In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we delve into the historic events that took place on June 6, 1944, at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France. This significant day marked a turning point in World War II as Allied forces stormed the beaches to preserve freedom and democracy for America and its allies.
Operation Neptune was led by Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Bernard Law Montgomery and soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Free France and other countries. The Allied war effort aimed to destroy Nazism, end the Jewish Holocaust and obliterate Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
The operation at Pointe du Hoc was a crucial part of this mission. A group of 225 US Army Rangers was tasked with destroying German guns stationed atop the cliff. After reaching the summit, they cleared out bunkers and located five guns which were destroyed using thermite grenades.
The bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers are unparalleled. Of the original 225 Rangers, 77 were killed during the mission, and only 90 were still able to bear arms.
The idea for the U.S. Army Rangers was inspired by British Commandos and their surprise attacks during World War II. The first U.S. troops to fight in Europe were American Rangers who joined the British and Canadians in a raid into Dieppe, France, in August 1942.
Rangers conducted daring nighttime raids and were essential to Gen. George Patton's breakout at Tunisia's Djebel el Ank in 1943. The Army created additional Ranger battalions for the invasions of Italy and France, which were still being planned.
The Rangers suffered disastrous casualties fighting in prolonged conventional battles they were neither designed nor equipped for during the Allied campaign across northern Africa and into Italy.
Two Ranger battalions, the 2nd and 5th, arrived in England to prepare for the Normandy landings. Task Force A of Rangers was assigned to take out German guns at Pointe du Hoc using rocket-propelled grappling guns, rope and specialty fire ladders.
Brig. Gen. Norman Cota ordered Rangers to clear a pathway through German barbed wire and kick-started one of the first major breakthroughs on Omaha Beach.
The ceremony at Pointe du Hoc honors veterans who passed the responsibility for defending freedom and liberty on to current service members. Military leaders have drawn parallels between Nazi Germany and Russia's invasion of Ukraine during commemoration events.
As we remember the past, let us not forget that freedom is a precious gift that requires constant vigilance.
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