The Rangers of Freedom were “Biff” Barkley, “Tex” Russell, and Peter Cabot, three young men recruited by the FBI due to their physical and mental fortitude, “the best specimens of American youth.” They donned patriotically-themed bulletproof costumes, but they had no secret identities. Together, and joined later by Ranger Girl, they fought villainous Nazis and Japanese forces, led by the Super-Brain, and the Black Dragon Society. Though they had no powers, the Rangers were good fighters. In Ranger Comics #5, Barkley, Russell, and Cabot were sent to help a U.S. Rangers unit, trapped after the American base on the Malay peninsula fell to the Japanese invasion. The three Rangers of Freedom traded their costumes for regular ranger uniforms and joined unit led by Captain Morgan. When they were captured by Japanese forces, Barkley and Cabot were used for bayonette practice and died. Russell survived and continued to serve under Captain Morgan. Captain Morgan’s team was referred to as the “Rangers of Freedom” until Rangers Comics #7, when they became known as the U.S. Rangers. The identities of the murdered Rangers of Freedom is a conjecture. None of the Rangers that appeared in Ranger Comics #5 were identified by name; “Tex” Russell is the only one of those whose hair color was anywhere close to that of the surviving Rangers.
Alias Rangers of Freedom
Real Names/Alt Names Percy Cabot, Biff Barkley, and Tex Russell
Description The Rangers of Freedom were “Biff” Barkley, “Tex” Russell, and Peter Cabot, three young men recruited by the FBI due to their physical and mental fortitude, “the best specimens of American youth.” They donned patriotically-themed bulletproof costumes, but they had no secret identities. Together, and joined later by Ranger Girl, they fought villainous Nazis and Japanese forces, led by the Super-Brain, and the Black Dragon Society. Though they had no powers, the Rangers were good fighters. In Ranger Comics #5, Barkley, Russell, and Cabot were sent to help a U.S. Rangers unit, trapped after the American base on the Malay peninsula fell to the Japanese invasion. The three Rangers of Freedom traded their costumes for regular ranger uniforms and joined unit led by Captain Morgan. When they were captured by Japanese forces, Barkley and Cabot were used for bayonette practice and died. Russell survived and continued to serve under Captain Morgan. Captain Morgan’s team was referred to as the “Rangers of Freedom” until Rangers Comics #7, when they became known as the U.S. Rangers. The identities of the murdered Rangers of Freedom is a conjecture. None of the Rangers that appeared in Ranger Comics #5 were identified by name; “Tex” Russell is the only one of those whose hair color was anywhere close to that of the surviving Rangers.
