| 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment | |
|---|---|
2nd Ranger Battalion Shoulder Sleeve Insignia |
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| Active | 1943–1945, 1974–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Special Operations Light Infantry |
| Role | Primary tasks:
Other roles:
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| Garrison/HQ | Fort Lewis |
| Nickname | 2nd Battalion |
| Motto | Sua Sponte |
| Engagements | World War II
Operation Urgent Fury |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Croix de Guerre |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
James Earl Rudder |
2nd Ranger Battalion is the name of two distinct units of United States Army Rangers. The first was part of the six Ranger battalions of the Second World War. The second was formed when the battalion was reactivated in 1974 and still serves to this day under the 75th Ranger Regiment, as the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
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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.
On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lt. Colonel James Rudder, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA landing craft and specially modified DUKW "Ducks" operated by the Royal Navy. 225 Rangers set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the Pointe, a cliff overlooking the English Channel. In order to over-strength the 2nd Battalion, members of what was formerly the 29th Rangers were assigned here as well.
Unfortunately, various landing craft containing supplies and Rangers capsized in the stormy waters. Many of those Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but those that were saved were hoisted into other DUKWs and participated in the attack. The Rangers were due to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours (6:00 am), but, due to a navigation error, landed nearly an hour late. This mistake cost several Ranger lives and the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders; however, only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting. During the assault, 2nd Battalion managed to disable a battery of 155mm French artillery pieces captured by the Germans, which was their primary objective. These guns were to be aimed at Utah Beach; however, Ranger heroics prevented their usage, saving countless American lives on the shores of Normandy.
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 heavy casualties but were still able to complete their D-Day objectives. The 2nd Rangers were later involved in the Battle for Brest and the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. The battalion was deactivated after the war together with the 5th and 6th Battalion.
The 2nd Ranger Battalion was reactivated in 1974 as an elite combat unit 8 months after 1st Ranger Battalion. The modern Ranger battalions were strategic assets, and prepared to conduct missions short-notice worldwide. It was later designated as a part of the newly formed Special Operations Command and became 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in 1984.
The 2/75th participated in Operation Urgent Fury in October, 1983. During the invasion of Grenada, the 2nd conducted a daring low-level parachute assault (500 feet), seized the airfield at Point Salines, rescued American citizens at the True Blue Medical Campus, and conducted air assault operations to eliminate pockets of resistance.[1]
In December, 1989 the battalion took part in Operation Just Cause. The 2nd and 3rd Ranger Battalions and a Regimental Command and Control Team, conducted a parachute assault onto the airfield at Rio Hato, to neutralize the Panamanian Defense Force rifle companies and seize General Manuel Noriega's beach house. Following the successful completion of these assaults, Rangers conducted follow-on operations in support of Joint Task Force (JTF)-South. The Rangers captured 1,014 Enemy Prisoners of War (EPW), and over 18,000 arms of various types. The Rangers sustained 5 killed and 42 wounded.[1]
Recently in October 2007 D-co was added to all 3 Battalions of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
The 2nd Battalion has earned numerous unit awards and battle streamers.[2] Among them are:
The 2nd Ranger Battalion is featured in Call of Duty 2, where the player, Cpl. Bill Taylor takes part in the Battle of Pointe-du-Hoc, the taking of Hill 400, and the Rhine River crossing.
In the 2002 video game Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, the game's protagonist, Lt. Mike Powell, serves in the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Also in Medal of Honor: Frontline, the game's main character, Lt. Jimmy Patterson also serves in 2nd Ranger Battalion during one of the missions.
One of the fictional characters from Saving Private Ryan, Captain John Miller, is the C.O. of Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion. The film follows Miller and seven other Rangers of the Company as they trek across Normandy to rescue a soldier who has lost all his brothers.
In Con Air, Nicolas Cage's character is a veteran of 2nd Ranger Battalion.
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