9781422285107

Combat Swimming became a vital task for UDTs and, later, Navy SEALs. World War II also saw the birth of the Army’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS). That unit often worked out ahead of ad- vancing divisions to conduct operations behind enemy lines and support the resistance groups. At the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the UDTs disbanded. Later, military leaders saw the advantage of that kind of creative, brave, and quick-acting team. Other nations formed Special Forces units during and after World War II. Great Britain had the Commandos and the Special Air Service (SAS). The Soviet Union created Spetsnaz. Israel formed Shayetet 13. The SAS in particular became a model for Special Forces around the world. When the Korean War began in 1950, the UDTs were quickly started up again. Larger Army units took the name Special Forces in the 1950s as well. They also earned their unofficial nickname, Green Berets, for their familiar headgear. These Special Forces were a land-based force of sol-

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