Flag of the First Special Service Force

First Special Service Force
LEGACY

All Special Forces Groups in the 1st Special Forces Regiment trace their official U.S. Army lineage and honors to the FSSF activation on 9 July 1942. The SF Coat of Arms, emblazoned on the SF Regimental colors, are connected to the Force. The shield was originally approved for the FSSF. It includes the distinctive V-42 fighting knife designed by LTC Frederick. The crest has crossed arrows, originally used by the U.S. Army Indian Scouts in 1890. They were worn as a branch insignia by the Force during World War II. In 1960, the fighting knife and crossed arrows were incorporated into the SF Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) worn by the Regiment. The SF Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) or ‘unit patch,’ adopted in 1955, is shaped just like the FSSF red arrowhead patch with USA and CANADA embroidered in white. The First Special Service Force connection resonates throughout the Special Forces Regiment today.

FSSF Disbanded

1947 FSSF Monument
1947 FSSF Monument
VIDEO: Deactivation
VIDEO: Canadians Break Rank
VIDEO: Redesignation
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FSSF Reunions

1949 Reunion
1949 Reunion
1952 Reunion
1952 Reunion
1960 Reunion
1960 Reunion
1968 Reunion
1968 Reunion
1971 Reunion
1971 Reunion
1982 Reunion
1982 Reunion
2010 flag dedication
2010 flag dedication
2010 flag dedication
2010 flag dedication
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FSSF Insignia

First Special Service Force shoulder patch
First Special Service Force SSI
Devil's Brigade patch
Devil's Brigade patch
Amphibian Training Force 9 “Corlett’s Long Knives”
Amphibian Training Force 9,
“Corlett’s Long Knives”
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Congressional Gold Medal

Medal, front and back
Medal, front and back
VIDEO: February 3, 2015. Members of congress present the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the First Special Service Force. In acceptance: Charles W. Mann, Canadian Veteran of the FSSF, and Eugene Gutierrez Jr., U.S. Veteran of the FSSF.

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