Designated as the 1st Special Service Force, the Devil's Brigade was a joint World War II American-Canadian commando unit trained at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana in the United States.

The Brigade was reactivated in July 1958 and in 1964, it rejoined the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. It was redesignated as the 1st Brigade ("Devil Brigade") of the Big Red One. The 1st brigade deployed Vietnam in 1965, fighting with great distinction and honors in ten campaigns encompassing 24 battles. The Brigade returned to Fort Riley in 1970.

In 1990, it deployed with the Big Red One to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Leading the breach of Iraqi defenses on 24 February 1991, the Brigade actively fought and destroyed the enemy in the three campaigns involving the Defense of Saudi Arabia and the Liberation of Kuwait. In recognition of their contributions, each of the Brigade's battalions received the Valorous Unit Citation.

In 2001, Canadian JTF2 members and American Delta Force members were united once again into a special assignment force for the invasion of Afghanistan, just as they were together in WWII.

At Ft. Riley today, the Brigade prepares for future operations with its parent division, now headquartered in Wuerzburg, Germany. The Brigade's presence at Fort Riley continues the long-standing relationship of the Big Red One to Fort Riley.

Many modern American and Canadian Special Forces units trace their heritage to this unit. This force evolved into specialized forces such as the Green Berets, Delta Force, and the Navy SEALs. In Canada, today's elite and highly secretive JTF2 military unit is also modeled on the Devil's Brigade.

The welding helmet I painted was for a friend who served with The Brigade in the Gulf War.