In the Quebec conference in August 1943 Allied leaders decided to form a US deep penetration unit that would attack Japanese troops in Burma. It was partially modeled on Chindits. A call for volunteers attracted about 2900 men in USA from veterans to stateside units.

Unit was officially designated as 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) with a code name Galahad. However, it earned a nickname of Merrill?s Marauders because it was lead by brigadier general Frank Merrill. Marauders were organized into two combat teams per battalion. They were sent to India to train and were reinforced with Air Corps and Signal Corps personnel.

In February 1944 six combat teams - coded Blue, Green, Khaki, Orange, Red and White - began a 1000-mile march over the Himalayas and through jungle to Burma. 600 men remained in India as the headquarters unit.

In Burma they were outnumbered by the men of the Japanese 18th division but caused heavy casualties. They harassed supply and communication lines and cut off the Japanese rear at Maingkwan. At March they severed Japanese supply lines in Hukawng Valley. In May 17 they helped Chinese troops to capture Myitkina airfield; the town surrendered August 4.

In June 1944 Marauders were given Distinguished Unit Citation. In August 10 1944 Marauders were merged to the US 47th infantry.