Colonel Aaron Bank.... Father of Special Forces

     The name may not be familiar to you but it is
one known to the intelligence community of
the world and one feared by the Germans in 
World War II. Colonel Aaron Bank was an officer of the United States Army and the founder of the Army Special Forces.
He is famous for his exploits as an OSS officer in
World War II. He parachuted into occupied France
in 1943 and recruited, coordinated, and led resistance
fighters against the Nazis. He personally led one 
unsuccessful effort to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
The Colonel was proud to be called the 'Father of the
Green Berets.' He survived World War II and was
instrumental in forming guerrilla warfare units in
the Army. Bank died in Dana Point, California in 2004 
at the age of 101.
    The V-42 Stiletto knife was designed according to
the parameters of Colonel Bank and became a standard
issue item to Green Berets. The stacked leather handle

was designed to be easily handled in cold weather. The
double-edged stiletto was razor sharp and would pass
through tough materials with ease. The grip above the
guard was formed to keep the knife from slipping in
wet weather or when wearing gloves. The pointed end
of the handle made both ends of the stiletto lethal.
   I served with the Special Forces at Phu Bai, South 
Vietnam from January 1965 until March 1967. While the
Marines will swear by their K-Bar knives, I loved the 
feel and handling characteristics of the V-42. I was 
contacted by the company making this reproduction of
the V-42 about a commemorative model with Colonel Bank's
signature on it. Needless to say, I ordered one and it arrived
today.