Nomads of the Battlefield: Ranger Companies in the Korean War, 1950-1951

The author analyzes the creation and use of the U.S. Army Ranger Companies during the Korean conflict from October of 1950 to August of 1951. Army Chief of Staff, General J. Lawton Collins ordered the creation of Ranger Companies for the Korean conflict. He intended to create "Marauder" units to operate behind enemy lines, attacking their tank parks and assembly areas. This mission was developed as a response to the enemy's assault infiltration tactics launched against American rear areas during the early Part of the Korean conflict. The author looks at the organization and methods of employment of the Ranger companies to determine just how effective the units were and what impact they had during the conflict.