The US Army's First, Last, and Only All-Black Rangers: The 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) in the Korean War, 1950-1951

The 2nd Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne) was the first and only all-black Ranger unit in the history of the United States Army. The 2nd and 4th Rangers were among the units initially assigned to the Eighth Army and were considered to be 'combat ready.' The 2nd Ranger Company battled North Korean and Communist Chinese Forces. The 2nd Ranger Company conducted the first airborne assault in Ranger history near the town of Munsan-ni and executed the heroic attack and defense of Hill 581. The men demonstrated courage, served with honor, and achieved a magnificent combat record.

Edward Posey's The US Army's First, Last, and Only All-Black Rangers is the first complete history of this elite all-volunteer unit whose members were drawn from the 3rd Battalion of the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion. As a member of the unit, Posey bases his account on firsthand experience, official records, interviews with survivors, and other material to produce a rich and worthy addition to the growing literature on the Korean War. Posey's study explains the obstacles these patriotic men faced, their sacrifices, and their courageous actions.

More than fifty years after the end of the war, the world will learn the true story of the United States Army's first, only, and last all-black Ranger unit.