Myron N. Ranney
| Myron N. Ranney | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Mike |
| Born |
November 21, 1922[1] Kensal, North Dakota, United States |
| Died | September 22, 1988 (aged 65)[1] |
| Buried at | Golden Gate National Cemetery [1] |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Rank |
 Staff Sergeant |
| Unit |
 Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Relations |
-Russell Ranney (father) -Lucy Ranney (mother) |
Staff Sergeant Myron N. "Mike" Ranney (November 11, 1922 – September 22, 1988)[1] was a non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. Ranney was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Stephen Graham. Ranney's life story was featured in the 2010 book A Company of Heroes: Personal Memories about the Real Band of Brothers and the Legacy They Left Us.
Youth
Ranney was born in Kensal, North Dakota to Russell and Lucy Ranney as their only child.[2] Ranney attended the University of North Dakota before the Attack on Pearl Harbour took place.[3]
Military service
Ranney enlisted and volunteered for paratroopers. He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia and was assigned to Easy Company led by Captain Herbert Sobel. Ranney was one of the 140 original Toccoa men of Easy Company. Ranney was quickly made one of the staff sergeant of the unit.
Ranney, along with Terrence 'Salty' Harris were the two NCOs to start the mutiny against Captain Sobel. They convinced other NCOs to join and the participating NCOs threatened to resign their posts unless Sobel was removed. The next day Ranney was arrested by military police. Colonel Sink busted both Harris and Ranney to privates. Ranney was transferred to I Company of the Third Battalion.[4] Ranney was going to be a pathfinder in I company but he was transferred back to Easy Company in June 1, 1944.[5]
Ranney made his first combat jump into Normandy on D-Day. He linked up with Easy Company men William Guarnere, Donald Malarkey, Lynn Compton and Robert 'Popeye' Wynn upon landing, and later found Richard Winters. Ranney participated in the Brécourt Manor Assault, and was awarded the Bronze Star for his action. Richard Winters, who led the assault, considered Ranney as one of the 'Easy Company's killers' 'who instinctively understood the intricacies of battle'.[6] Ranney was promoted to Sergeant again after the battle in France.
Ranney jumped into the Netherlands in September 17, 1944 for Operation Market Garden. In October 2, 1944, he accidentally shot himself with a pistol that he just cleaned, and was evacuated to England later.[7] Ranney was sent back to the States in December 1, 1944. He was officially discharged in April 24, 1945.[8]
Later life
Ranney returned to the University of North Dakota and switched to journalism major. He married Julia Hutchinson in 1946, and had 5 children.[9] The couple divorced in 1971, remarried 4 years later but got divorced again after 2 years.[10]
Ranney worked as a journalist for various newspapers. He also engaged in the field of public relations, but returned to journalism for the final years of his career.[11]
Beginning in 1946, Ranney, Bob Rader and Walter Gordon, started Easy Company reunions. Ranney was the principal organizer of the initial reunions.[12]
Ranney died in September 1988 of a heart attack[13]
The Quote
The Famous Quote
"In thinking back on the days of Easy Company, I am treasuring my remark to a grandson who asked, 'Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?'
'No,', I answered, 'but I served with a company of heroes.'"
The quote was written by Ranney in a letter he wrote to Richard D. Winters on January 25, 1982.[14]
References
Bibliography
- Ambrose, Stephen E. (1992). Band of Brothers: Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7434-6411-6.
- Brotherton, Marcus (2010). A Company of Heroes: Personal Memories about the Real Band of Brothers and the Legacy They Left Us. Berkley Caliber. ISBN 978-0-425-23420-4.
- Winters, Major Dick, with Cole C. Kingseed. Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters.