| Eighth Army Ranger Company | |
|---|---|
 Eighth United States Army shoulder sleeve insignia, which the Eighth Army Ranger Company wore as its own insignia | |
| Active | 24 August 1950 – 28 March 1951 |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Allegiance | United States Army |
| Branch | Active duty |
| Type | Ranger light infantry |
| Role | Irregular warfare |
| Size | Company |
| Part of | Eighth United States Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Pusan, South Korea |
| Engagements | Korean War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Ralph Puckett John P. Vann Charles G. Ross |
The Eighth Army Ranger Company, also known as the 8213th Army Unit, was a Ranger light infantry company of the United States Army that was active during the Korean War. As a small special forces unit, it specialized in irregular warfare. Intended to combat the North Korean (NK) commandos who had been effective at infiltration and disruption behind United Nations (UN) lines, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was formed at the height of the Battle of Pusan Perimeter in September 1950 and was the first U.S. Army Ranger unit created since World War II. The company went into action as a part of the 25th Infantry Division during the UN advance into North Korea in October and November. It was best known for its defense of Hill 205 against an overwhelming Chinese attack during the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River which resulted 41 of the 51 Rangers becoming casualties.
The company later undertook a number of other combat missions during late 1950 and early 1951, conducting infiltration, reconnaissance and raiding. It scouted Chinese positions during Operation Killer and struck behind Chinese lines during Operation Ripper before being deactivated at the end of March 1951. The company saw 164 days of continuous combat and was awarded a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Military historians have since studied the economy of force of the company's organization and utilization. Although the experimental unit led to the creation of 15 more Ranger companies, historians disagree on whether the unit was employed properly as a special forces unit and whether it was adequately equipped for the missions it was designed to conduct.