By Arthur I. Cyr
The raid into Pakistan by U.S. SEAL Team 6, which resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden, provides a striking demonstration of the distinctive importance of unconventional operations in the ongoing struggle against terrorist groups. The roles of Special Forces have been varied; their history is crucial to insight and understanding.
Unconventional operations are as old as warfare, have been significant throughout American history, and began to play an especially important modern role during World War II. In that conflict, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the CIA, was effective in launching daring operations as well as gathering information in Nazi occupied Europe. In the Pacific theater, the exploits of Merrill's Marauders captured the public imagination.
The Army's Special Forces date from the earliest years of the Cold War, though accompanied by considerable irony.
During the 1952 presidential campaign, Republican Party leaders promised to "liberate" Eastern Europe from the occupying Red Army. Given the many voters of East European heritage in the U.S., especially in major urban areas in populated states, this had considerable political appeal.
After Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt's four successive White House election landslides, followed by successor Harry Truman's stunning surprise reelection in 1948, Republicans were truly desperate for victory. This reinforced already growing anti-communist alarm in American domestic politics and very aggressive attitudes in foreign policy.
Apparently, the containment policy regarding the Soviet Union put in place with great effort by the Truman administration was to be abandoned. After the landslide election of the Republican ticket of Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, new Army special operations teams were created, accompanied by increased propaganda.
However, President Eisenhower also quickly locked up Special Forces in favor of the conventional military, while reconfirming containment. The military overall was operationally restricted, and budgets cut.
By careful design, the President and Pentagon remained publicly insulated. In reality, Eisenhower was intensely engaged, obsessed with securing accurate intelligence, ruthless in ensuring success of covert operations in Guatemala, Iran and elsewhere.
In London during the war, Ike had become a master at managing the media as well as temperamental warriors. In the White House, he was constantly concerned about a possible nuclear Pearl Harbor initiated by Moscow, while simultaneously anxious to avoid direct confrontation with the other superpower.
Posture changed markedly with the Kennedy administration. The Army's Green Berets assumed stage center, the Navy SEALs were formed in 1962, and the White House became visibly involved.
President John F. Kennedy had a special affection for the SEALs, reflecting personal experience. Despite serious illnesses that plagued Kennedy throughout his life, in World War II he managed to enlist in the Navy, after the Army turned him down flat on health grounds. He then volunteered for extremely dangerous special patrol boat duty.
JFK demonstrated considerable heroism after his patrol boat PT-109 was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. He led his men to nearby islands, where they were eventually rescued. Kennedy towed one badly burned seaman through heavy current, gripping the ties of the man's life jacket in his teeth. A Navy comrade reflected that various malingerers faked ill health, but that Jack was unique in "faking good health."
In the fluid environment since the Cold War, special operations have evolved but essential elements remain constant. The SEAL Team 6 mission demonstrates the vital importance of accurate intelligence, careful planning ― and daring personalities.
Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen distinguished professor at Carthage College. He is also a columnist for Scripps Howard News Service (www.scrippsnews.com). E-mail him at acyr@carthage.edu.
The raid into Pakistan by U.S. SEAL Team 6, which resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden, provides a striking demonstration of the distinctive importance of unconventional operations in the ongoing struggle against terrorist groups. The roles of Special Forces have been varied; their history is crucial to insight and understanding.
Unconventional operations are as old as warfare, have been significant throughout American history, and began to play an especially important modern role during World War II. In that conflict, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the CIA, was effective in launching daring operations as well as gathering information in Nazi occupied Europe. In the Pacific theater, the exploits of Merrill's Marauders captured the public imagination.
The Army's Special Forces date from the earliest years of the Cold War, though accompanied by considerable irony.
During the 1952 presidential campaign, Republican Party leaders promised to "liberate" Eastern Europe from the occupying Red Army. Given the many voters of East European heritage in the U.S., especially in major urban areas in populated states, this had considerable political appeal.
After Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt's four successive White House election landslides, followed by successor Harry Truman's stunning surprise reelection in 1948, Republicans were truly desperate for victory. This reinforced already growing anti-communist alarm in American domestic politics and very aggressive attitudes in foreign policy.
Apparently, the containment policy regarding the Soviet Union put in place with great effort by the Truman administration was to be abandoned. After the landslide election of the Republican ticket of Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon, new Army special operations teams were created, accompanied by increased propaganda.
However, President Eisenhower also quickly locked up Special Forces in favor of the conventional military, while reconfirming containment. The military overall was operationally restricted, and budgets cut.
By careful design, the President and Pentagon remained publicly insulated. In reality, Eisenhower was intensely engaged, obsessed with securing accurate intelligence, ruthless in ensuring success of covert operations in Guatemala, Iran and elsewhere.
In London during the war, Ike had become a master at managing the media as well as temperamental warriors. In the White House, he was constantly concerned about a possible nuclear Pearl Harbor initiated by Moscow, while simultaneously anxious to avoid direct confrontation with the other superpower.
Posture changed markedly with the Kennedy administration. The Army's Green Berets assumed stage center, the Navy SEALs were formed in 1962, and the White House became visibly involved.
President John F. Kennedy had a special affection for the SEALs, reflecting personal experience. Despite serious illnesses that plagued Kennedy throughout his life, in World War II he managed to enlist in the Navy, after the Army turned him down flat on health grounds. He then volunteered for extremely dangerous special patrol boat duty.
JFK demonstrated considerable heroism after his patrol boat PT-109 was rammed by a Japanese destroyer. He led his men to nearby islands, where they were eventually rescued. Kennedy towed one badly burned seaman through heavy current, gripping the ties of the man's life jacket in his teeth. A Navy comrade reflected that various malingerers faked ill health, but that Jack was unique in "faking good health."
In the fluid environment since the Cold War, special operations have evolved but essential elements remain constant. The SEAL Team 6 mission demonstrates the vital importance of accurate intelligence, careful planning ― and daring personalities.
Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen distinguished professor at Carthage College. He is also a columnist for Scripps Howard News Service (www.scrippsnews.com). E-mail him at acyr@carthage.edu.
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