06JUN1944: Leading what many thought to be a suicide mission, LTC James Rudder and the men of the 2nd Ranger Battalion headed towards Pointe Du Hoc. Allied planners expected a battery of 155mm cannons to sit atop the pointe, able to range the American beaches at Omaha and Utah. It had to be taken out. Realizing they were headed to the wrong cliffs, LTC Rudder changed course but the delay would mean their coming ashore late. Not only did that give the German defenders time to regroup after the naval bombardment but it also meant the reinforcements wouldn't be signaled in time and would instead head to Omaha beach. Rudder and his 225 men were on their own. Firing their rope ladders and grappling hooks over the cliffs edge, the waterlogged mean began to climb. Under fire, they pressed on until reaching the top of the 100' cliffs. Backs to the wall, they pushed forward, clearing enemy positions at close range. At this point, Rudder realized the guns had been moved and in their place, sat telephone poles. As they set in their defense, a few Rangers pushed out. They found the guns just a short ways inland and quickly destroyed them before linking back up with Rudder and the main force The Rangers would be counterattacked multiple times over the coming hours but would valiantly hold on until reinforcements arrived on June 8th. By that point, they had suffered over 75% casualties with fewer than 100 men able to continue the fight. For his leadership in this impossible task, LTC James Rudder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

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