The 5th Special Forces Group is a United States Army Special Forces unit that was activated on September 21, 1961 during the Cold War. Constituted July 5, 1942 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Battalion, Third Regiment, 1st Special Service Force, a combined Canadian-American organization. It was activated four days later on July 9 at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana. During World War II, 5th Group was disbanded on January 6, 1945 in France. 5th Group was reconstituted on April 15, 1960, concurrently consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion (activated September 1, 1943). The consolidated unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. Organic elements were constituted on September 8, 1961. 5th Group was reactivated September 21, 1961 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On October 1, 2005, the unit was redesignated as the 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment.
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