BY ROBERT W. BLACK
Army special operations units were not the only elite outfits in Korea. During the war, 18 Ranger companies were formed, 17 of which were airborne. The 8213th Army Unit (8th Army Ranger Company) was created with volunteers from units in the Far East. It fought in the drive to the Yalu.
Retired Colonel Ben S. Malcom
Airborne Ranger companies, numbered 1 to 8, were the select few that remained of the thousands of volunteers from the 11th and 82nd Airborne divisions.
Companies numbered 9 to 15 and A and B were the pick of the various infantry divisions. These men were four-time volunteers (the Army, the airborne, the Rangers and combat). They were America's original Airborne Rangers--the first men to wear the black and gold Ranger tab. Assigned at Army level, they were attached on the basis of one 112-man Ranger company per infantry division.
Seven Ranger companies fought in Korea: the 1st through 5th and 8th Airborne Rangers and the 8213th A.U. (8th Army Rangers). At a time when United Nations forces numbered more than 500,000, fewer than 700 of these Rangers were fighting to the front of every American Army division engaged in the war.
They participated in the first defeat of Chinese forces; they raided and destroyed a North Korean division headquarters; and they made the first combat jump by Ranger units. In the Eastern sector, they were first across the 38th Parallel on the second drive north. One 33-man Ranger platoon fought a between-the-lines battle with two Chinese reconnaissance companies, and 70 Chinese were killed. The Rangers lost two killed and three wounded, all of whom were brought back to friendly lines.
The Spook pin was made as a humorous gage for the Korean Special Operation personnel. They wore in unofficially under their collars. This pin gained in popularity very quickly. They are very rare. This is an original from the Paul Christensen Collection.
Wherever they went throughout the Army, the Rangers of the Korean War set the standard for excellence. From their example came the desire to spread Ranger leadership throughout the Army and the continuation of the Ranger tradition. These Rangers contributed six campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations to Ranger honors.
The Ranger companies were deactivated in Korea by Aug. 1, 1951, with most members reassigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. Some 137 Rangers were killed in combat in Korea.
Additional Sources:
www.amazon.com
www.meatnpotatoes.com
www.koreanwarmemorial.sd.gov
www.thecitizen.com
www.norbay.com
