12th Special Forces Group (Airborne) | |
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Active | 15 April 1960 – 15 September 1995 |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | U.S. Army 1960–1969 U.S. Army Reserve 1969–1995 |
Type | Special forces |
Role | Primary tasks:
Other roles:
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Part of | 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) |
Nickname(s) | Green Berets, Quiet Professionals,[1] Soldier-Diplomats, Snake Eaters |
Motto(s) | De oppresso liber (U.S. Army's translation: "To Liberate the Oppressed") |
Engagements | Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Gulf War |
Insignia | |
Former 12th Special Forces Group recognition bar, worn by non-special operations qualified soldiers—in lieu of a beret flash—from the 1960s to 1984[2] | |
1st Special Forces Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, worn by all special forces units of the era |
U.S. Special Forces Groups | ||||
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The 12th Special Forces Group (Airborne) [12th SFG(A)] traces its lineage from the 6th Company, 2nd Battalion, First Regiment, 1st Special Service Force, a joint Canadian-American special operations unit from World War II. The 12th Special Forces Group was reconstituted, but not activated, as a Regular Army special operations unit under the 1st Special Forces in 1960 and was subsequently allotted to the Army Reserve in 1969 where it remained until deactivation in 1995.