drive to recover northern Burma and clear the way for the construction of Ledo Road, which was to link the Indian railhead at Ledo with the old Burma Road to China. The Marauders marched and fought through jungle and over mountains from Hukwang Valley in Northwest Burma, to Myitkyina and the Irrawaddy River. In 5 major and 30 minor engagements, they met and defeated the veteran soldiers of the Japanese 18th Division. Operating in the rear of the main force of the Japanese, they prepared the way for the Southward advances of the Chinese by disorganizing supply lines and communications. The climax of the Marauder’s operations was the capture of Myitkyina Airfield, the only all weather strip in northern Burma. This was the final victory of “Merrill’s Marauders,” which disbanded in August 1944. Remaining personnel merged into the 475th Infantry Regiment, which fought its last battle on February 3 and 4, 1945, at Loi Kang Ridge, China. This Infantry Regiment is the father of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Soon after the Korean War started in June 1950, the 8th Army Ranger Company was formed of volunteers from American units in Japan. The Company was trained in Korea and distinguished itself in combat during the drive to the Yalu River, performing task force and spearhead operations. During the massive Chinese intervention of November 1950, this small, vastly outnumbered unit withstood five enemy assaults on its position. In September 1950, a D.A. message called for volunteers to train as Airborne Rangers. Five thousand regular Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division volunteered. Nine hundred were chosen to form the first eight Airborne Ranger companies. Nine more companies were formed from regular Army and National Guard Infantry division volunteers. These seventeen Airborne Ranger companies were activated and trained at Fort Benning, Georgia. Most received more training in the Colorado mountains. In 1950 and 1951, some 700 men of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Airborne Ranger companies fought to the front of every American Infantry Division in Korea. Attacking by land, water, and air, these six Ranger companies raided, penetrated, and ambushed North Korean and Chinese forces. They were the first Rangers to make combat jumps. After the Chinese intervention, these Rangers were the first Americans to re cross the 38th parallel. The 2nd Airborne Ranger Company was the only African American Ranger unit in the history of the American Army. The men of the six Ranger companies who fought in Korea paid the bloody price of freedom. One in nine of this gallant brotherhood died on the battlefields of Korea. Other Airborne Ranger companies led the way while serving with Infantry divisions in the U.S., Germany, and Japan. These volunteers fought as members of line Infantry units in Korea. They volunteered for the Army, the Airborne, the Rangers, and for combat. The first men to earn and wear the coveted Ranger Tab, these men are the original Airborne Rangers. One Ranger, Donn Porter, received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Fourteen Korean War Rangers rose to general officer. Dozens more became colonels, senior NCOs, and civilian leaders. In October 1951, the Army Chief of Staff, General J. Lawton Collins, directed that Ranger training extend to all Army combat units. He directed the Commandant of the Infantry School to establish a Ranger Department. This new department would develop and conduct a Ranger course of instruction. His goal was to raise the standard of training in all combat units. The program built on lessons learned from World War II and the Korean conflict. During the Vietnam Conflict, fourteen Ranger companies consisting of highly motivated volunteers served with distinction from the Mekong Delta to the DMZ. Assigned to separate brigade, division, and field force units, they conducted long range reconnaissance and exploitation operations into enemy held areas. They provided valuable combat intelligence. Initially designated as long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP), then long-range patrol (LRP) companies, these units were later designated as C through P (there is no Juliet Company) Rangers, 75th Infantry. After Vietnam, the Army Chief of Staff, General Abrams, recognized the need for a highly trained and highly mobile reaction force. He activated the first battalion sized Ranger units since World War II, the 1st and 2nd Battalions (Ranger), 75th Infantry. The 1st Battalion trained at Fort Benning, Georgia and was activated February 8, 1974 at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The 2nd Battalion was activated on October 3, 1974. The 1st Battalion is now based at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; the 2nd Battalion is based at Fort Lewis, Washington. General Abrams’ farsighted decision and the combat effectiveness of the Ranger battalions were proven in the U.S. invasion of Grenada, Operation “Urgent Fury,” October 1983. The mission was to protect American citizens and restore democracy. The Ranger battalions “led the way” with a daring, low level airborne assault (from 500 feet) to seize the airfield at Point Salines. They continued operations for several days, eliminating pockets of resistance and rescuing American medical students. Due to this