III

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 364

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

JUNE 19, 2002

Received and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary

of the founding of the United States Army Special

Forces and honoring the ‘‘Father of the Special Forces’’,

Colonel Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired) of

Mission Viejo, California, for his role in establishing the

Army Special Forces.

Whereas on June 22, 2002, the Special Forces Association

will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment

of the first permanent special forces unit in the United

States Army;

Whereas such unit was created in response to the advocacy

of Colonel Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired),

known as the ‘‘Father of the Special Forces’’;
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HCON 364 RFS

Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank’s service in the Office of Strategic Services and his experience leading resistance fighters against Nazi Germany convinced him of the need for

permanent, elite units in the Armed Forces that would

specialize in small unit and counterinsurgency tactics, intelligence operations, and the training of indigenous soldiers;

Whereas in 1952 the Army created its first special forces

unit, the 10th Special Forces Group, at Fort Bragg,

North Carolina, which would later be known for the distinctive green berets worn by its soldiers;

Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank was assigned as the first commanding officer of the 10th Special Forces Group;

Whereas the success of the United States Army Special

Forces encouraged the incorporation of principles of force

multiplication into the military doctrine of the United

States and paved the way for the revitalization of special

operations forces in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine

Corps;

Whereas these special operations forces have helped revolutionize the conduct of modern warfare;

Whereas special operations soldiers have served with bravery

and distinction in every major military conflict in which

the United States has been involved in the last 50 years

and in innumerable covert operations;

Whereas special operations soldiers are sometimes called

upon to conduct missions so secret that their bravery

cannot be fully recognized;

Whereas special operations soldiers are playing a critical role

in the war against terrorism; and
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Whereas thanks to Colonel Aaron Bank and the thousands of

United States Army Special Forces soldiers who have followed him, the Armed Forces are better prepared to conduct unconventional warfare and to protect the United

States from developing threats: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the historic significance of the

4 50th anniversary of the founding of the United

5 States Army Special Forces;

6 (2) honors the ‘‘Father of the Special Forces’’,

7 Colonel Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired)

8 of Mission Viejo, California, for his role in estab9 lishing the United States Army Special Forces;

10 (3) recognizes the sacrifices and accomplish11 ments of United States Army Special Forces soldiers

12 and of all other special operations soldiers in the

13 Armed Forces;

14 (4) expresses deep gratitude for the continuing

15 sacrifices of United States Army Special Forces sol16 diers and of all other special operations soldiers in

17 the Armed Forces now fighting throughout the

18 world in defense of the freedoms challenged by the

19 heinous events of September 11, 2001; and

20 (5) honors the sacrifices made by United States

21 Army Special Forces soldiers who have trained hard
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1 and acquitted themselves with honor by serving val2 iantly in battle, with many making the ultimate sac3 rifice to their country, many times in missions so se4 cret that their valor may never be fully acknowl5 edged.

Passed the House of Representatives June 18, 2002.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.