The American landing force was trapped on the Normandy beach by intense machine gun fire. In the confusion, General Norman Cota commanding the 29th infantry division yelled out to another soldier,Major Schneider, “What unit are you guys?”, Major Schneider yelled out over the loud sound of gun fire, “ 5th Rangers,sir ! “ to which Cota replied, “ Well then goddamit, Rangers lead the way!”. And a legend was born. The 5th Rangers led the drive off the beach, which eventually led to Berlin.
Isolationists of the day watched America rise to be the leaders of the free world and become the greatest economic, political, cultural, and military power the world has ever seen. A role we still enjoy today. Fight On!
Those Rangers sustained nearly 90% casualties that day. Semper FI!!!!!!!!!
That looks like pointe du hoc. I’ve been there and to the American cemetery in normandy as well. ‘Poignant’ is not a strong enough word.
Say what you will about the French but there was one elderly man in particular (this was 1999-2000 and i was dating a petite francaise) that always wore a marine corps lid (i know the marines were in the pacific) to show his appreciation for the US liberation of France. Thought that was pretty cool.
um, not quite. here's an entirely different perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uObgP6GF3VA
Good stuff. Didn't know that was the origin of the term.
Speaking of Normandy, Donald Malarkey with the 101st Airborne, and featured on HBO's Band of Brothers, dropped into France the evening prior to D-Day. He was a proud duck. And we ducks are proud of him.