The Ranger Memorial at Fort Benning, GA

The United States Army Rangers have had a long and very unique history, that has led up to their current status as one of the world's premier light infantry forces. The 75th Ranger Regiment —also known as the United States Army Rangers— is a special operations force of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); with headquarters in Fort Benning, Georgia. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ...

Early Rangers

The term Ranger first appeared in 13th century England. The origin of the ranger tradition in North America lies in the seventeenth century wars between colonists and Native American Indian tribes. In the original concept, rangers were full-time soldiers employed by colonial governments to "range" among fixed frontier fortifications in reconnaissance providing early warning of raids. In offensive operations they were scouts and guides, locating targets (such as villages) for task forces drawn from the militia or other colonial troops. In general, a ranger is a keeper, guardian, or soldier who ranges over a region to protect the area or enforce the law. ...

French and Indian Wars

By 1675-1676 a new element appeared in the ranger concept. Benjamin Church (1639-1718) of Massachusetts developed a special, full-time unit mixing white frontiersman with friendly natives to execute offensive strikes against enemies in terrain where normal militia units were ineffective. So effective were Church's Rangers that his memoirs became America's first military manual, when it was published in 1716 by one of his sons. Dr. Benjamin Church Benjamin Church (August 24, 1734 - 1776) was the first Surgeon General of the Continental Army July 27, 1775 _ October 17, 1775. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

The traditional usage of ranger units peaked during the French and Indian Wars. In 1756, Robert Rogers of New Hampshire organized a corps of New England woodsmen as full-time Provincials directly under British military auspices, and paid with British funds. The Ranger companies, known as Rogers' Rangers, supported British operations against French Canada on the New York and St. Lawrence River fronts. They occasionally operated with friendly Indians, but, more commonly, served with the British as traditional allies. Astute British commanders assigned regular British officers to Rogers' Rangers for training and experience in wilderness warfare, which they could then teach to their regular army regiments. The 1st Battalion 119th Field Artillery of Michigan and the Queen's York Rangers of Canada both claim descent from Rogers Rangers. The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts in North America that represented the actions there that accompanied the European dynastic wars. ... Robert Rogers may refer to: Robert Rogers (1864-1936), Canadian politician Robert Rogers, 18th century British officer and explorer This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ... Rogers Rangers — commanded by Major Robert Rogers — was an Independent Company of Rangers attached to the British Army during the French and Indian War. ... NY redirects here. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... The 1-119th Field Artillery is part of the Michigan Army National Guard. ... The 1st American Regiment was originally raised during the Seven Years War by Robert Rogers and were better known as Rogers Rangers. ...

American Revolution

Veterans of this corps had a major role in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, including Major General Israel Putnam and Brigadier Generals John Stark and Moses Hazen. The traditional usage of the military term 'ranger' had limited application during that later war. Various state governments employed ranger units for local frontier security, but the Continental Army formed very few, partly because George Washington considered frontier security a local responsibility, and focused national military forces toward opposing regular British and German army units in formal battle. Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Dutch Republic, Spain, American Indians Kingdom of Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, American Indians Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene, Bernardo de Gálvez Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the... Maj. ... General John Stark John Stark (August 28, 1728 - May 8, 1822) was a general who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. ... Moses Hazen (1733-1802) was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and was later elected the first President of the United States. ...

Other than the regiments and separate rifle companies from Pennsylvania and the states to the south, who fought more as light infantry rather than as ranger infantry, the Continental Army only formed two functional ranger units: Knowlton's Rangers and Whitcomb's Rangers. This article is about the U.S. State. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... Thomas Knowlton (1740–1776) was an American patriot who served in the French and Indian War and acted as a Colonel during the American Revolution. ... Whitcombs Rangers were formed on October 15, 1776 at Fort Ticonderoga in New York consisting of two companies of New Hampshire rangers for service with the Continental Army under the comand of Benjamin Whitcomb a veteran of Bedels Regiment. ...

Knowlton's Rangers

Main article: Knowlton's Rangers

Knowlton's Rangers was a provisional, three-company unit of volunteers drawn from Connecticut and Massachusetts infantry line regiments commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton, were created during late summer of 1776, at New York City. They fought excellently as light infantry in the battle of Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776, but Knowlton was mortally wounded. Two months later, the remnants of the corps fell to British hands when Fort Washington surrendered; of this corps, Captain Nathan Hale gained immortality as a brave, but inept spy. Thomas Knowlton (1740–1776) was an American patriot who served in the French and Indian War and acted as a Colonel during the American Revolution. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Thomas Knowlton (1740–1776) was an American patriot who served in the French and Indian War and acted as a Colonel during the American Revolution. ... Residental buildings on West 116th Street opposite Columbia University between Morningside Drive and Amsterdam Avenue For the El Paso, Texas neighborhood, see Morningside Heights, El Paso, Texas Morningside Heights is a neighborhood of the Borough of Manhattan in New York City and is bounded by the Upper West Side, Morningside... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Year 1776 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. ... Nathan Hale, by Frederick MacMonnies, 1893, City Hall Park, New York Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. ...

Whitcomb's Rangers

Main article: Whitcomb's Rangers

Whitcomb's Rangers originated as a similar, provisional ranger unit on the Lake Champlain front, in 1776. It gained permanent status as a two-company force on October 15th of that year, and provided reconnaissance to the Northern Department until January 1, 1781, when it disbanded at Coos, New Hampshire, as part of a general re-organization of the Continental Army. Most of Whitcomb's men were from New Hampshire and the Hampshire Grants (now Vermont). Whitcombs Rangers were formed on October 15, 1776 at Fort Ticonderoga in New York consisting of two companies of New Hampshire rangers for service with the Continental Army under the comand of Benjamin Whitcomb a veteran of Bedels Regiment. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain (French: lac Champlain) is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in the province of Quebec. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1781 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Coos County (pronounced CO-ahss with two syllables, and sometimes rendered as Coös County) is a county in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, including the whole of the states northern panhandle. ... The New Hampshire Grants or Benning Wentworth Grants were land grants made between 1749 and 1764 by the provincial governor of the New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Other Ranger units

Other units in the Continental Army either used the term 'ranger' in their designation or were commonly called 'rangers', but did not serve as ranger infantry in the traditional, military sense. South Carolina and Georgia each raised mounted ranger units in 1775-1776, but when they became part of the Continental Army during the summer of 1776 they transformed to mounted infantry. In fact, over several years, the 3rd South Carolina Regiment gradually evolved into a line infantry regiment. When General Washington authorized Gist's Additional Continental Regiment, in 1777, he intended to man it with a mixture of white (Caucasian) southern frontiersmen and Indians of the Cherokee and related tribes. Washington wanted to use it as a vehicle for insuring tribal support — its Native American members would become hostages guaranteeing the 'good behavior' of the rest of the tribe — as well as a combat element. The ranger regiment never recruited the component Indians, and changes in British operations transformed the white elements to normal infantry. Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35... The 3rd South Carolina Regiment was raised on June 6, 1775 at Ninety-Six Court House, South Carolina for service with the Continental Army. ...

Contrary to myth, the light troops in the Continental Army overwhelmingly followed European doctrinal concepts. The four regiments of light dragoons raised in 1777 as a reconnaissance force derived from European developments in light cavalry during the eighteenth century. Only briefly, during the 1777-1778 winter did the Continental Army experiment with using them as a shock troop.

Light infantry companies, which were added to each Continental Army infantry regiment in 1778, also had European roots. The American leaders stressed the ideas of Maurice, comte de Saxe and the comte de Guibert, two leading French military theorists, which advocated cross-training every soldier to perform both line infantry and light infantry roles to allow for greater mission flexibility. Light companies normally assembled into provisional battalions at the start of each year's campaign, and acted as a special strike force in traditional battlefields, and not as a reconnaissance unit.

The Continental Army's other light troops sprang from a relatively new European concept, not the native American ranger tradition. During the Seven Years' War, most European armies developed partisan corps (a.k.a. frei korps). Originally fielded by the French to counter Austrian irregular fighters recruited in the Balkans, they filled a unique niche, by providing deep field security around an army in campaign or executed raids behind enemy lines. The Continental Army authorized several of these formations in 1777 and 1778, primarily employing European volunteers who could not be integrated to existing regiments without provoking arguments over rank or because of language barriers. Light Horse Harry Lee of Virginia (the father of confederate rebel general Robert E. Lee) raised the only American-born partisan unit. Each partisan unit in the Continental Army, however, had a unique organisation. For the 1563–1570 war, see Nordic Seven Years War. ... Balkan peninsula with northwest border Isonzo-Krka-Sava The Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe a region of southeastern Europe. ... Henry Lee III (January 29, 1756 - March 25, 1818), 18th century American general, called Light Horse Harry, was born near Dumfries, Virginia. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ...

The 1781 re-organization of the Continental Army resolved the issue of light troops with greater centralised control. The light infantry companies continued forming provisional battalions for each campaign season. The four regiments of light dragoons transformed into combined arms Legionary Corps comprisng four mounted and two dismounted troops; the partisan elements consolidated into two Partisan Corps, each with three mounted and three dismounted troops. The structure of the legionary corps focused on providing close reconnaissance and security patrols for a field army, although operational and manpower problems hampered most of the regiments complete success.

Of all these units, only Elisha Sheldon's 2nd Legionary Corps (a Connecticut unit serving in 1781 in the West Point-Westchester County zone) fully exploited the possibilities of the combined arms structure. The two dismounted troops, armed and equipped as light infantry, provided camp defence from enemy surprise attack, and also provided a base of fire around which the mounted elements could manoeuver. They also became adept at employing mounted troops in a raids meant to provoke British pursuit, which they would end with a classic, "L-shaped" ambush.

The 1st Partisan Corps under the Frenchman "Colonel Armand" (marquis de la Rouerie), and the 2nd under Lee both were assigned to Major General Nathanael Greene's Southern Department. Armand's remained a shell-unit during 1781, but Lee had great success in the Carolinas, executing specific missions for which the 3-3 mix of mounted and dismounted troops had been designed. In formal battles, they provided unblemished flank security, but were better employed in rear battle, by effecting deep raids against British logistical bases. Lee, in particular, shined when his regulars stiffened the irregular local forces of leaders such as Francis Marion ("The Swamp Fox"). The mix of mounted and dismounted soldiers gave the larger units greater staying power during independent firefights while also allowing rapid forced-marches (each light infantryman grasped a dragoon's stirrups). Armands Legion also known as 1st Partisan Corps was formed on June 25, 1778 at Boston, Massachusetts under the command of Colonel Charles Armand Tuffin for service with the Continental Army. ... Charles Armand Tuffin, marquis de la Rouërie (April 1757 - January 1793), also known in the United States as Colonel Armand, was a French cavalry officer who served under the American flag during the American war of independence and as one of the initial leaders of the Breton conjuration during... Charles Willson Peale painted a portrait of General Greene from life in 1783, which was then copied several times by C.W. Peale and his son, Rembrandt Peale. ... Francis Marion (the Swamp Fox) Francis Marion (February 26, 1732 - February 27, 1795) was a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army and later Brigadier General in the South Carolina Militia during the American Revolutionary War. ...

None of the light infantry units deployed by the Continental Army executed a trainer role as had Rogers' Rangers during the French and Indian War. In fact, Major General Friedrich von Steuben wrote a separate drill manual for them, in late 1780. He and General Washington intended this to serve as a companion volume to the famous "Blue Book", but operational factors prevented its publication and distribution. During the War of 1812, Congress authorised raising ranger units for fighting Indians in the western territories. Baron von Steuben Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus Steuben, Baron von Steuben (November 15, 1730-November 28, 1794) was a German army officer who served with George Washington in the American Revolutionary War and is credited with teaching American troops the essentials of military drill and discipline. ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... In the UK Blue book is the nickname given to a Westminster parliamentary paper with a blue cover. ...

American Civil War

The most famous Rangers of the American Civil War fought for the Confederate States Army. In January 1863, John S. Mosby was given command of the 43rd Battalion, Partisan Ranger. Mosby's Rangers became infamous among Union soldiers due to their frequent raids on supply trains and couriers. Their reputation was heightened considerably when they performed a raid deep into Union territory and captured three high ranking officers, including Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton. Weeks after the surrender of the Confederate Army, Mosby disbanded his unit, rather than formally surrender. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Some Confederate soldiers The Confederate States Army (CSA) was formed in February 1861 to defend the Confederate States of America, which had itself been formed that same year when seven Southern states seceded from the United States (four more states soon followed). ... John Mosby John Singleton Mosby (December 6, 1833 – May 30, 1916), also known as the Gray Ghost, was a Confederate partisan ranger (guerrilla fighter) in the American Civil War. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... Edwin H. Stoughton Edwin Henry Stoughton (June 23, 1838 - December 25, 1868), was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a lawyer. ...

Also a famous Confederate commander, Turner Ashby led a cavalry company known as the Mountain Rangers, who became known for their ability to harass Union soldiers. Turner Ashby (October 23, 1828 - June 6, 1862) was a Confederate cavalry commander, enlisting at rank of Capitan, then attaining rank of Colonel, and finally the rank of Brigadier General. ...

Interestingly, the most successful attacks against Mosby's Rangers were carried out by the Union Army's Mean's Rangers. Mean's Rangers became famous when they successfully captured General James Longstreet's ammunition train. They later fought and captured a portion of Mosby's force. James Longstreet (January 8, 1821 – January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War, the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his Old War Horse. ...

World War II

European theater

World War II "lozenge" patch

In May 1942, during World War II, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned, recruited, and began training in Scotland under the British Commandos; 80 percent of the original rangers came from the 34th Infantry Division. Together with the ensuing 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions they fought in North Africa and Italy commanded by William O. Darby until the Battle of Cisterna (January 29, 1944) when most of the rangers of the 1st and 3rd battalions were captured. Image File history File links Ranger_Battalion_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia. ... Image File history File links Ranger_Battalion_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... 1/75 Ranger Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia 1/75 Ranger Regiment Beret Flash The 1st Ranger Battalion was formed upon Americas entry into World War II. Major General Lucian Truscott, U.S. Army, in liaison with the British General Staff, submitted proposals to General George Marshall that we undertake... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I... The British Commandos were first formed by the Army in June 1940 during World War II as a well-armed but unregimented raider force employing unconventional and irregular tactics to assault, disrupt and reconnoitre the enemy in mainland Europe and Scandinavia. ... The 34th Infantry Division is a division of the United States Army National Guard that participated in World War I, World War II and continues to serve today, with most of the Division part of the Minesota and Iowa Army National Guard. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ... William Darby William Orlando Darby (9 February 1911 - 30 April 1945) was a captain (later colonel, posthumous brigadier general) in the United States Army during World War II. Darby led the famous Darbys Rangers which evolved into the US Army Rangers. ... The Battle of Cisterna took place during World War II, on January 29, 1944, near Cisterna , Italy, as part of Operation Shingle. ... January 29 is the 29th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ...

D-Day, Pointe-du-Hoc

Before the 5th Ranger Battalion landing on Dog White Sector, Omaha Beach, in World War II, the 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled the 150-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, a few miles to the west, to destroy a five-gun battery of 155mm artillery guns. Under constant fire during the climb, they encountered only a small company of Germans on the cliffs and the artillery withdrawn some 500 metres. The guns were later found and destroyed, and the Rangers cut and held the main road for two days before being relieved.^[1] Image File history File links Normandy Invasion, June 1944 U.S. Army Rangers show off the ladders they used to storm the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, which they assaulted in support of Omaha Beach landings on D-Day, 6 June 1944. ... Image File history File links Normandy Invasion, June 1944 U.S. Army Rangers show off the ladders they used to storm the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc, which they assaulted in support of Omaha Beach landings on D-Day, 6 June 1944. ... The Fifth Ranger Infantry Battalion activated September 1, 1943 at Camp Forrest, TN commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Max Schneider, former executive officer of the 4th Ranger Battalion, was part of the provisional Ranger Assault Force commanded by Colonel Rudder. ... Combatants United States Germany Commanders Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, U.S. 1st Infantry Division and U.S. 29th Infantry Division Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiss, German 352nd Infantry Division Strength 34,000  ? Casualties 2,400 1,200 The build-up of Omaha Beach: reinforcements of men and equipment moving inland. ... Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian... On April 1, 1943 the 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee along with the 5th Ranger Battalion. ... Pointe du Hocs location Preinvasion bombing of Pointe du Hoc by 9th Air Force bombers. ...

Pacific theater

Meanwhile two separate Ranger units fought the war in the Pacific Theater. The 98th Field Artillery Battalion was formed on 16 December 1940 and activated at Fort Lewis on January 1941. On 26 September, 1944, they were converted from field artillery to light infantry and became 6th Ranger Battalion. 6th Ranger Battalion led the invasion of the Philippines and performed the daring Raid at Cabanatuan. They played an important role until they were deactivated on 30 December, 1945, in Japan. Fort Lewis is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post located in Pierce County, Washington. ... The 6th Ranger Battalion was a US Army Ranger Battalion which saw action in the Pacific during World War II. The Battalion is best known for its role in the Raid at Cabanatuan in January 1945. ... Combatants United States and The Philippines Empire of Japan Commanders Henry Mucci Robert Prince Juan Pajota unknown Strength 127 U.S. troops 200 Filipino guerrillas est. ...

After the first Quebec Conference, the 5307th Composite Unit(provisional) was formed with Frank Merrill as the commander, leading them to be nicknamed Merrill's Marauders. They began training in India on October 31, 1943. Composed of the famous six color-coded combat teams that would become part of modern Ranger heraldry, they fought against the Japanese during the Burma Campaign. In February 1944, the Marauders began a 1,000 mile march over the Himalayan mountain range and through the Burmese jungle to strike behind the Japanese lines. By March, they had managed to cut off Japanese forces in Maingkwan and cut their supplies lines in the Hukawng Valley. On May 17, the Marauders and Chinese forces captured the Myitkina airfield, the only all-weather airfield in Burma. The Marauders proved themselves a truly exceptional unit and have the very rare distinction of having every member of the unit receive the Bronze Star Medal. Left to right: Athlone, Roosevelot, Churchill, and King The Quebec Conference (codenamed QUADRANT) was a high level military conference held during World War II between the British and United States governments. ... Major General Frank Merrill (1903 – 1955) He is best rembered for his command of Merrills Marauders, officially 5307th Composite Unit (provisional), in the Burma Campaign of World War II. Merrills Marauders came under General Joseph Stilwells Northern Combat Area Command. ... Merrill’s Marauders officially 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was a US commando unit in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II who fought in the Burma Campaign. ... The Burma Campaign was a campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II. It was fought primarily between Commonwealth, Chinese and American forces against the Empire of Japan. ... Perspective view of the Himalayas and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... Anthem: Kaba Ma Kyei Capital Naypyidaw Largest city Yangon Myanmar (Burmese) Government Military junta  - Chairman, SPDC Sr. ... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ...

After World War II, the Rangers were disbanded, however, the ranger training regime was kept in place, though only senior NCOs and officers were allowed the training. NCO may mean: a numerically-controlled oscillator in electronics a non-commissioned officer in the military   This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Korean War

At the outbreak of war in Korea, a unique Ranger unit was formed. Headed by Second Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was created in August of 1950. It would serve as the role model for the rest of the Ranger units to be formed. Instead of being organized into self-contained battalions, the Ranger units of the Korean and Vietnam eras would be organized into companies and then attached to larger units, to serve as organic special operations units. Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea  Australia  Belgium Canada  Colombia Ethiopia  France Greece  Netherlands  New Zealand  Philippines South Africa  Thailand  Turkey  United Kingdom United States Medical staff:  Denmark  India  Italy  Norway  Sweden Communist states: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea People’s Republic of China  Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ...

In total, sixteen additional Ranger companies were formed in the next seven months: Eighth Army Raider Company and First through Fifteenth Ranger Companies. The Army Chief of Staff assigned the Ranger training program at Fort Benning to Colonel John Gibson Van Houten. The program would eventually be split to include a training program located in Korea. 3rd and 7th Ranger companies were tasked to train new Rangers. Fort Benning is a military base facility of the United States military southwest of Columbus, Georgia. ...

The 28 of October 1950 would see the next four Ranger companies formed. Soldiers from the 505th Airborne Regiment and the 82nd Airborne's 80th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion volunteered and, after initially being designated the 4th Ranger Company, became the 2nd Ranger Company — the only all-black Ranger unit in United States history. After the four companies had begun their training, they were joined by the 5th-8th Ranger companies on 20 November 1950. The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was formed originally as the 82nd Infantry Division on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ...

During the course of the war, the Rangers patrolled and probed, scouted and destroyed, attacked and ambushed the Communist Chinese and Korean enemy. The 1st Rangers destroyed the 12th North Korean Division headquarters in a daring night raid. The 2nd and 4th Rangers made an combat airborne assault near Munsan where Life Magazine reported that Allied troops were now patrolling north of the 38th Parallel. Crucially, the 2nd Rangers plugged the gap made by the retreating Allied forces, the 5th Rangers helped stop the Chinese 5th Phase Offensive. As in World War II, after the Korean War, the Rangers were disbanded. Munsan is an eup in Paju City, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. ... A cover of Life Magazine from 1911 Life has been the name of two notable magazines published in the United States. ...

Vietnam War

On 1 January of 1969, under a new Combat Arms Reorganization System, U.S. Army Rangers were re-formed in Vietnam, as the 75th Ranger Infantry Regiment (Airborne). Fifteen companies of Rangers, two (A&B) of which were based in the US training new Rangers, were raised from units that had been performing long range missions in Vietnam since 1966 as Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol and Long Range Patrol companies. These new Rangers were given a unit genealogy traced to Merrill's Marauders. CARS is the Combat Arms Regimental System, under which the combat arms units in the United States Army were organized. ... Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, or LRRP (pronounced and sometimes spelled LuRP), were special six-man teams of primarily Rangers utilized in the Vietnam War on highly dangerous special operations missions deep into enemy territory. ... Merrill’s Marauders officially 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was a US commando unit in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II who fought in the Burma Campaign. ...

In Vietnam, the Rangers were organized as independent companies (C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O and P); each company was attached to a major American army combat unit. Rangers in Vietnam conducted long range, covert reconnaissance into denied areas. They collected intelligence, planned and directed air strikes, acted as force-multipliers in conventional operations, assessed bombing damage in enemy-controlled areas, executed hunter-killer missions at night and in daylight, by set ambush and by hasty ambush and surprise, and specially-trained and specially-equipped Ranger snipers killed individual enemy soldiers and officers. Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Soldiers from Arkansas Army National Guard practice marksmanship at their new sniper range near Baghdad, Iraq on February 15, 2005. ...

Additionally, Rangers attempted recovering friendly prisoners of war, captured enemy soldiers for search-and-interrogation, tapped North Vietnam Army and Viet Cong wire communications lines in their established base areas in the Ho Chi Minh trail, and mined enemy trails and motor vehicle transport routes. Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... 40th anniversary of Vietnam Peoples Army, commemorated on 1984 Vietnam postage stamp block The Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) is official name for the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. ... NLF flag The National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (Vietnamese Mặt trận Dân tá»™c Giải phóng miền Nam Việt Nam), also known as the Việt Cá»™ng   , VC, or the National Liberation Front (NLF), was an insurgent (partisan) organization... The Ho Chi Minh trail was a logistical system that ran from the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam (DRV) to South Vietnam through the neighboring countries of Laos and Cambodia. ...

Modern Rangers

75th Ranger Regiment Scroll

At end of the Vietnam War, division and brigade commanders saw that the U.S. Army needed an élite, light infantry capable of rapid deployment, so, in 1974, General Creighton Abrams created the 1st Ranger Battalion; eight months later, the 2nd Ranger Battalion was created; and, in 1984, the 3rd Ranger Battalion and the regimental headquarters was created. In 1986, the 75th Ranger Regiment was formed and their lineage formally authorized. Related images Also on Wikipedia: 2003 Ranger Rendezvous Rangers on night recon Rangers on patrol Ranger Tab: badge) Ranger Tab: embroided) Source [1]: USASOC: 75h Ranger Regiment Fact Sheet File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Related images Also on Wikipedia: 2003 Ranger Rendezvous Rangers on night recon Rangers on patrol Ranger Tab: badge) Ranger Tab: embroided) Source [1]: USASOC: 75h Ranger Regiment Fact Sheet File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. ...

The 4th, 5th, and 6th Ranger Battalions were re-activated, becoming the Ranger Training Brigade, the instructors of the modern day Ranger School. As parts of a TRADOC school, the 4th, 5th and 6th Ranger Battalions are no longer included in the 75th Ranger Regiment. The United States Army Ranger School is an intense nine-week long combat leadership course, conducted in three three-week phases - at Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S.A., (the woodland terrain, Benning Phase), at Camp Merrill, Georgia, (the Mountain Phase), and at Camp Rudder, (Eglin AFB), Florida, (the Swamp Phase). ... TRADOC shoulder sleeve patch. ...

Rangers have since participated in numerous operations, including the failed 1980 attempt to rescue the American hostages held in Teheran, Iran in (Operation Eagle Claw); Operation Urgent Fury on Grenada in 1983; the Operation Just Cause in 1989; Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield in 1991; Somalia in 1993; a Company of the 3rd Ranger Batallion was deployed to Haiti in 1994, before the operation's cancellation when recalled 5 miles from the Haitian coast; and the 3rd Ranger Batallion spearheaded the assaults against Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda in 2001 and the Iraq War in 2003. Combatants United States Iran Casualties 8 dead, 4 injured None Operation Eagle Claw (or Operation Evening Light) was a United States military operation to rescue the 53 hostages from the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran on April 24, 1980. ... Combatants United States Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Dominica Jamaica Saint Lucia St. ... U.S. Army Rangers prepare to take La Comandancia in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989. ... Combatants Kuwait United States United Kingdom Saudi Arabia Egypt Qatar France Canada UN Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Saddam Hussein Strength 660,000 360,000 Casualties 378 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 dead, 75,000 wounded The Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991) was a... Combatants United States, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, Norway, Germany Taliban insurgents, al-Qaeda Commanders Buster Hagenbeck unknown Strength 2000 500-1500 Casualties 90 casualties (8 U.S. servicemen dead, 82 wounded) 500-800 [1] In early March 2002 the United States military, along with allied Afghan military... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...

Bravo Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion's actions during Operation Gothic Serpent and especially during Battle of Mogadishu became especially well known after Mark Bowden published the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War and the movie based off the book. Bravo Company, 3rd Batallion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in Somalia, 1993. ... Combatants USSOF, UNOSOM II Somali National Alliance-affiliated militias Commanders William F. Garrison Mohamed Farrah Aidid Strength 160 2,000+ Casualties U.S. 18 killed 73 wounded 1 captured Malaysia 1 killed 7 wounded Pakistan 2 wounded Militia and civilians 1,000+ killed 3,000+ wounded Task Force Ranger achieved... Mark Robert Bowden (II) (born July 17, 1951) is an accomplished American writer. ... “Black Hawk Down” is an official phrase used on combat situations, by the United States military, to inform the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter. ... Black Hawk Down is a 2001 film by Ridley Scott, based on the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden. ...

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

75th Ranger Regiment Coat of Arms

• World War II:

1. Algeria-French Morocco (with arrowhead);
2. Tunisia;
3. Sicily (with arrowhead);
4. Naples-Foggia (with arrowhead);
5. Anzio (with arrowhead);
6. Rome-Arno;
7. Normandy (with arrowhead);
8. Northern France;
9. Rhineland;
10. Ardennes-Alsace;
11. Central Europe;
12. New Guinea;
13. Leyte (with arrowhead);
14. Luzon;
15. India-Burma;
16. Central Burma

• Vietnam:

1. Advisory;
2. Defense;
3. Counteroffensive;
4. Counteroffensive, Phase II;
5. Counteroffensive, Phase III;
6. Tet Counteroffensive;
7. Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
8. Counteroffensive, Phase V;
9. Counteroffensive, Phase VI;
10. Tet 69/Counteroffensive;
11. Summer-Fall 1969;
12. Winter-Spring 1970;
13. Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
14. Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
15. Consolidation I;
16. Consolidation II;
17. Cease-Fire

• Armed Forces Expeditions:

1. Grenada (with arrowhead)
2. Panama (with arrowhead)
3. Afghanistan (with arrowhead)
4. Iraq (with arrowhead)

Image File history File links 75_Ranger_Regiment_Distinctive_Unit_Insignia. ... Image File history File links 75_Ranger_Regiment_Distinctive_Unit_Insignia. ... Image File history File links 75_Ranger_Regiment_Coat_Of_Arms. ... Image File history File links 75_Ranger_Regiment_Coat_Of_Arms. ...

Decorations

1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for El Guetar
2. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for Salerno
3. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for Pointe du Hoc
4. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for Saar River Area
5. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for Myitkyina
6. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for Vietnam 1966-1968
7. Valorous Unit Award for Vietnam - II Corps Area
8. Valorous Unit Award for Binh Duong Province
9. Valorous Unit Award for III Corps Area 1969
10. Valorous Unit Award for Fish Hook
11. Valorous Unit Award for III Corps Area 1971
12. Valorous Unit Award for Thua Thien- Quang Tri
13. Valorous Unit Award for Grenada
14. Valorous Unit Award for Mogadishu
15. Valorous Unit Award for Haditha, Iraq
16. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for Vietnam 1968
17. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for Vietnam 1969
18. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for Vietnam 1969-1970
19. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for Pacific Area

Please see Presidential Unit Citation for other versions of this award The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941 (the date of the Attack on... El Guetar (Arabic: الجتار) is a town in central Tunisia in Gafsa Governorate. ... Salerno is a town and a province capital in Campania, south-western Italy, located on the gulf of the same name on the Tyrrhenian Sea. ... Pointe du Hocs location Preinvasion bombing of Pointe du Hoc by 9th Air Force bombers. ... Saar loop at Mettlach The Saar (French: Sarre) is a river, that rises in the Vosges mountains in Alsace with two headstreams (Red and White Saar) at the Donon, running through Lorraine and the Saarland, which was named after it. ... Myitkyina is a city, and the capital of Kachin State in Myanmar, located 919miles from Yangon, or 487 miles from Mandalay. ... The Valorous Unit Award is a decoration which is awarded to units of the United States Army which display extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States of America. ... Tỉnh Bình Dương Geography Capital: Thu Dao Mot Region: Southeast Area: 6,696 km² Districts: 6 People Population: 787,600 Ethnicities: Viet, Khmer, Tay, Hoa, Xtieng Government Council Chairperson: Nguyen Minh Duc Committee Chairperson: Ho Minh Phuong Map Vietnamese, Bình Dư&#417... Combatants South Vietnam, United States Viet Cong, North Vietnam Commanders Mark A. Smith â˜ Tran Van Tra Strength 1,000+ 40,000+ Casualties Unknown 10,000+ The Battle of Loc Ninh was a major battle fought during North Vietnams Nguyen Hue Campaign and lasted from April 4 to April 7... Thừa Thiên–Huế is a province in Vietnam, approximately in the center of the nation. ... Quang Tri (in Vietnamese Quảng Trị  ) is a province in the North Central Coast of Vietnam, next to the former capital of Huế. This is where the southernmost Chinese commandery of Rinan was centred during the Later Han dynasty (25-220 CE). ... Combatants USSOF, UNOSOM II Somali National Alliance-affiliated militias Commanders William F. Garrison Mohamed Farrah Aidid Strength 160 2,000+ Casualties U.S. 18 killed 73 wounded 1 captured Malaysia 1 killed 7 wounded Pakistan 2 wounded Militia and civilians 1,000+ killed 3,000+ wounded Task Force Ranger achieved... Haditha, Iraq Haditha (حديثة) is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, about 240 km northwest of Baghdad. ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions. ...

References

1. ^ Small Unit Actions Center of Military History, Washington, DC 1982.

• ArmyRanger.com
• U.S. Army Ranger Association
• Ranger Hall of Fame
• Rangers in Colonial and Revolutionary America
• Merrill's Marauders
• Lock, John D. and Moore, Harold G. To Fight With Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present Fenestra Books, 2001 ISBN 1587360640