Near Dutton in Teton County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

First Special Service Force

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022

1. First Special Service Force Marker

Inscription. U.S. I-15 Highway from Helena to Sweetgrass is dedicated as a memorial highway to the this elite WWII unit which was formed in 1942 at the direction of President Roosevelt and General George Marshall U.S. Army Chief of Staff and British leaders Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten. Their mission: parachute into occupied enemy territory and destroy vital Axis installations.

The "force" required a top notch area for special training in mountaineering, skiing, parachuting, demolitions, and weapons. Fort William H. Harrison, west of Helena, Montana, was ideal. Here rugged volunteers from the United States and Canadian Armies came together to train. This unique U.S.-Canadian unit selected the crossed arrows of the frontier Army Indian Scouts as their branch insignia and a red spearhead for their shoulder patch.

Combat casualties were high but the force never failed a mission. Named "The Black Devils" by the Germans, their ferocious nighttime fighting ability was legendary! The legacy of the first special force proudly lives one today in Special Forces of both countries.

Topics. This memorial is

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listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 47° 55.486′ N, 111° 44.107′ W. Memorial is near Dutton, Montana, in Teton County. It can be reached from Interstate 15, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the Teton River Rest Area. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Dutton MT 59433, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Western Montana

and in Russell Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In the Event of an Attack (here, next to this marker); The Whoop Up Trail (here, next to this marker).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2022

2. First Special Service Force Marker

The marker is on the building wall.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2024, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.