JOUR-J - UNITES

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  [voir le dossier]
Executive Officer: Major George S. Williams  [voir le dossier]
S-1 : 1st Lieutenant Frank L. Kennard  [voir le dossier]
S-2: Captain Harvey J. Cook  [voir le dossier]
S-3: Captain Frank H. Coder  [voir le dossier]
S-4: Captain James A. Malaney  [voir le dossier]
Surgeon: Captain Walter E. Block  [voir le dossier]
Sergeant Major: Master Sergeant Robert N. Lemin  [voir le dossier]
  Headquarters Company: Captain James W. Eikner  [voir le dossier]
    Executive Officer: Captain Frederick G. Wilkin  [voir le dossier]
    Communication Officer: 1st Lieutenant James W. Eikner
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Conway E. Epperson  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant William G. Heaney  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant James McCullers  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Elmer H. Vermeer  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant John Erdely  [voir le dossier]
  Company A: Captain Joseph A. Rafferty (KIA 6 June 44)  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert T. Edlin  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Stanley E. White  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Edward L. Sowa (KIA 6 June 44)  [voir le dossier]
  Company B: Captain Edgar L. Arnold  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert M. Brice (KIA 6 June 44)  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert C. Fitzsimmons  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Manning L. Rubenstein  [voir le dossier]
  Company C: Captain Ralph E. Goranson  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant William D. Moody  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Sidney A. Salomon  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Henry S. Golas  [voir le dossier]
  Company D: Captain Harold K. Slater  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Morton L. McBride  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 2nd Lieutenant George F. Kerchner  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Leonard G. Lomell  [voir le dossier]
  Company E: Captain Richard P. Merrill  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Theodore E. Lapres  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Joseph E. Leagans  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Robert W. Lang  [voir le dossier]
  Company F: Captain Otto Masny  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Jacob J. Hill  [voir le dossier]
    Platoon Leader: 1st Lieutenant Robert C. Arman  [voir le dossier]
    First Sergeant: 1st Sergeant Charles E. Frederick  [voir le dossier]