Rangers

The Rangers are a US military Special Forces unit. The term 'Ranger' first appeared in 1670 in Church's Rangers, though the WWII reference was taken from Roger's Rangers of 1756, whose Standing Orders are still quoted today. In May 1942 during World War II, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned and recruited from forces in Northern Ireland and trained in Scotland by the British Commandos. Together with the ensuing 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions they served in North Africa and Italy under William O. Darby until the Battle of Cisterna (29 January 1944) when all but a handful of the 1st and 3rd were wiped out or captured.

U.S. Army Rangers earned their motto "Rangers Lead The Way" on Omaha Beach in World War II. When General Cota reached the beach he determined the force must move in land or perish. He asked, "What the hell unit is this?" Maj. Mac Schnider replied, "The Rangers." General Cota said: "Rangers lead the way off this beach".

Prior to the 5th Rangers landing on Omaha beach, three Companies of the 2nd Ranger Batt. scaled the 150 foot cliffs of Point Du Hoc, a few miles to the west, to destory a battery of five 155mm guns. Under constant fire during the climb, they found only a small company of Germans on the cliffs and the artillery withdrawn some 500 metres. The guns were later found and destroyed and the Rangers cut and held the main road for two days before being relieved.

See also: Ranger creed