As the Ranger QRF approached the HLZ, it was engaged with a hail of deadly accurate automatic machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Earlier in the day during Operation Anaconda, Naval Petty Officer Neil Roberts became stranded after a contested helicopter landing zone infiltration on Takur Ghar Mountain. On March 4, 2002, a Ranger Quick Reaction Force departed on a no-notice mission to rescue a fallen U.S. This forced entry operation began eighteen years of continuous combat operations for the 75th Ranger Regiment. On October 19, 2001, the Regimental Headquarters and 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted an airborne assault to seize a desert landing strip south of Kandahar known as Objective Rhino. Just as the Rangers did at Normandy in 1944, Grenada in 1983, and Panama in 1989, the Ranger Regiment spearheaded the initial ground invasion of Afghanistan. In 1973, with the establishment of the 1st Ranger Battalion, the Rangers became their own Special Operations force.ДЄfter the vicious attack against the homeland on September 11, 2001, the 75th Ranger Regiment immediately staged and prepared to вЂњLead the WayвЂќ in what came to be known as, the Global War on Terror. The Vietnam War marked the final major conflict where Ranger designated units were attached to regular infantry divisions. The hill would serve as a radio relay point for the larger attacking force set to assault the valley.ДЄfter sustaining heavy casualties, the LRRP platoons managed to hold the mountaintop for three weeks and helped ensure the success of the operation. In the Battle of Signal Hill, members of LRRP units were tasked with inserting by helicopter onto a mountaintop in the A Shau Valley known as Signal Hill. In January 1969, these units were re-designated as вЂњRangerвЂќ, within the 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger), a predecessor to the modern 75th. These units were small, heavily armed patrols that penetrated deep into enemy territory to capture objectives and disrupt the enemy front.Дuring the conflict, Lurp platoons and companies were eventually attached to every unit. Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP), known as вЂњLurpsвЂќ (right)В were widely used during the Vietnam War. The Rangers captured the hill without losing a single man, inflicting more than 100 casualties on the enemy.Дuring the war, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company earned four campaign streamers, nine Silver Stars and more than 100 purple hearts. Their greatest contribution to the war effort was during the Battle of the Soyang River, where the 2nd Rangers conducted an artillery-supported double envelopment of an enemy terrain position on Hill 581. They successfully surprised and overwhelmed Chinese forces, linked up with friendly forces and spent the next few days mopping up enemy resistance. They are most noted for their actions during Operation Tomahawk and the Battle of the Soyang River.Дuring operation Tomahawk, the Rangers were tasked with dropping behind enemy lines to disrupt supply routes and force a retreat north of Seoul. The company, an airborne trained unit, was primarily used as an advance force to disrupt and push back Chinese attacks to the front. They were the first and only Ranger unit made up entirely by African American Soldiers. Nineteen light infantry Ranger companies were involved in the Korean War, including the legendary 2nd Ranger Infantry Company, known as the 'Buffalo Rangers'. He was posthumously promoted to brigadier general. The first, third and fourth battalions formed the Ranger force, and they began the tradition of wearing the scroll shoulder sleeve insignia, which has been officially adopted into the modern regiment.Дarby was killed in action during the Italy campaign when an artillery shell burst in the middle of a group of assembled officers. Darby led the attack himself and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.Дarby trained the newly activated third and fourth Battalions in Africa, near the end of the Tunisian campaign. The Rangers launched their first assault at Arzew in 1943. These new units were dubbed вЂњDarbyвЂ™s RangersвЂќ. Darby.Дarby, an artillery officer who developed a fascination with the training practices and traditions of British Commandos, was assigned to oversee the creation of the new Ranger units.

It wasnвЂ™t until World War II that the Army activated Ranger infantry battalions, which were overseen by William O. Ranger units saw sparse activity in the period following the Civil War.

The return of the rangers