2nd Ranger Battalion (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd Ranger Battalion


caption=2nd Ranger Battalion Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
dates= 1943-1945, 1974-present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= Regular Army
type= Infantry battalion
role=
size=
command_structure=
garrison=Fort Lewis
garrison_label=
equipment=
equipment_label=
nickname= "Second Rangers"
patron=
motto= "Rangers Lead The Way"
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles=World War II
*Pointe du Hoc
*Battle of Hurtgen Forest,
anniversaries=
decorations=Presidential Unit Citation, Croix de Guerre
battle_honours=
current_commander=
current_commander_label=
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=

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.

History

World War II

.

On June 6, 1944 Dog, Easy and Fox Companies, commanded by Colonel James Rudder, were landed at Pointe du Hoc from landing craft operated by the Royal Navy. During the attack, 225 men scaled the cliffs, however only 90 of them were still standing after two days of relentless fighting. They managed to disable the German artillery, paving the way for the invasion of France.

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.

Modern

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.

Recently, Pat Tillman served in A Co., 2nd Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne). His choice to serve in such a unit instead of accepting a $3.5 million (US) contract for continuing his NFL career, shows the sort of dedication for which Rangers are often known and respected.

In Popular Culture

The 2nd Ranger Battalion is featured in Call of Duty 2, where the player, Cpl. Bill Taylor (based on Leonard Lomell) of Dog Company, takes part of the Battle of Pointe-du-Hoc, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest(Hill 400), and the second crossing the Rhine River into Germany.

One of the fictional characters from "Saving Private Ryan", Captain John Miller, is the C.O. of Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion.

In Con Air, Nicolas Cage's character is a veteran of 2nd Ranger Battalion.

External links

* [http://www.soc.mil/75thrr/75thrrww2.shtml Ranger Battalions of World War II]
* [http://www.rangerfamily.org/History/History/Battalion%20Pages/2nd%20Rgr%20Bn/second.htm Brief unit history during WWII]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-75rr.htm Brief history since reactivation in 1974]