Headquarters, USASOC

Honoring ARSOF History, Legacy, and Sacrifice

Introduction

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) was officially activated on 1 December 1989. However, modern Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) extend back to World War I with Psychological Operations (PSYOP) and Civil Affairs (CA), and to World War II with Special Forces (SF), Rangers, and ARSOF Support.

It was during the Second World War that such well-known units as the First Special Service Force, the Ranger Battalions, Merrill’s Marauders, MARS Task Force, and the Office of Strategic Services, were established and contributed to ultimate Allied victory. Since then, ARSOF soldiers have conducted operations across the globe, establishing a tradition of service, sacrifice, and valor in defense of the nation.

The first predecessor command to have an unbroken connection to USASOC was the Psychological Warfare (Psywar) Center and School, activated on 10 April 1952 and existing today as the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS). Accordingly, USASOC uses that date as its starting point for memorializing its fallen soldiers. Described below are the many ways in which USASOC honors its history, its legacy, and its people.

USASOC Memorial Wall

USASOC Memorial Wall

VIDEO: USASOC Memorial Day Ceremony, May 2021

The USASOC Memorial Wall at Fort Liberty, NC, pays tribute to all of the command’s fallen warriors who died in the performance of their duties in designated combat zones since April 1952. It displays their names in chronological order of their deaths by conflict or category, from the Korean War through the present day. As of Memorial Day 2021, there are 1,241 names on the USASOC Memorial Wall, with 376 of them having given their lives since 11 September 2001.

Criteria for Inclusion: Individuals assigned to USASOC (or to the Psychological Warfare Center and School or its successor commands) that are killed or have died of wounds received in action (KIA/DWRIA) as a direct result of one of the following:

  • Any action against an enemy of the U.S.
  • Any action with an opposing armed force while in a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the U.S. are or have been engaged.
  • Service with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party.
  • Military action outside the territory of the U.S. as part of a peacekeeping/peace enforcing operation.
  • An international terrorist attack against the U.S. or a foreign nation friendly to the U.S.
  • While participating in a named operation, or killed during a terrorist bombing in CONUS; or while supporting another U.S. government agency, activity, or element in CONUS in an official capacity.

For our online memorial, visit ARSOF Fallen

Eagle Rising sculpture

Eagle Rising Statue

Eagle Rising sculpture

Dedicated on 27 May 2010 as part of the new USASOC Memorial Wall, the ‘Eagle Rising’ statue was recast by world-renowned artist and sculptor Lorenzo Ghiglieri using the smelted fallen warrior nameplates from the former USASOC Memorial Wall. It bears the USASOC insignia to represent ARSOF’s ties to its legacy, as well as the association of all USASOC fallen warriors, regardless of Military Occupational Specialty, to Army Special Operations.

Learn more about Lorenzo Ghiglieri

Stones in the USASOC Memorial Plaza

The Memorial Plaza outside of USASOC, dedicated on 9 December 1994, contains stones honoring past and current Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) units and operations. The stones are uniformly carved from Georgia granite. Donated to the command and accepted by the Secretary of the Army, the stones reflect what the sponsoring associations deemed relevant to the ARSOF legacy, therefore accounting for the variation in content and appear-ance. The thirty-four current stones represent units, operations, and associations from WWII to the present. It is a ‘living’ memorial that allows new stones to be added.

Click on the article icon Learn more icon to learm more about the ARSOF units and operations.
NSC = No Specific Conflict

Guerrilla Command - Korean War Guerrilla Command - Korean War
Guerrilla Command - Korean War Learn more
Special Operations Association - NSC Special Operations Association - NSC
Special Operations Association - NSC Learn more
Mike Force - Vietnam War Mike Force - Vietnam War
Mike Force - Vietnam War Learn more
1st Special Forces Group - NSC 1st Special Forces Group - NSC
1st Special Forces Group - NSC Learn more
MARS Task Force - WWII MARS Task Force - WWII
MARS Task Force - WWII Learn more
3rd Special Forces Group - 1963-Present 3rd Special Forces Group - 1963-Present
3rd Special Forces Group - 1963-Present Learn more
Task Force DAGGER - OEF Task Force DAGGER - OEF
Task Force DAGGER - OEF Learn more
OSS Detachment 101 - WWII OSS Detachment 101 - WWII
OSS Detachment 101 - WWII Learn more
Alamo Scouts - WWII Alamo Scouts - WWII
Alamo Scouts - WWII Learn more
WWII Ranger Battalions - WWII WWII Ranger Battalions - WWII
WWII Ranger Battalions - WWII Learn more
Merrill’s Marauders - WWII Merrill’s Marauders - WWII
Merrill’s Marauders - WWII Learn more
Special Forces Association - NSC Special Forces Association - NSC
Special Forces Association - NSC Learn more
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - 1981-Present 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - 1981-Present
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - 1981-Present Learn more
OSS Maritime Unit - WWII OSS Maritime Unit - WWII
OSS Maritime Unit - WWIILearn more
Son Tay Raider Association - Vietnam War Son Tay Raider Association - Vietnam War
Son Tay Raider Association - Vietnam War Learn more
Special Forces Panama - 1962-1999 Special Forces Panama - 1962-1999
Special Forces Panama - 1962-1999 Learn more
Civil Affairs Companies - Vietnam War Civil Affairs Companies - Vietnam War
Civil Affairs Companies - Vietnam War Learn more
Detachment A, Berlin Brigade - Cold War Detachment A, Berlin Brigade - Cold War
Detachment A, Berlin Brigade - Cold War Learn more
US Army Special Operations Support Command - NSC US Army Special Operations Support Command - NSC
US Army Special Operations Support Command - NSC Learn more
410th Special Forces Detachment - Cold War 410th Special Forces Detachment - Cold War
410th Special Forces Detachment - Cold War Learn more
5th Special Forces Group - 1961-Present 5th Special Forces Group - 1961-Present
5th Special Forces Group - 1961-Present Learn more
GHQ Raiders, 1st Raider Company - Korean War GHQ Raiders, 1st Raider Company - Korean War
GHQ Raiders, 1st Raider Company - Korean War Learn more
Task Force VIKING - OIF Task Force VIKING - OIF
Task Force VIKING - OIF Learn more
First Special Service Force - WWII First Special Service Force - WWII
First Special Service Force - WWII Learn more
OSS Operational Groups - WWII OSS Operational Groups - WWII
OSS Operational Groups - WWII Learn more
US Army Civil Affairs - NSC US Army Civil Affairs - NSC
US Army Civil Affairs - NSC Learn more
75th Ranger Regiment Association - NSC 75th Ranger Regiment Association - NSC
75th Ranger Regiment Association - NSC Learn more
OSS Jedburghs - WWII OSS Jedburghs - WWII
OSS Jedburghs - WWII Learn more
Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne) - Korean War Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne) - Korean War
Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne) - Korean War Learn more
75th Ranger Regiment - 1986-Present 75th Ranger Regiment - 1986-Present
75th Ranger Regiment - 1986-Present Learn more
Psychological Operations - NSC Psychological Operations - NSC
Psychological Operations - NSC Learn more
10th Special Forces Group - 1952-Present 10th Special Forces Group - 1952-Present
10th Special Forces Group - 1952-Present Learn more
B-52 Project Delta - Vietnam War B-52 Project Delta - Vietnam War
B-52 Project Delta - Vietnam War Learn more
281st Assault Helicopter Company - Vietnam War 281st Assault Helicopter Company - Vietnam War
281st Assault Helicopter Company - Vietnam War Learn more
 95th Civil Affairs Brigade  95th Civil Affairs Brigade
95th Civil Affairs Brigade Learn more
Special Forces Soldier Statue

Special Forces Soldier Statue

The idea to create a monument honoring the service, sacrifice, and heroism of Special Forces soldiers originated during the height of the Vietnam War. A Special Warfare Committee was formed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In early 1968, a commission to sculpt a statue of a Special Forces soldier was awarded to Donald H. De Lue of Leonardo, New Jersey. Cast in Viareggio, Italy, using golden bronze, the statue was initially located on Ardennes Street across from present-day Kennedy Hall. It was originally dedicated at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Institute for Military Assistance on 26 November 1969. Twenty-five years later, the statue (affectionately known as ‘Bronze Bruce’) was moved to its current location outside of the USASOC Headquarters building, and re-dedicated on 9 December 1994.

Learn more: The Special Forces Soldier

MAJ Richard J. Meadows Statue

MAJ Richard J. Meadows Statue

Designed by Larry Ludkte, the statue honoring Major (MAJ) Richard J. ‘Dick’ Meadows was donated to USASOC in 1997 by H. Ross Perot, a prominent businessman, former presidential candidate, and longstanding SOF supporter. Enlisting in the Army in 1947, Meadows served in the Korean War with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team before joining U.S. Army Special Forces in 1953. In addition to serving with the British Special Air Service, he was a member of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) and received a battlefield commission. Later, Meadows was the BLUE BOY Team Leader sent to rescue American POWs from the Son Tay prison camp in 1970, and he helped to develop new ARSOF capabilities and structure after the Vietnam War. After retirement in 1977, he supported the attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran in 1980. Following his death in 1995, Meadows was posthumously awarded the Presidential Citizen’s Medal for Distinguished Service. MAJ Meadows remains highly regarded for his professionalism and dedication during a remarkable career in Army Special Operations.

Learn more: MAJ Meadows Icon page

Eagle and Stars Display

Eagle and Stars Display

Inside the USASOC headquarters building is the Eagle and Stars Display. Sculpted by world-renowned artist and sculptor Lorenzo Ghiglieri, the Eagle, the symbolic guardian of American freedom, represents heroism and the indomitable spirit of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces. The stars behind the Eagle represent the sacrifice of America’s SOF warriors. Each one represents a SOF soldier who gave his or her life in service to the nation since 1952. The number of stars is equal to the number of soldiers’ names on the USASOC Memorial Wall. Together, the Eagle and Stars symbolize the service and sacrifice necessary to defend the great freedom enjoyed by Americans in the United States.

For our online memorial, visit ARSOF Fallen

MG Robert A. McClure Building

MG Robert A. McClure Building

MG Robert A. McClure
MG Robert A. McClure

Born on 4 March 1897, Major General (MG) Robert A. McClure was commissioned as a Regular Army Infantry Officer in 1917. When the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, McClure was the Assistant Military Attaché in London. The following year, he became Chief of the Information and Censorship Section, Allied Force Headquarters (HQ), supporting Mediterranean Theater operations. In 1944, he assumed command of the Psychological Warfare (Psywar) Division, Supreme HQ, Allied Expeditionary Force (PWD/SHAEF) until the war’s end.

During the Korean War, Brigadier General (BG) McClure, as the Chief of Psywar for the Army, established the Psywar Center at Fort Bragg, NC. He promoted the activation of the 10th Special Forces Group, the first Army unit organized for Unconventional Warfare.

In 1953, McClure became Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Iran. He retired as a Major General in 1956 and passed away on 1 January 1957.

On 19 January 2001, the USASOC HQ building was dedicated in his honor, and in 2010, the ‘Father of U.S. Army Special Warfare’ was inducted into the U.S. Special Operations Command Commando Hall of Honor.

Learn more about MG Robert A. McClure

First Special Service Force Display

First Special Service Force Display

On the first floor of the USASOC headquarters building is a display case honoring the lineage unit of all U.S. Army Special Forces, the combined U.S.-Canadian First Special Service Force (FSSF). Supported by historical context, several FSSF-unique items highlight the rich legacy of this esteemed World War II unit. These include the distinctive V-42 knife (as represented in the USASOC Shoulder Sleeve Insignia), and the actual Congressional Gold Medal awarded to FSSF in 2015.

Learn more about the FSSF

USASOC Interactive Memorial Display

USASOC Interactive
Memorial Display

In May 2017, the Interactive Memorial Display opened inside the lobby of the USASOC head-quarters building. This 41-foot-high, 12-foot-wide, multi-screen memorial exhibit honors the sacrifice of ARSOF’s fallen warriors since 11 September 2001. Complementing the USASOC Memorial Wall and the Eagle and Stars display, this monumental Interactive Memorial Display provides photos and brief biographies of each fallen warrior. The individuals honored in the display exactly match the names in the post-9/11 portions of the USASOC Memorial Wall. However, unlike traditional static memorials, visitors can search this exhibit database by name, date, operation, location, or unit. As of Memorial Day 2021, there are 376 ARSOF warriors featured in the display. These individuals represent all branches, units, and Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) in USASOC, showcasing the versatility, bravery, and sacrifice of ARSOF soldiers.

For our online memorial, visit ARSOF Fallen

Examples of the display's search functionality
Examples of the display's search functionality

Medal of Honor Panels

Ten ARSOF Medal of Honor (MOH) recipients from World War II to the Global War on Terror are honored in the Heritage Auditorium in the USASOC headquarters building. These include the only ARSOF MOH recipient from WWII, 1LT Jack L. Knight, MARS Task Force, who earned the medal for his valorous actions in Burma on 2 February 1945. Each panel contains a photo, and a summary of that soldier’s background and MOH action.

Learn more: ARSOF Medal of Honor

SFC Bennie G. Adkins SFC Bennie G. Adkins
SFC Bennie G. Adkins
MSG Gary L. Gordon MSG Gary L. Gordon
MSG Gary L. Gordon
1LT Jack L. Knight 1LT Jack L. Knight
1LT Jack L. Knight
SSG Robert J. Miller SSG Robert J. Miller
SSG Robert J. Miller
SSG Melvin Morris SSG Melvin Morris
SSG Melvin Morris
SSG Leroy A. Petry SSG Leroy A. Petry
SSG Leroy A. Petry
SSG Robert J. Pruden SSG Robert J. Pruden
SSG Robert J. Pruden
SSG Laszlo Rabel SSG Laszlo Rabel
SSG Laszlo Rabel
SFC Jose Rodela SFC Jose Rodela
SFC Jose Rodela
SFC Randall D. Shughart SFC Randall D. Shughart
SFC Randall D. Shughart

ARSOF Icon Panels

USASOC further honors its leaders and soldiers by highlighting several ‘icons’ throughout the headquarters building. Spanning several decades and multiple conflicts, these individuals built, transformed, and improved ARSOF to make it the most effective, lethal formation in the world today. Each panel contains photos with captions, and a summary of their careers and contributions to ARSOF.

Visit ARSOF Icons

COL Aaron Bank COL Aaron Bank
COL Aaron Bank
COL William O. Darby COL William O. Darby
COL William O. Darby
MG Robert T. Frederick MG Robert T. Frederick
MG Robert T. Frederick
COL Charles H. Karlstad COL Charles H. Karlstad
COL Charles H. Karlstad
MAJ Richard J. 'Dick' Meadows MAJ Richard J. 'Dick' Meadows
MAJ Richard J. 'Dick' Meadows
MG Frank D. Merrill MG Frank D. Merrill
MG Frank D. Merrill
COL James N. 'Nick' Rowe COL James N. 'Nick' Rowe
COL James N. 'Nick' Rowe
BG Russell W. Volckmann BG Russell W. Volckmann
BG Russell W. Volckmann