Colchester in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

First Special Service Force

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2024

1. First Special Service Force Marker

Inscription. The First Special Service Force was formed in July 1942 as the only joint U.S.-Canadian unit in World War II. Many Vermonters volunteered to serve. Led by U.S. Army Col. Robert T. Frederick, the Force trained rigorously in Montana, Virginia, and at Fort Ethan Allen (in May-October 1943).

Known as the Black Devils, the Force distinguished itself during the Italian Campaign at Monte la Difensa and Anzio. It was the first unit to enter Rome on June 4, 1944. The unit deployed to southern France and disbanded in December 1944. It earned considerable honors from four nations for accomplishments during the war, including a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. The Force is a predecessor to the modern special operations forces in service today.

Erected 2023 by Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1942.

Location. 44° 30.306′ N, 73° 8.836′ W. Marker is in Colchester, Vermont, in Chittenden County. It is on Dalton Drive south of King Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Fort Ethan Allen Park.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 543 Dalton Dr, Colchester VT 05446, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Buffalo Soldiers At Fort Ethan Allen (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Ethan Allen (approx. ¼ mile away); Hood's Crossing / Frank Niquette Development (approx. 1.8 miles away); There's Only One Essex Junction (approx. 2 miles away); Native Americans and Winooski (approx. 2.1 miles away); Fort Frederick (approx. 2.2 miles away); Burial Place of General Ethan Allen (approx. 2½ miles away); Centennial Field (approx. 2.6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. First Special Service Force Association. The association's website include rosters and photograph of members of the unit, which received a Congressional Gold Medal (as a unit) in 2015. (Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Devil’s Brigade: The First Special Service Force. Once training was complete, the unit saw action. First, they traveled to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska in July 1943 to combat any threat of Japanese forces. Following that, the First Special Service Force

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2024

2. First Special Service Force Marker

It was placed in Fort Ethan Allen Park, where the unit trained at the former military facility.

embarked to Italy in November 1943 where they would spend the bulk of their time during the war. The unit used their training in mountainous warfare, as well as their hand-to-hand combat skills, to repel Nazi forces. (Sarah Bseirani, "The Unwritten Record" blog, National Archives; May 29, 2024) (Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. First Special Service Force. While the origins of U.S. Army Special Forces date back to the French and Indian War and the formation of Rogers’ Rangers, the modern concepts of unconventional warfare were largely developed in World War II with the formation of several specially trained units. One of the these early Special Forces units was the First Special Service Force, also known as the “Devil’s Brigade.” (The Army Historical Foundation) (Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

First Special Service Force in Action image. Click for full size.

via National Archives and Records Administration (Public Domain), April 14, 1944

3. First Special Service Force in Action

Members of the unit skirt mines along the barbed-wire fence in approaching German soldiers in a farmhouse near Anzio, Italy.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.