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Ranger Memorial

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Details:

The memorial is located on the cliffside at the northernmost point of the site. 

Monument

The World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument was erected by the French to honor elements of the American Second Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. James E. Rudder. During the American assault of Omaha and Utah beaches on June 6, 1944, these U.S. Army Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliff and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. At a high cost of life, they successfully defended against determined German counterattacks. The monument consists of a grey granite pylon positioned atop a German concrete bunker with tablets at its base inscribed in French and English. 


The monument was formally transferred to American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) for perpetual care and maintenance on January 11, 1979, and it remains under the care of the ABMC today.

Monument Text:

TO THE HEROIC RANGER COMMANDOES

D 2 RN, E 2 RN, F 2 RN

OF THE 116TH INF

WHO UNDER THE COMMAND OF

COLONEL JAMES E. RUDDER

OF THE FIRST AMERICAN DIVISION

ATTACKED AND TOOK POSSESSION OF

THE POINTE DU HOC

 

 

Duplicate on the right inscribed in French:

 

AUX HÉROÏQUES COMMANDOS

DE RANGERS

D 2 RN, E 2 RN, F 2 RN

DU 116EME D'INFANTERIE

QUI PRIRENT D’ASSAUT LA

POINTE DU HOC

LES 6,7,8 JUIN 1944

SOUS LE COMMANDEMENT DU

COLONEL JAMES E. RUDDER

DE LA 1ERE DIVISION AMÉRICAINE

Commemorates:

People:

James Earl Rudder

Units:

116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division

2nd Ranger Battalion

United States Army

Wars:

WWII

Battles:

Normandy Invasion

Other images :