The first HOS units were headed by Ante Paradžik, an HSP member who was killed by Croatian police in September 1991.

The HOS units in Bosnia and Herzegovina consisted of Croats, Bosnian Muslims and foreign volunteers led by Blaž Kraljević.

[5] On 9 August 1992, by order of President Franjo Tuđman, who opposed HSP backed Croat-Bosniak cooperation, Kraljević and eight staff members were assassinated by Croatian Defence Council (HVO) soldiers under the command of Mladen Naletilić.

[6] The HOS was disbanded shortly afterwards, with its remaining military assets absorbed by the HVO and the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of the Croat-Bosniak War.

[7] The Croatian Party of Rights was reestablished in Croatia on 26 February 1990, with Dobroslav Paraga president and Ante Paradžik vice-president.

However, not every HSP member supported a military wing, and secretary Krešimir Pavelić left the party in protest.

The HOS used the roman salute and wore black uniforms; its headquarters featured portraits of Ustaše leaders and its units were named after Ustaša generals.

Their outward association with WWII-era fascists prompted worries to the Croatian government who feared their image would damage Croatia's international reputation.

[citation needed] The Croatian Defence Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina had its headquarters in Ljubuški and mostly operated in the southern area of the country.

[19] On 9 August Kraljević was killed in unclear circumstances at a police checkpoint in the village of Kruševo,[7] by HVO soldiers under the command of Mladen Naletilić.

[20] The HOS had a black flag with its emblem in the centre: a circle of triple wattle containing a chequered shield (with white first square) over a four-sided blue-and-white triple-wattle symbol; above, the inscription "HOS"; below, "HSP, Za dom spremni", which was the Ustaše salute during WW2 in the Independent State of Croatia.