Information derived from the U.S. Army Center of Military History, current as of 19 July 2021
DUI Symbolism
The insignia is the crossed arrow collar insignia (insignia of branch) of the First Special Force, World War II combined with the fighting knife which is of a distinctive shape and pattern only issued to the First Special Service Force. The motto is translated as “From Oppression We Will Liberate Them.”
DUI Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 8 July 1960. The insignia of the 1st Special Forces was authorized to be worn by personnel of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its subordinate units on 7 March 1991. The wear of the insignia by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its subordinate units was cancelled and it was authorized to be worn by personnel of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and their subordinate units not authorized a distinctive unit insignia in their own right and amended to change the symbolism on 27 October 2016.
Constituted 5 July 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 2d Company, 1st Battalion, First Regiment, 1st Special Service Force, a combined Canadian-American organization
Activated 9 July 1942 at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana
Disbanded 6 January 1945 in France
Reconstituted 15 April 1960 in the Regular Army; concurrently consolidated with Company B, 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion (activated 19 June 1942), and consolidated unit redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces
Consolidated 30 September 1960 with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Forces Group (constituted 14 June 1957 in the Regular Army and activated 24 June 1957 in Japan), and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces (organic units concurrently constituted and activated 4 October 1960)
Group inactivated 30 June 1974 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Activated 1 September 1984 at Fort Lewis, Washington
(Former Company B, 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion, withdrawn 3 February 1986, consolidated with Company N, 75th Infantry, and consolidated unit redesignated as Company N, 75th Ranger Regiment – hereafter separate lineage)
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 1st Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment
Campaign Participation Credit
World War II
- World War II
- Aleutian Islands
- Naples-Foggia
- Anzio
- Rome-Arno
- Southern France (with arrowhead)
- Rhineland
War on Terrorism
(Additional campaigns to be determined)
- 1st Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Global War on Terrorism
- 2nd Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Afghanistan: Consolidation I
Decorations
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered PACIFIC AREA 1972-1973
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered ASIA 2002
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 2014-2015
Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2013
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered JULY-AUGUST 1972
1st Special Forces Battalion elements entitled to:
- Company A, 1st Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered EASTERN AFGHANISTAN FEB-SEP 2012
- Company C, 1st Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IRAQ 2007
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CENTRAL IRAQ 2008-2009
2nd Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2013-2014
- Company A, 2d Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ JUL 2009-JAN 2010
- Company B, 2d Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Streamer embroidered HELMAND RIVER VALLEY 2010
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN MAY-NOV 2013
- Company C, 2d Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IRAQ 2007
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2017
3rd Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2011-2012
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered WAR ON TERRORISM 2011-2012
- Company A, 3d Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN JUL-DEC 2016
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN JUN-AUG 2010
- Company B, 3d Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN AUG 2010-APR 2011
4th Special Forces Battalion entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2011-2012
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2016-2018
Support Battalion elements entitled to:
- Company A, Support Battalion entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN MAY 2011-FEB 2012