Photo By Staff Sgt. Luis Solorio | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Iztvan Mezei and Canadian Army Master Cpl. Evan Coopman, assigned to the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, pose for a photo while holding their Maj.Gen. Robert T. Frederick Awards. The awards were presented during the 79th anniversary gathering of the First Special Service Force Association, commemorating the legacy and shared heritage of the joint U.S.-Canadian World War II unit. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Luis Solorio) see less
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U.S., Canadian Special Forces Soldiers receive 2026 Frederick Award
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Command Sgt. Maj. Istvan Mezei, former senior enlisted leader of 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), receives the 2026 Frederick Award as the U.S. Army Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the First Special Service Force Association in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 22, 2026.
The association celebrated its 79th anniversary from Aug. 19 to 22. The annual reunion honors the legacy of the FSSF, a joint U.S.-Canadian unit formed during World War II to conduct specialized combat missions behind enemy lines. The association continues to preserve the history and traditions of the “Devil’s Brigade”, known as the “Black Devils”, while recognizing the service and sacrifices of those who came before and the Special Forces Soldiers who carry that legacy forward today.
“It's my understanding that the ‘Black Devils’ nickname came from a journal or diary that was found belonging to a German soldier. It said, ‘These devils in baggy pants come at night’. They will paint their faces black and go into the enemy camps and leave their calling cards,’” said Jennifer Magee, Canadian military liaison and host of the 2026 FSSF Association reunion. “The big thing about the Devil’s Brigade was that they were skilled in hand-to-hand combat. They also did night missions, and a lot of their warfare was psychological warfare.”
During the anniversary, the association recognized U.S. and Canadian Special Forces members who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership and commitment to their organizations. The Frederick Award, named in honor of Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick, the first commander of the FSSF, recognizes excellence among Soldiers who carry forward the unit’s legacy and traditions.
“I think he would be very proud that his legacy is remembered and carried on through the bravery of today’s special forces in both Canada and the U.S.,” said Jennifer Parra, a member of the FSSF Association and great-grandniece of Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick.
For the U.S. side, the awardee was Command Sgt. Maj. Mezei, recognized for his leadership and efforts to improve the readiness and effectiveness of 4th Battalion, 10th SFG (A). During his time with Group, he helped reorganize the battalion while maintaining combat readiness, deploying 18 combat-ready elements across two theaters and establishing systems to better track personnel changes and expiring certifications. These efforts helped the battalion maintain a 96–98% readiness rate, the highest in 10th SFG (A). Mezei also helped modernize the battalion’s unmanned aircraft capabilities and guided the development of new courses to improve Soldiers’ ability to employ and operate drones.
“This award reflects the Soldiers and leaders who put in the time and effort every day to make the organization better,” Mezei said.
The award was presented by Capt. Joseph Skryp of the Canadian Special Forces Regiment.
From the Canadian side, Master Cpl. Evan Coopman of the Canadian Special Forces Regiment received the award for his professionalism, commitment and leadership. Coopman completed the Canadian Special Forces selection process and qualification course in 2019 before joining his current unit, where he has served for the past seven years. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of roles, gaining experience and contributing to the effectiveness of his unit while continuing to develop as a leader.
The award was presented by U.S. Army Col. Nathanael Joslyn, commander of 10th SFG (A).
The anniversary also brought together descendants of veterans of the FSSF, continuing a tradition of honoring the contributions and sacrifices of the unit’s Soldiers during World War II. Their reunions help preserve the stories of the men who served, strengthen the connection between generations, and ensure the legacy of the FSSF remains part of the Special Forces community.
“The force was disbanded, but the seeds that were sown were carried into different groups, creating the myth of these ‘brothers’ who fought like no other unit—men who never missed an objective and went on to fight in different countries,” said Gianni Blasi, a historian and tour organizer in Italy who leads tours of sites where the Black Devils fought during World War II. “What these men accomplished was extraordinary. I think men who are trained in such a way can do far more than we expect from special forces.”
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