Revolutionary War
June 14, 1775: "six expert rifleman companies established in Pennsylvania, two companies in Maryland, Two companies in Virginia.
George Washington: "The Corps of Rangers"
Brittish General John Burgyme stated: "... the most famous corps of the continental Army, all of them cracked shots."
Civil War
The most infamous Rangers of this time were commanded by the confederate colonal John S. Mosby. Mosby's forces operated behing Union lines, south of the Potomac river. Starting @ 1862, with a 3-man scout unit, it grew largely into eight companies in 1865. Mosby's forces had the union guard several hundred locations, find the Unions weakist points and attack. It was key for Mosby to persuade the union to guard several hundred locations, for that is lessened the troops in a common, frontal assault. The more men guarding, the less men fighting the front.
World War II
Requested by General Lucian K. Truscott and one Brittish General Staff, Rangers entered the war as "the unit along the line of the Brittish commandos". War department gave the 'ok' to Truscott + Major General RUssell P. Hartle (whom commanded the N.Ireland forces), activation of 1st Army Ranger Battalion. On may 6th 1942, General Lucian K. Truscott picked the name 'ranger' for these soldiers because commandos was Brittish offical name, and 'Rangers' was "more typically American". During the war, before the name was choosen, the soldiers called into action, whom faught along with the Brittish commandos, figured they too were 'commandos'. Acknowledging this, the ranger name had taken affect.
Vietnam
From February 1, 1969 - August 15, 1972 Ranger Battalions were active and in the conflict. This has been the longest sustained combat history for the American 75th Ranger Regiment, out of all 300 years of all there history. 75th Ranger Regiment consisted of only 1 Battalion, of which held 14 companies. Those companies being: C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P These companies conducted missions everyday for three years and seven months in Vietnam.
Ranger training @ this time excepted any volenteers, meaning there was no ASVAB or physical fitness requirement. The training given to the trainees, was live, actual combat missions. These Volenteers were assigned, not accepted to units. The reason they were assigned and not accepted, was because there was a large KIA ration during the war; the army needed people in the Ranger companies. When trainees were assigned to the companies/units the Rangers didnt seem to looking kindly upon the 'newcommers', however after some patroles, combat missions etc... the rangers tended to except the trainees as rangers themselves. Overall Units would train volenteers.
2nd Ranger Battalion was activated in October 1, 1974 (two years after the war) This Battalion established its headquarters @ Hunter Army, Ga. and Fort Lewis. Both were glad to accept these members to there base.
Desert One
When the rangers were first called upon in 1980, they were to be prime 'elements' of the 1st Battalions action in the Iranian hostige rescue attempts. Due to the training, the Rangers were able to preform these missions (close quarter), due to there training and preparation of Special Forces.
The 75th Ranger regiment was compiled of the 1st and 2nd Ranger battalions.
