5th Ranger Battalion

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The 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion was a Ranger battalion activated during World War II on 1 September 1943 at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. By this time, while in maneuvers on the United States, they were commanded by the Major Owen Carter. Later, when they moved to England, they were commanded by Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Max Schneider,^[1] former executive officer of the 4th Ranger Battalion, who led the 5th Rangers as part of the Provisional Ranger Group commanded by Colonel James Earl Rudder.

History

World War II

The 5th Ranger Battalion was activated on 1 September 1943 at

The 5th Battalion Rangers broke across the seawall and barbed wire entanglements, and up the pillbox-rimmed heights under intense enemy machine gun and mortar fire and with A, B and C Companies of the 2nd Ranger Battalion and elements of the 116th Infantry Regiment, advanced four miles (6 km) to the key town of Vierville-sur-Mer, thus opening the breach for supporting troops to follow up and expand the beachhead. Meanwhile, D, E and F Company of the 2nd Battalion, due to rough seas, landed west of the Vierville draw and suffered 50 percent casualties during the landing, but still scaled a 90-foot (27 m) cliff using ropes and bayonets to knock out a formidable enemy position that was sweeping the beach with deadly fire.

The 5th Battalion with elements of the 116th Regiment finally linked up with the beleaguered D,E and F companies of 2nd Battalion on D+3, although Lieutenant

Deactivation

The outfit was deactivated 22 October 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts.^[3]

In 1986, the still deactivated 5th Ranger Battalion was consolidated with units of the 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger) during its reorganization into the 75th Ranger Regiment.^[4]

Battle honors

Battle honors received for actions in the invasion of France:^[5]

• Citation approved by the Commanding General, First U.S. Army, in the name of the President of the United States for actions as leading assault unit on the beach at H-Hour on D-Day in the invasion of France.
• Commendation from Major General C. H. Gerhardt for participation in the capture of the City of Brest, Fort Pt. Minon and Fort De Mengaht.
• Commendation from Lieutenant General William H. Simpson in the capture of Brest.

References