Mark Radcliffe and Joe Glass
Mark Radcliffe, 94, and Joe Glass, 92, were the last surviving members of the First Special Service Force, or FSSF, a legendary commando unit consisting of American and Canadian soldiers that captured more than 27,000 enemy prisoners during World War II. Both men were selected in 1942 for the Plough Project, described as a "suicide mission," and underwent training at Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana. The accomplishments of the FSSF -- nicknamed by the Germans as the "Black Devils" -- later became inspiration for the movie "The Devil's Brigade”. Radcliffe, born in Farmington, N.M., and Glass, originally from Samia, Ontario, both returned to Helena after the war. Glass returned with a 50% disability after being injured by mortar shrapnel in his arm and chest but worked various odd jobs for most of his life. Radcliffe remained in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Full Colonel. These inspirational men died 12 hours apart from each other on the same day, Sunday, April 1st, 2012.