'The Devil's Brigade'

[AF Doc]

Originally Posted by WCH

Aaron Bank did not agree with your understanding of the foundation. SF was modeled after the OSS.

Sorry, badly worded on my part. Should have said "contributed to the foundations of..." Didn't mean to imply direct causality. I realize that Col Bank came from the OSS. I also understand he did recruit former 1st SSF for the 10th SFG, along with former OSS. I also note that members of the 1st SSF who served over 120 days may be retroactively awarded the Special Forces Tab, per AR 600-8-22.

The 1st SSF, or Devil's Brigade, appears to me to be part of the heritage of US Army Special Forces, and I'm pleased to see the unit honored yesterday.

Originally Posted by AF Doc

Sorry, badly worded on my part. Should have said "contributed to the foundations of..." Didn't mean to imply direct causality. I realize that Col Bank came from the OSS. I also understand he did recruit former 1st SSF for the 10th SFG, along with former OSS. I also note that members of the 1st SSF who served over 120 days may be retroactively awarded the Special Forces Tab, per AR 600-8-22.

The 1st SSF, or Devil's Brigade, appears to me to be part of the heritage of US Army Special Forces, and I'm pleased to see the unit honored yesterday.

It's part of the heritage ASSIGNED to SF by the Institute of Heraldry, nothing more.

In 1960 1st SF was assigned the heritage of the disbanded WWII Ranger Bns, which was later (86) taken away and assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment. Back then. So much for heritage!!! Back in the day, we wore the PUCs awarded to those Ranger units when serving in Group
.

I don't know when 1st SF Rgt was assigned the lineage of the 1st SSF by the TIOH

[Flagg]

Although it's good to see some of the Canadian SOF still wearing the SSF patch, or a derivative of it as part of their lineage.

Very distinctive and visually appealing patch.

I certainly can't opine on the lineage and heraldry of SSF in relation to US Army Special Forces.

But can anyone comment about a connection, if any, between the heraldry of the SSF patch and the US Army Special Forces SSI patch?

I have only found this:

http://www.groups.sfahq.com/sf_heral...ch_heraldy.htm

I always wondered if there is a direct connection or just a passing visual silhouette resemblance.

The most commonly seen "USA Canada" patch has a distinctive and different shape, but I've found this patch with a near identical shape to the US Army Special Forces SSI in red with what looks like a viking ship on it I've never seen before:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...patches/page-2

My interest is in conducting my research on a patch design for a programme I'm involved with down here, where we are going to use a custom designed spearhead(arero) of a Maori spear(taiaha), along the lines of this:

http://www.ahua-nzmaoriart.com/media...i/ci3339_1.jpg

OBVIOUSLY, giving credit for inspiration/concept to SSF and US Army SF but with local relevancy/content.

[Richard]

I was browsing the pics of those veterans who attended the ceremony and disappointed they didn't identify all the participants for future reference. However, I found this one I recognized of Henley P. Woods (an NCO in 1-3). Mr Woods was the Chairman of the Airborne Memorial Walk Committee when we (1-507th) were engaged with the Airborne Historical Association in designing, funding, and creating the monument on Eubanks Field where BAC gradualtions normally now take place.

He was a great guy to know and to work with, and I'm glad to see him able to participate in this ceremony.

Congratulations to the 'Forcemen' for this award and its recognition of your valorous contributions to History!

Richard