Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and
Airmen from the United States Air Force 23rd Special Tactics Squadron operators in MultiCam uniforms training in Jordan
Colonel Benjamin Church (1639–1718) from the Plymouth Colony, father of American Ranging and Rangers
Marine Raiders gathered in front of a Japanese dugout on Bougainville.
The United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the United States Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the United States Naval Special Warfare
NCDU 45, CEC Ensign Karnowski, Chief Carpenters Mate Conrad C. Millis, MM2 Equipment Operator Lester Meyers, and three sailors. The unit received a Presidential Unit Citation with ENS Karnowski earning the Navy Cross & French Croix de Guerre with Palm, while MM2 Meyers received a Silver Star.
Carp. W. H. Acheson Silver Star ceremony for UDT 1 action at Engibi where he stripped down to swim trunks and did reconnaissance in broad daylight on a hostile beach becoming a role model of UDTs being swimmers.
Lt. Luehrs was one of the 30 officers from the 7th NCR that staged for UDTs 1 & 2. He and Chief Acheson were the first UDT swimmers. His Corps insignia would have had a Seabee on it.
LT Crist (CEC), LCDR Kauffman, and LT Carberry right–left at the UDT Silver and Bronze Stars award ceremony.