Information derived from the U.S. Army Center of Military History, current as of 8 July 2019
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 1st 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 A, 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion (activated 19 June 1942), and consolidated unit redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces
(Organic elements constituted 20 May 1960)
Consolidated 6 June 1960 with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 77th Special Forces Group (constituted 16 September 1953 in the Regular Army and activated 25 September 1953 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina), and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces (organic elements concurrently activated)
(Former Company A, 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion, withdrawn 3 February 1986, consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry, and consolidated unit redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment – hereafter separate lineage)
Group redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment
Campaign Participation Credit
World War II
- Aleutian Islands
- Naples-Foggia
- Anzio
- Rome-Arno
- Southern France (with arrowhead)
- Rhineland
Armed Forces Expeditions
- Panama
War on Terrorism
- Afghanistan: Consolidation I
(Additional campaigns to be determined)
Decorations
Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2011-2012
1st Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered HELMAND PROVINCE 2008-2009
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2012-2013
2nd Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2016
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2009-2010
- Company A, 2d Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered SOUTHEAST AFGHANISTAN AUG 2010-APR 2011
3rd Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1985-1986
- Company A, 3d Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2006
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN AUG 2010-APR 2011
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN SEP 2014-APR 2015
- Company B, 3d Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IRAQ 2007
- Company C, 3d Special Forces Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 1994-1995
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2007-2008
Support Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2004-2005
- Company D, Support Battalion additionally entitled to:
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN FEB-JUL 2016