The Special Force wing was designed in 1944 during WWII by British Captain V. A. Gough for use by British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) personnel assigned to the London-based Special Force Headquarters (SFHQ). SFHQ oversaw operations in the European Theater of Operations, primarily France and Scandinavia, from 1944 to 1945. The SF wing was best known for wear by the JEDBURGHs, a combined British, American, French, and Dutch unit, but was also adopted by other SFHQ elements including the French and Norwegian Operational Groups, Special Force Detachments, and Inter-Allied Missions.
The insignia itself was never officially approved or sanctioned for anything other than local wear in theater. The OSS specifically told its members in Order #71 dated 28 October 1944 to remove the insignia from their uniforms when they departed the European Theater, meaning it was not worn in other locations. However, the SF wing has since been adopted as an unofficial emblem by U.S. Army Special Forces Groups and by 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group.