Ranger Infantry Company of the Korean War

Ranger Hall of Fame

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN CHURCH

Benjamin Church is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for outstanding service to Colonial America and to the New England Armed Forces as a Ranger-type leader. Church commanded an independent Ranger company during King Philip's War (1675-1678) on the New England frontier where they conducted highly successful combat operations against hostile Indians. Church's men were the first Rangers successful in raiding the Indians' hiding places in forests and swamps. During previous decades, American Rangers were on the defense against the Indians. Church's rapport with Indians was a major factor in his success. He persuaded many hostile Indians to surrender and join his unit where they operated skillfully as Rangers. During the summer of 1676, Church patrolled the Plymouth countryside and made contact with hostile Indians. The Rangers followed them into the forests and swamps and conducted effective raids and ambushes on their camps. The war soon ended after a company operation on August 12, 1676, when one of Church's Indian Rangers killed Philip, a key leader of hostile Indians. Over the next 28 years, Church led five New England raiding parties into Maine and Canada against the French and Indians. Church kept notes on his tactics and operations which were eventually published in 1716. His tactics and methods are used by Rangers to this day.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!