Korean War Ranger Companies
Encyclopedia
The Korean War Ranger Companies were the United States Army Rangers
of the Korean War
.
, a unique Ranger unit was formed. Headed by Second Lieutenant
Ralph Puckett
, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was created in August 1950. It would serve as the role model for the rest of the Ranger units to be formed. Instead of being organized into self-contained battalions, the Ranger units of the Korean and Vietnam eras would be organized into companies and then attached to larger units, to serve as organic special operations
units.
In addition to the special skills and techniques used by their fore bearers, the Ranger Infantry Companies added airborne
assault to their repertoire. All Rangers within the companies were airborne qualified.
In total, sixteen additional Ranger companies were formed in the next seven months: Eighth Army Raider Company and First through Fifteenth Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne). The Army Chief of Staff assigned the Ranger training program
at Fort Benning
to Colonel John Gibson Van Houten. The program would eventually be split to include a training program located in Korea. 3rd and 7th Ranger companies were tasked to train new Rangers.
The 28 of October 1950 would see the next four Ranger companies formed. Soldiers from the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne's 80th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion volunteered and, after initially being designated the 4th Ranger Company, became the 2nd Ranger Company — the only all-black Ranger unit in United States history. After the four companies had begun their training, they were joined by the 5th-8th Ranger companies on 20 November 1950.
During the course of the war, the Rangers patrolled and probed, scouted and destroyed, attacked and ambushed the Communist Chinese and Korean enemy. The 1st Rangers destroyed the 12th North Korean Division headquarters in a daring night raid. The 2nd and 4th Rangers made a combat airborne assault near Munsan
where Life Magazine reported that Allied troops were now patrolling north of the 38th Parallel. Crucially, the 2nd Rangers plugged the gap made by the retreating Allied forces, the 5th Rangers helped stop the Chinese 5th Phase Offensive. To provide manning slots for newly-activated Special Forces units, all Ranger companies were inactivated in 1951, beginning with the Eighth Army Ranger Company on 28 March and ending with 6th Ranger Company on 1 December. http://www.johndlock.com/tfwi-9.html
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
History
At the outbreak of war in KoreaKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, a unique Ranger unit was formed. Headed by Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
Ralph Puckett
Ralph Puckett
Ralph Puckett Jr. led the 8th Army Ranger Company during the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on November 25, 1950, when his company of 51 Rangers was attacked by several hundred Chinese forces at the battle for Hill 205. He retired from the United...
, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was created in August 1950. It would serve as the role model for the rest of the Ranger units to be formed. Instead of being organized into self-contained battalions, the Ranger units of the Korean and Vietnam eras would be organized into companies and then attached to larger units, to serve as organic special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
units.
In addition to the special skills and techniques used by their fore bearers, the Ranger Infantry Companies added airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
assault to their repertoire. All Rangers within the companies were airborne qualified.
In total, sixteen additional Ranger companies were formed in the next seven months: Eighth Army Raider Company and First through Fifteenth Ranger Infantry Companies (Airborne). The Army Chief of Staff assigned the Ranger training program
Ranger School
The United States Army Ranger School is an intense 61-day combat leadership course oriented towards small-unit tactics. It has been called the "toughest combat course in the world" and "is the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer". The course is conducted...
at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
to Colonel John Gibson Van Houten. The program would eventually be split to include a training program located in Korea. 3rd and 7th Ranger companies were tasked to train new Rangers.
The 28 of October 1950 would see the next four Ranger companies formed. Soldiers from the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 82nd Airborne's 80th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion volunteered and, after initially being designated the 4th Ranger Company, became the 2nd Ranger Company — the only all-black Ranger unit in United States history. After the four companies had begun their training, they were joined by the 5th-8th Ranger companies on 20 November 1950.
During the course of the war, the Rangers patrolled and probed, scouted and destroyed, attacked and ambushed the Communist Chinese and Korean enemy. The 1st Rangers destroyed the 12th North Korean Division headquarters in a daring night raid. The 2nd and 4th Rangers made a combat airborne assault near Munsan
Munsan
Munsan is an eup in Paju City, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It lies along the edge of the Demilitarized Zone, near Panmunjom and the Joint Security Area. Munsan lies along the south bank of the Imjin River. At the time of the Korean War it was known as Munsan-ni.Munsan has a heavy military presence...
where Life Magazine reported that Allied troops were now patrolling north of the 38th Parallel. Crucially, the 2nd Rangers plugged the gap made by the retreating Allied forces, the 5th Rangers helped stop the Chinese 5th Phase Offensive. To provide manning slots for newly-activated Special Forces units, all Ranger companies were inactivated in 1951, beginning with the Eighth Army Ranger Company on 28 March and ending with 6th Ranger Company on 1 December. http://www.johndlock.com/tfwi-9.html
Organization
| Company | Unit Attached | Date Activated | Date Inactivated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eighth Army Ranger Company (8213 AU) | 25th Infantry Division / IX US Army Corps | ||
| GHQ Raider Company (8227 AU) / X Corps Raider Company (8245 AU) | Special Activities Group / X US Army Corps | July 5, 1950 | April, 1951 |
| 1st Ranger Company | 2nd Infantry Division | ||
| 2nd Ranger Company | 7th Infantry Division / 187th ABN. RCT Regimental combat team A regimental combat team was a provisional major infantry unit of the United States Army during the World War II and the Korean War, and of the U.S. Marine Corps to the present day... |
||
| 3rd Ranger Company | Ranger Training Command Ranger School The United States Army Ranger School is an intense 61-day combat leadership course oriented towards small-unit tactics. It has been called the "toughest combat course in the world" and "is the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer". The course is conducted... / 3rd Infantry Division / I US Army Corps |
||
| 4th Ranger Company | 1st Cavalry Division / 187th ABN. RCT Regimental combat team A regimental combat team was a provisional major infantry unit of the United States Army during the World War II and the Korean War, and of the U.S. Marine Corps to the present day... / 1st Marine Division |
||
| 5th Ranger Company | 25th Infantry Division / I US Army Corps | ||
| 6th Ranger Company | Seventh US Army | ||
| 7th Ranger Company | Ranger Training Command Ranger School The United States Army Ranger School is an intense 61-day combat leadership course oriented towards small-unit tactics. It has been called the "toughest combat course in the world" and "is the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer". The course is conducted... |
||
| 8th Ranger Company | 24th Infantry Division / IX US Army Corps | ||
| 10th Ranger Company | 45th Infantry Division | ||
| 11th Ranger Company | 40th Infantry Division | ||
| 12th Ranger Company | Fifth US Army | ||
| 13th Ranger Company | Second US Army | ||
| 14th Ranger Company | 4th Infantry Division | ||
| 15th Ranger Company | Third US Army |