D-DAY - UNITS

2nd Ranger Battalion (Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc)


Leonard T. Gerow

James E. Rudder

Walter E. Block

James W. Eikner

Robert T. Edlin

Sidney A. Salomon
 
On 1 April 1943 the 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, along with the 5th Ranger Battalion. Both battalions were officially activated in September 1943 and shipped to Great Britain where they were prepared for Operation Overlord. They were assigned to V Corps of the U.S. First Army.
On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lt. Colonel James RUDDER, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA and DUKW. The 225 Rangers had set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Several landing craft containing Rangers and supplies capsized in the stormy waters and many Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but others were saved and hoisted into other DUKWs to participate in the attack. The Rangers had planned to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours, however, because of a navigational error, they landed nearly an hour late. This cost the lives of more Rangers as well as the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders, but only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting.
Meanwhile, Able, Baker and Charlie Companies landed along with the 5th Rangers, the 1st Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division at Omaha Beach. They suffered extremely heavy casualties but were able to complete their D-Day objectives.
 
      
 
Commanding Officer: Lt. Colonel James E. Rudder  [view folder]
Executive Officer: Major George S. Williams  [view folder]
S-1 : 1st Lieutenant Frank L. Kennard  [view folder]
S-2: Captain Harvey J. Cook  [view folder]
S-3: Captain Frank H. Coder  [view folder]
S-4: Captain James A. Malaney  [view folder]
Surgeon: Captain Walter E. Block  [view folder]
Sergeant Major: Master Sergeant Robert N. Lemin  [view folder]
  Headquarters Company: Captain James W. Eikner  [view folder]
    Executive Officer: Captain Frederick G. Wilkin  [view folder]
    Communication Officer: 1st Lieutenant James W. Eikner
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Conway E. Epperson  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant William G. Heaney  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant James McCullers  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Elmer H. Vermeer  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant John Erdely  [view folder]
  Company A: Captain Joseph A. Rafferty (KIA 6 June 44)  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert T. Edlin  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Stanley E. White  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Edward L. Sowa (KIA 6 June 44)  [view folder]
  Company B: Captain Edgar L. Arnold  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert M. Brice (KIA 6 June 44)  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert C. Fitzsimmons  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Manning L. Rubenstein  [view folder]
  Company C: Captain Ralph E. Goranson  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant William D. Moody  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Sidney A. Salomon  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Henry S. Golas  [view folder]
  Company D: Captain Harold K. Slater  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Morton L. McBride  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 2nd Lieutenant George F. Kerchner  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Leonard G. Lomell  [view folder]
  Company E: Captain Richard P. Merrill  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Theodore E. Lapres  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Joseph E. Leagans  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Robert W. Lang  [view folder]
  Company F: Captain Otto Masny  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Jacob J. Hill  [view folder]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert C. Arman  [view folder]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Charles E. Frederick  [view folder]