WASHINGTON (AP) - In 1942, they were lumberjacks, miners, hunters and farmers from the United States and Canada, who came together at a U.S. Army base in Montana.

Within a few months, they were well-trained warriors who went on to become one of the deadliest commando units in World War II. Nicknamed the Devil's Brigade for their fierce tactics and practice of wearing black boot polish on their faces, the unit excelled during nighttime raids that featured mountain climbing, amphibious landings and parachute jumps.

On Tuesday, Congress awarded surviving members of the Devil's Brigade the Congressional Gold Medal, its highest civilian award. A crowd of about 700, including about 40 living members of the brigade, attended the hour-long ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Center.