Black Panther Ranger
The Black Panther Ranger was an elite South Vietnamese unit that was formed during the Vietnam War and was involved in numerous operations and skirmishes. They were the first ARVN - Division subdivided, which became famous for its "Hoc Bao" Black Panther Company.
The Black Panther Rangers were in action from 1960 to 1975 and were particularly brave in the First Battle of Saigon , the Battle of Huế and Operations Dong Xoai, Binh Gia and Lam Son 719 .
They were trained for guerrilla warfare, jungle and urban warfare and, because of their aggressiveness, were feared by the Viet Cong , who avoided confrontations with this elite unit. From a military point of view, the Black Panther Rangers particularly distinguished themselves during the invasion of Cambodia and the Easter offensive .
The Black Panther Rangers were divided into 54 ranger battalions , the 81st ranger group and the border rangers, who were specifically deployed on the border with Laos and Cambodia .
Many Black Panther officers were trained at the US Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Georgia, and often fought alongside local CIDG forces or special forces .
In 1975 almost all ranger units were deliberately destroyed. If their officers could be captured, they received special treatment in the “re-education camps”, mostly torture and execution.
It is reported that not all Black Panther units laid down arms after the surrender and continued to fight in inaccessible areas for a period.