2nd Ranger Battalion
2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment | |
---|---|
Active | 1943–45, 1974–present |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | United States Army |
Type | Specialized light infantry |
Role | Special operations |
Size | Battalion |
Part of | 75th Ranger Regiment |
Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Lewis–McChord, U.S. |
Nickname(s) | Army Rangers |
Colors | Black and Red |
Engagements | World War II
Operation Just Cause
War on Terror
|
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | James Earl Rudder Wayne A. Downing |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia | |
Unit beret flash | |
NATO Map Symbol (1998) | |
NATO Map Symbol (2017) |
The 2nd Ranger Battalion, currently based at
History
World War II
Formation of Ranger Battalions
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 as part of six Ranger battalions of the Second World War.
Assault at Point du Hoc
On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Omaha Beach
Meanwhile, Able, Baker, and Charlie Companies landed along with the
Deactivation
The battalion was deactivated after the war, together with the 5th and
Reformation of the modern day 2nd Ranger Battalion
The modern day 2nd Ranger Battalion also draws heritage from the 5307 Composite Unit, also known as Merrill's Marauders. This unit was consolidated with Company H, 475th Infantry before eventually being deactivated after the end of the war.[2]
Post-WWII
Korean War
In 1950, the 2nd Ranger Battalion was redesignated as the 2nd Ranger Infantry Company and activated to serve during the Korean War before being inactivated. Later, in 1960, while still deactivated, it was consolidated with 4th Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Special Service Force and eventually was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Forces Group.[2]
Okinawa
In 1954, Company H, 475th Infantry was redesignated as Company H, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger) and was reactivated for a short time before being inactivated in Okinawa.[2]
Vietnam War
During the Vietnam War, Company H, 75th Infantry was reactivated and served as a LRRP unit during the war, becoming the longest serving in LRP/Ranger history and the most decorated. It was deactivated for a short time in 1972.[2] Following the success of the 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger) which was raised in 1974, the 2nd Battalion, 75th Infantry was activated later that year, inheriting its colors and lineage from Company H, 75th Infantry.[3][4][2]
Reorganization
In 1986, the 2nd battalion, 75th Infantry was reorganized and consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th SFG (which was formerly Company A, 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion), thus inheriting its World War II 2nd Ranger Battalion heritage. It was concurrently redesignated as 2nd Battalion, of the newly formed 75th Ranger Regiment.[2][5]
Grenada
The modern Ranger battalions are strategic assets, prepared to conduct missions on short-notice worldwide. The 2/75th participated in
Panama
In December 1989 the battalion took part in
War on Terror
Beginning of operations in Afghanistan
Following the
Beginning of operations in Iraq
The battalion participated in the
Further operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
From March to May 2004 and July to October 2004, the battalion deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.[9]
Death of Zarqawi
On 7 June 2006, Rangers from 2nd platoon of C company, accompanied
Honoring decorated Rangers
On May 19, 2017, over 150 Rangers from 2nd Battalion were honored with combat decorations for their work during
Night Raid in Nimruz Operation
On 24 November 2018, members of 2nd Battalion conducted a night raid against al-Qaida senior leaders in Kash Rod district, Nimruz province, alongside the obscure Afghan Ktah Khas partner force. During the raid, Army Ranger Sgt. Leandro Jasso was killed by friendly fire from a Ktah Khas operator. All Ktah Khas operators denied shooting Jasso. In total, 10 enemy fighters were reported killed that night. The Rangers and Afghan troops destroyed a large enemy weapons cache, evacuated their casualties, and extracted back to base.[12][13]
Ranger Casualties
As of 4 July 2022, 25 Rangers in (or previously in) 2nd Battalion have been killed during the War on Terror, 20 of them in combat.[b][14][15][16][17]
Lineage
The 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment traces its lineage to two units; Company H, 475th Infantry Regiment (previously known as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), or "Merrill's Marauders") and Company A, 2nd Ranger Battalion. The units originally had separate lineages, but were then consolidated in 1986.
- Constituted 3 October 1943 in the Army of the United States in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operationsas an element of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional)
- Consolidated 10 August 1944 with Company H, 475th Infantry (constituted 25 May 1944 in the Army of the United States), and consolidated unit designated as Company H, 475th Infantry
- Inactivated 1 July 1945 in China
- Redesignated 21 June 1954 as Company H, 75th Infantry
- Allotted 26 October 1954 to the Regular Army
- Activated 20 November 1954 on Okinawa
- Inactivated 21 March 1956 on Okinawa
- Activated 1 February 1969 in Vietnam
- Inactivated 15 August 1972 in Vietnam
- Redesignated 1 October 1974 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 75th Infantry, and activated at Fort Lewis, Washington (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company consolidated 3 February 1986 with former Company A, 2d Infantry Battalion (see ANNEX); 2d Battalion, 75th Infantry, concurrently redesignated as the 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
Annex
- Constituted 11 March 1943 in the Army of the United States as Company A, 2d Ranger Battalion
- Activated 1 April 1943 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee
- Redesignated 1 August 1943 as Company A, 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion
- Inactivated 23 October 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia
- Redesignated 29 July 1949 as Company A, 2d Infantry Battalion
- Activated 15 September 1949 in the Panama Canal Zone
- Inactivated 4 January 1950 in the Panama Canal Zone
- Redesignated 25 October 1950 as the 2d Ranger Infantry Company and allotted to the Regular Army
- Activated 28 October 1950 at Fort Benning, Georgia
- Inactivated 1 August 1951 in Korea
- Redesignated 24 November 1952 as Company A, 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion
- Activated 1 July 1955 in Iceland
- Inactivated 11 March 1960 at Fort Hamilton, New York
- Consolidated 15 April 1960 with the 4th Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Special Service Force (activated 9 July 1942), and consolidated unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces
- Consolidated 30 September 1960 with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Forces Group (activated 11 June 1952), and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated 20 March 1961)
- Former Company A, 2d Infantry Battalion, withdrawn 3 February 1986, consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 75th Infantry, and consolidated unit redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment (remainder of 10th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces—hereafter separate lineage)
Unit awards and streamers
The 2nd Battalion has earned numerous unit awards and battle streamers.[18] Among them are:
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered EL GUETTAR
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered SALERNO
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered POINTE DU HOC
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered SAAR RIVER AREA
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered MYITKYINA
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966–68
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – II CORPS AREA
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – BINH DUONG PROVINCE
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – CAMBODIA FISH HOOK 1970
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – III CORPS AREA 1969
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – III CORPS AREA 1971
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM – THUA THEIN-QUANG TRI PROVINCES 1968
- Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered GRENADA 1983
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969–70
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered PACIFIC AREA
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Stream embroidered PANAMA 1989
- Valorous Unit Award, IRAQ[19]
- Valorous Unit Award, AFGHANISTAN[19]
Notable 2nd Battalion alumni
- Captain Ralph E. Goranson, commanded Charlie Company of the 2nd. Rangers Battalion, made up of 2 Platoons (68 men), being the first of all the participants in the operation to touch land disembarking in the Charlie Sector of Omaha Beach during Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), attacking Gambier House at the top of the Vierville Valley. He fulfilled the assigned mission, survived the war and died on November 14, 2012. His figure is portrayed in the movie Saving Private Ryan in the character of Captain John H. Miller, played by actor Tom Hanks.
- General Austin S. Miller, current commander of Resolute Support Mission. Former platoon leader in A company, 2nd battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Miller also served with Delta Force.
- First Lieutenant John P. Abizaid served as a Platoon leader 1975–1976 in Alpha Company and later as the XO of Charlie Company from 1976 to 1977. He went on to command CENTCOM during the second Gulf War. His change in intelligence methods led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. He retired as a General.
- Lieutenant General David Barno, commanded 2nd Ranger Battalion from 1993 to 1994. Later became Commander, Military Operations-Afghanistan.
- Brigadier General James Emory Mace, recipient of Distinguished Service Cross (Vietnam), 2nd Ranger Battalion Commander and the first Commander of the Ranger Training Brigade; 15th Annual Ranger Hall of Fame inductee 2007.
- Lieutenant Colonel Wayne A. Downing was the third Battalion Commander of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and eventually commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment, and Special Operations Command. He retired as a General.
- Captain Gerald Heaney, World War II, landed at Normandy on the early hours of D-Day, Heaney was one of only three still on the front lines with the Rangers on VE Day. He served for nearly forty years as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- Captain Robert L. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times for his actions in Vietnam, receiving it once. Howard commanded Alpha Company from approximately 1975–1977. Howard was later inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame.
- Second Lieutenant Leonard Lomell, served as platoon leader during the D-Day landings. Was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.
- Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient in the War in Afghanistan[20]
- Colonel James Earl Rudder, commander of the 2nd Ranger Battalion during World War II, later major general USAR and president of Texas A&M University, led the Ranger assault on Pointe du Hoc on D-Day.
- Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, posthumous Medal of Honor recipient; a sniper with Delta Force who was killed during the Battle of Mogadishu.
- Corporal Pat Tillman, an American football player who left his NFL career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 and was killed on 22 April 2004.
- Sergeant Stephen Trujillo, awarded the Operation Urgent Fury, the first Silver Star awarded since Vietnam, for rescuing fellow Rangers from a downed aircraft while under direct enemy fire.
- General Stanley McChrystal, commanded 2nd Ranger Batt from 1994 to 1996, later went on to Command US and ISAFforces in Afghanistan
- SFC Jason Everman, musician best known for playing in grunge bands Nirvana and Soundgarden before enlisting in 1994.
- Sergeant Mat Best, Vice President of Black Rifle Coffee Company.
- Sergeant Global Response Staff security contractor during the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, former member of B Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion.
- Sergeant First Class Vincent “Rocco” Vargas, Actor, Writer, and Producer
- Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, Delta Force operator and Silver Star recipient, formerly with 2nd Battalion. He was the first American service member killed in action as a result of enemy fire while fighting ISIS militants and the first American to be killed in action in Iraq since November 2011.
- Sergeant John Whitley, Acting US Secretary of the Army.
- Specialist Luke Elliott Sommer, bank robber.
- Staff Sergeant Sean Keough, two time recipient of the Global War on Terrorism.
- Sergeant Peter Cimpoes, awarded the Global War on Terrorism.
- Specialist Ricardo Cerros, awarded the Global War on Terrorism. SPC Cerros was killed in action on October 8, 2011.
- Specialist Joe Gibson, awarded the Global War on Terrorism.
See also
- H Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger)– 2nd Battalion's lineage
Notes
References
- ^ Marshall, S. L. A. (November 1960). "First Wave at Omaha Beach". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lineage and Honors 2d BATTALION, 75th RANGER REGIMENT". United States Army Center of Military History. 27 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ Ankony, Robert C. (Fall 2013). "H Company 75th Ranger / Company E, 52nd Infantry (LRP) 1st Cavalry Division" (PDF). Patrolling. pp. 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ "75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion". USASOC. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ 75th Ranger Regiment Heritage. GoArmy.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017.
- ^ a b "2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ a b "75th Ranger Regiment". US Army. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017.
- ^ OCLC 889735079.
- ^ "2nd Ranger Battalion". US Army Ft Benning. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
- OCLC 951712359.
- ^ Siemon, Dean (26 May 2017). "Rangers honored for their actions". US Army. Northwest Guardian (JBLM). Archived from the original on 26 January 2019.
- ^ Rempfer, Kyle (27 August 2019). "Ranger was killed by Afghan friendly fire during night raid on al-Qaida, investigation shows". Army Times. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Britzky, Haley (27 August 2019). "Army Ranger killed during 2018 raid was accidentally shot by Afghan commando". Task & Purpose. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "75th Ranger Regiment". leadtheway.org. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022.
- ^ "2-75 Casualties". 75th Ranger Regiment Association. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Memorial Wall Past Campaigns". United States Army Special Operations Command. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Memorial Wall Current Campaigns". United States Army Special Operations Command. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "75th Ranger Regiment Campaigns". United States Army Special Operations Command. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
- ^ a b Poe, David (15 May 2012). "Army Rangers hold rare public ceremony to celebrate service, sacrifice". United States Army. Northwest Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- ^ Army News Service (31 May 2011). "Army Ranger to be awarded Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C.: US Army. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011.
External links
- 2nd Battalion, SOC.mil Archived
- 2nd Battalion page, Fort Benning Archived
- 2nd Battalion, GlobalSecurity.org Archived
- List of 2nd Battalion Rangers killed Archived
- Photographic history of 1st Cav LRRP Rangers in Vietnam
- Honor Our Fallen Archived on 4 July 2022
Further reading
- "Pointe Du Hoc 2nd Ranger Battalion". Small Unit Actions. American Forces in Action Series. United States Army Center of Military History. 1946. CMH Pub 100-14. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2010.