US Rangers, Pointe du Hoc, June the 6th.

usrangerspointeduhocjunethe6th.jpg

This is the HQ group of the 2nd Ranger Battalion which on D-Day had the job of scaling the cliffs to capture the costal artillery battery on the top. If suffered 50% casualties on the first day alone. Its commander Colonel James E Rudder later became a Major General.

On the left is Sgt Leonard Goodgal (506th PIR of the 101st Airborne Division) who was dropped miles away from his intended area and instead fought with the Rangers.

On the right is Lt Col Tom Trevor General Officer Staff, 2nd rank (GSO2), Planning, Military Section, Combined Operations HQ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Rudder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc