First Special Service Force

The 1st Special Service Force was an elite joint American–Canadian commando unit in World War II created and formed by Major Robert T. Frederick of the Operations Division of the U.S. General Staff. During the Italian campaign of WWII it was commanded by Frederick and attached to the United States Fifth Army. The Force was later attached to 1st Airborne Task Force which was commanded by then Major General Frederick in August 1944 for the campaign in southern France.

Not to be confused with 1st Special Service Brigade.
"Devil's Brigade" and "The Black Devils" redirect here. For other uses, see Devil's Brigade (disambiguation) and Black Devil (disambiguation).

1st Special Service Force
1st Special Service Force shoulder patch
Active9 July 1942 – 5 December 1944
Country
  • Canada
  • United States
AllegianceAllies (United Nations)
BranchArmy
TypeCommando
RoleSpecial operations
Size1,800
Garrison/HQFort William Henry Harrison
Nickname(s)The Devil's Brigade, The Black Devils
EquipmentSee: Training and Equipment
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Robert T. Frederick

The unit was organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana, in the United States. The Force served in the Aleutian Islands, and fought in Italy and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944.

The modern American and Canadian special operations forces trace their heritage to this unit. In 2013, the United States Congress passed a bill to award the 1st Special Service Force the Congressional Gold Medal.

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