107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 364
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.
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 364
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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’’;
•HCON 364 EH
Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank’s service in the Office of Stra-
tegic Services and his experience leading resistance fight-
ers 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, in-
telligence operations, and the training of indigenous sol-
diers;
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 dis-
tinctive green berets worn by its soldiers;
Whereas Colonel Aaron Bank was assigned as the first com-
manding 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 revolu-
tionize 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
•HCON 364 EH
Whereas thanks to Colonel Aaron Bank and the thousands of
United States Army Special Forces soldiers who have fol-
lowed him, the Armed Forces are better prepared to con-
duct unconventional warfare and to protect the United
States from developing threats: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress—
(1) recognizes the historic significance of the
50th anniversary of the founding of the United
States Army Special Forces;
(2) honors the ‘‘Father of the Special Forces’’,
Colonel Aaron Bank (United States Army, retired)
of Mission Viejo, California, for his role in estab-
lishing the United States Army Special Forces;
(3) recognizes the sacrifices and accomplish-
ments of United States Army Special Forces soldiers
and of all other special operations soldiers in the
Armed Forces;
(4) expresses deep gratitude for the continuing
sacrifices of United States Army Special Forces sol-
diers and of all other special operations soldiers in
the Armed Forces now fighting throughout the
world in defense of the freedoms challenged by the
heinous events of September 11, 2001; and
(5) honors the sacrifices made by United States
Army Special Forces soldiers who have trained hard