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SOF History
U.S. special operations forces (SOF) history can be traced back to the French and Indian War.
World War II SOF
U.S. Army Rangers. There were a number of Army Ranger battalions formed during World War II. Many of the Ranger battalions saw service in the European theater. However, some were employed in the Pacific theater. The 6th Ranger Battalion was part of a combined force (including the Alamo Scouts and Philippine guerrillas) that rescued over 500 POWs from the Cabanatuan POW camp on January 30, 1945.
Merrill's Marauders. On October 3, 1993, the 5307 Composite Group was established. The unit, also known as Merrill's Marauders, conducted deep range combat operations against Japanese forces in the Pacific theater.
First Special Service Force (FSSF). This unit was nicknamed "The Devil's Brigade" and was made up of volunteer U.S. and Canadian soldiers. FSSF.
Operation Halyard. During World War II, hundreds of Allied airmen were stranded behind enemy lines in German-occupied Yugoslavia. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and Yugoslavian resistance forces formed an evacuation network to rescue the stranded airmen. Learn more about Operation Halyard.
Vietnam
MACV-SOG. One of the more storied special operations units during the Vietnam War was Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group. MACV-SOG was a highly classified, multi-service United States special operations unit which conducted covert unconventional warfare operations prior to and during the Vietnam War. Read more at https://sogsite.com/
Cold War Era
OCPW. The Office of the Chief of Psychological Warfare was established in 1950 by the Department of Defense in response to the onset of the Korean conflict. The OCPW had the mission of psychological operations and special operations. The DoD then established the Pschological Warfare Center and the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
News Articles about SOF History
October 20, 2023, "How War in Grenada Built U.S. SOCOM", by Forrest L. Marion, National Interest. In the aftermath of Iran-Grenada, several congressional leaders took the initiative to reorganize the Pentagon’s special operations forces, culminating in the creation of U.S. Special Operations Command in 1987.
February 12, 2023, "SEASPRAY: Clandestine Air Operations and Covert Activity", by Alec Smith, Grey Dynamics.
January 6, 2021. "Anniversary of the deactivation of the 6th Ranger Battalion", USASOC History Office.
November 11, 2020, "The Legend of Wild Bill: How Donovan Got His Nickname", Central Intelligence Agency.
Psychological Operations
"Special Operatons Force Structure: Strategic Calculus or Organizational Power", by Cole Livieratos and Ken Gleiman, War on the Rocks, February 6, 2024. The authors describe the long history of PSYOP over the past several decades since World War II.
Related Pages
FSSF
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