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.
On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA landing craft and specially modified DUKW "Ducks" operated by the Royal Navy. The 225 Rangers had set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the cliffs overlooking the English Channel. In order to augment the strength of the 2nd Battalion, members of the Provisional Ranger Group were assigned as well. Several landing craft containing Rangers and supplies capsized in the stormy waters and many Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but others were saved and hoisted into other DUKWs to participate in the attack. The Rangers had planned to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours, however, because of a navigational error, they landed nearly an hour late. This cost the lives of more Rangers as well as the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders, but only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting. During the assault, 2nd Battalion managed to achieve their primary objective, disabling a battery of 155mm French artillery captured by the Germans. These guns were to be aimed at Utah Beach, however, the Rangers prevented their use, saving American lives on the shores of Normandy.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
The modern Ranger battalions are strategic assets, prepared to conduct missions on short-notice worldwide. The 2/75th participated in Operation Urgent Fury in October 1983. During the invasion of Grenada, the 2nd conducted a low-level parachute assault (500 feet), seized the airfield at Point Salines, rescued American citizens at the True Blue Medical Campus, and conducted air assault operations to eliminate pockets of resistance.[6]
In December 1989 the battalion took part in Operation Just Cause. The 2nd and 3rd Ranger Battalions and a regimental command and control team, conducted a parachute assault onto the airfieldatRio Hato, to neutralize the Panamanian Defense Force rifle companies and seize General Manuel Noriega's beach house. Following the successful completion of these assaults, Rangers conducted follow-on operations in support of Joint Task Force (JTF)-South. The Rangers captured 1,014 enemy prisoners of war (EPW), and over 18,000 arms of various types. The Rangers sustained 5 killed and 42 wounded.[6]
War on Terror
[edit]A Ranger from 2nd Ranger Battalion providing overwatch during combat operations in Iraq.Rangers from Delta Company, 2nd Battalion prepare to provide security and lay down suppressive fire during a live fire exercise at Ft Hunter Liggett, CA, Jan. 25, 2014.[a]
Following the September 11 attacks, the battalion has continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In March 2002, 2nd Battalion deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and conducted numerous air assaults, raids, patrols, and ambushes against anti-coalition forces. In December 2002, elements of 2nd Battalion again deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, followed in February 2003 by the whole battalion. This period marked the first time in history of the modern ranger regiment that a ranger battalion was required to conduct long-duration and sustained combat operations.[7]
The battalion participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq at the start of the Iraq War. On 26 March 2003, B company supported Navy SEALs from DEVGRU in the Objective Beaver mission. On 1 April 2003, 290 Rangers from 2/75th and 1/75th took part in the successful rescue of PFC Jessica Lynch.[8] 2nd Battalion was also the first American force with boots on the ground in Baghdad so they could established a base of operations for follow on units and later participated in operations to capture known and wanted terrorists operating within the country. From November to December 2003, the battalion deployed again to Afghanistan and Rangers pursued enemies in the most remote regions of the country. Despite extreme altitudes and bitter cold, the battalion conducted mountain patrols at altitudes upwards of 9,000 feet, mobile patrols through major population centers, and conducted air assaults and direct action raids on heavily defended enemy objectives.[7]
On 7 June 2006, Rangers from 2nd platoon of C company, accompanied Delta Force operators to a farmhouse in the village Hibhib, northeast of Baquba, Iraq, where JSOC had tracked down Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (the leader of AQI). An F-16C airstrike was called in which destroyed the house. US forces recovered the severely wounded Zarqawi who succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter.[8]: 216–217 [10]
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]
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 Operations as 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
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
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
[edit]Memorial erected by the Battalion to mark their time spent in Bude, Cornwall during the Second World War
The 2nd Battalion has earned numerous unit awards and battle streamers.[18] Among them are:
Captain Ralph E. Goranson commanded Charlie Company of the 2nd Ranger 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.[citation needed]
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 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 Silver Star during 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 ISAF forces in Afghanistan
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.
United States of America
United States Army
75th Ranger Regiment
