Canada. A First Special Service Forces in Italy Medal Bar and Insignia

A Second War Medal Bar, swing mounted, comprising: 

A 1939-54 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal; all full size and on original ribbons (showing wear and age), medals exhibiting wear and dark patinas, light contact, all near very fine. 

A 1st Special Service Forces patch, in red and white embroidery 36.3 mm (w) x 77.9 mm (h), fraying at edges, notable discoloration, very fine. 

A 1st Special Service Forces Insignia, in brass, two crossed arrows on red felt, two lugs on the reverse, measures 19 mm (w) x 43.7 mm (h), slightly bent, remains very fine. 

The medalbar and insignia are set on a cardstock board with ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY WORLD WAR II set into the textured brown backing, measures 23.5 cm (w) x 28 cm (h), creased, fine. 

Footnote: The 1st Special Service Force was formed during the Second World War as a joint American-Canadian commando unit trained at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. They were a highly trained unit specializing in stealth tactics and usually operating behind enemy lines.

They engaged in assaults in Italy at Anzio and secured bridges before the Allies entered Rome. Afterwards they were deployed to Southern France to help spearhead the invasion force. They were a unique military unit that during the course of the war, never failed to achieve their objective.