IV 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 95 

Recognizing the historic significance of the 70th 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. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 9, 2022 

Mr. HUDSON (for himself, Mr. WALTZ, Mr. PETERS, Mr. CARTER of Texas, 

Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, and Ms. CASTOR of Florida) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Armed Services 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historic significance of the 70th 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 19, 2022, the Special Forces Association 

will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment 

of the first permanent special forces unit in the United 

States Army; 


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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’’; 

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 70 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; 


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Whereas special operations soldiers are playing a critical role 

in the war against terrorism; and 

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 70th 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; and 

19 (5) honors the sacrifices made by United States 

20 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. 

Æ 


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