United States Army Ranger

U. S. ARMY RANGER -   The U.S. Army Ranger history predates the Revolutionary War.  In the mid-1700s, Capt. Benjamin Church and Maj. Robert Rogers both formed Ranger units to fight during King Phillips War and the French and Indian War.  Rogers wrote the 19 standing orders that are still in use today.

In 1775, the Continental Congress formed eight companies of expert riflemen to fight in the Revolutionary War.  Later, during 1777, this force of hardy frontiersmen, commanded by Dan Morgan, was known as the Corps of Rangers.  Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox," organized another famous Revolutionary War Ranger element, known as Marion's Partisans.

During the War of 1812, companies of U.S. Rangers were raised from among the frontier settlers as part of the Regular Army.  Throughout the war, they patrolled the frontier from Ohio to western Illinois on horseback and by boat.  They participated in many skirmishes and battles with the British and their Indian allies.  Many famous men belonged to Ranger units during the 18th and 19th centuries, including Daniel Boone and Abraham Lincoln.

The Civil War included Rangers such as John Singleton Mosby, who was the most famous Confederate Ranger.  His raids on Union camps and bases were so effective - part of North-Central Virginia soon became known as Mosby's Confederacy.

After the Civil War, more than half a century passed without military Ranger units in America.  However, during World War II, from 1941-1945, the United States, using British Commando standards, activated six Ranger infantry battalions.

Then-Maj. William O. Darby, who was later a brigadier general, organized and activated the 1st Ranger Battalion at Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, June 19, 1942.  The 1st Ranger Battalion participated in the North African landing at Arzeu, Algeria, the Tunisian Battles, and the critical Battle of El Guettar.

The 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions were activated and trained by Col. Darby in Africa near the end of the Tunisian Campaign.  The 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalions formed the Ranger force.  They began the tradition of wearing the scroll shoulder sleeve insignia, which has been officially adopted for today's Ranger battalions.

The outbreak of hostilities in Korea, June 1950, again signaled the need for Rangers.  Fifteen Ranger companies were formed during the Korean War. The Rangers went to battle throughout the winter of 1950 and the spring of 1951.  They were nomadic warriors, attached first to one regiment and then to another.  They performed "out front" work - scouting, patrolling, raids, ambushes, spearheading assaults, and as counterattack forces, to regain lost positions.

Rangers were again called to serve their country during the Vietnam War.  The 75th Infantry was reorganized once more, Jan. 1, 1969, as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System.  Fifteen separate Ranger companies were formed from this reorganization. Thirteen served proudly in Vietnam until inactivation, Aug. 15, 1972.

In January 1974, Gen. Creighton Abrams, Army chief of staff, directed the formation of a Ranger battalion. The 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, was activated and parachuted into Fort Stewart, Ga., July 1, 1974. The 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, followed with activation, Oct. 1, 1974. The 3rd Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger), and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger), received their colors on Fort Benning, Ga., Oct. 3, 1984. The 75th Ranger Regiment was designated during February 1986.

The modern Ranger battalions were first called upon in 1980. Elements of 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger), participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempts.

Today, Rangers from all four of its current battalions continue to lead the way in overseas contingency operations.  The 75th Ranger Regiment is conducting sustained combat operations in multiple countries deploying from various locations in the United States, a task that is unprecedented for the regiment.  Rangers continue to conduct combat operations with almost every deployed special operations, conventional and coalition force in support of both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  The Ranger Regiment is executing a wide range of diverse operations that include airborne and air assaults into Afghanistan and Iraq, mounted infiltrations behind enemy lines, complex urban raids and rescue operations.

In addition to conducting missions in support of overseas contingency operations, the 75th Ranger Regiment continues to train in the United States and overseas to prepare for future no-notice worldwide combat deployments.  The regiment also continues to recruit, assess and train the next generation of Rangers and Ranger leadership.