D-DAY - UNITS

Provisional Ranger Group (Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc)


Leonard T. Gerow

James E. Rudder

Ralph E. Goranson

Max F. Schneider

Walter E. Block

James W. Eikner
 
On 2 April 1944, the 2nd Rangers and the 5th Rangers were ordered to make their way to the U.S. Assault Training Center in Braunton, England. When the two battalions arrived, the men learned that the commander of the 5th Battalion had been reassigned. Lieutenant Colonel Max SCHNEIDER took command of the unit.
Schneider and Lieutenant Colonel James Earl RUDDER, the commander of the 2nd Rangers, were soon briefed on the upcoming mission. On 6 June 1944, Provisional Ranger Assault Group, would take part in the amphibious landings in Normandy :
  -Force A, commanded by Lt. Colonel RUDDER, would capture Pointe du Hoc, destroy the guns, and seize a German observation post.
  -Force B, commanded by Captain Ralph GORANSON, would land on Omaha Dog Green Beach.
  -Force C, commanded by Lt. Colonel SCHNEIDDER, would join Force A at the Pointe du Hoc if Lt. Colonel RUDDER signaled that his men had scaled the cliffs there. If not, Force C would land at Omaha Beach.
 
      
 
Commanding Officer: Lt. Colonel James E. Rudder (2nd Ranger Battalion)  [view folder]
Executive Officer: Major Richard P. Sullivan (5th Ranger Battalion)  [view folder]
   
  Task Force A: Lt. Colonel James E. Rudder  [view folder]
    D Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Harold K. Slater  [view folder]
    E Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Richard P. Merrill  [view folder]
    F Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Otto Masny  [view folder]
    Headquarters Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain James W. Eikner  [view folder]
   
  Task Force B: Captain Ralph E. Goranson  [view folder]
    C Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Ralph E. Goranson  [view folder]
   
  Task Force C: Lt. Colonel Max F. Schneider  [view folder]
    A Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Joseph A. Rafferty (KIA 6 June 44)  [view folder]
    B Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion: Captain Edgar L. Arnold  [view folder]
    A Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: 1st Lieutenant Charles H. Parker, Jr  [view folder]
    B Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: Captain George P. Whittington, Jr  [view folder]
    C Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: Captain Wilmer K. Wise  [view folder]
    D Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: Captain George R. Miller  [view folder]
    E Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: Captain Edward S. Luther  [view folder]
    F Company, 5th Ranger Battalion: Captain William M. Runge  [view folder]