Update to this story.
They trained at Fort Harrison in Helena more than 70 years ago — and became legends. Now the remaining members of the First Special Service Force have reunited in Helena to share memories and honor their fallen comrades.
The group consisted of American and Canadian soldiers who were commissioned to act as a top-secret military entity during World War II.
The first-of-its-kind force, sometimes referred to as the Black Devils, trained at Fort Harrison and combined high alpine combat, amphibious landings, sky-diving, demolitions and other unconventional tactics in carrying out its missions.
The top-secret combat unit of 1,800 volunteers was made up of unique individuals, including blue collar workers, lumberjacks, forest rangers, hunters, game wardens and others. The special force figured prominently in “Operation Avalanche,” the Allied campaign to liberate Italy.