World War II
- 1st Special Service Force – "Devil's Brigade", a joint U.S.-Canadian unit
- 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) – "Merrill's Marauders" – "Charles N. Hunter"
- Ranger Battalions
- Alamo Scouts
- Alaskan Scouts
- Marine Raiders
- Marine Parachute Battalions – the "Paramarines"
- United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, "VAC Amphib Recon Company" or "FMFPAC Amphib Recon Battalion"
- United States Marine Corps Scout (Tank) and Sniper Company – originated Scout Snipers and Division Recon
- Naval Scouts and Raiders
- Navy Combat Demolition Units (NCDU)
- US Navy Beach Jumpers
- Underwater Demolitions Teams (UDT) Precursor to the Navy SEALs
- 1st Air Commando Group
- Office of Strategic Services, whose functions included the arming, training and supplying of resistance movements; the use of propaganda, espionage, and subversion; and conducting post-war planning. Precursor to the CIA.
Read more about this topic: List Of Former United States Special Operations Units
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