Forces | |
| U.S. 6th Army Alamo Scouts U.S. 6th Army Special Reconnaissance Unit |  |
| U.S. Navy Beach Jumper Units | |
| Company | |
| – |
| Battalion | |
| 1st Marine Parachute Battalion |  |
| 29th Ranger Battalion |  |
| 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special) |  |
| 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion, (Separate) (Provincial) | |
| 5217th Reconnaissance Battalion, Special |  |
| Marine Raider Battalions |  |
| Brigade | |
| 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) Merrill’s Marauders Galahad |  |
| 5332nd Brigade (Provisional) 475th Infantry Regiment (LRP, Special) |  |
| U.S. Army Rangers Darby’s Rangers | |
| Division | |
| 1st Special Service Force |  |
| 13th Airborne Division |  |
| 17th Airborne Division |  |
| 82nd Airborne Division All Americans |  |
| 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles |  |
| 1st Air Commando Group (China-Burma-India) Project 9 |  |
| 2nd Air Commando Group (China-Burma-India) |  |
| 3rd Air Commando Group (South-West Pacific) |  |
| Troop Carrier Groups |  |
| 17th Bombardment Group |  |
| 492nd Bombardment Group Carpetbaggers |  |
| 801st Bombardment Group Carpetbaggers | |
| Corps/Army | |
| 1st Allied Airborne Army |  |
| XVIII U.S. Airborne Corps |  |