I was the Headquarters Commandant and Hq Company Commander of the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion. I landed in the third wave of Ranger Force "C" on Omaha Dog Red at about 0750 on D-Day. The 5th Rangers landed INTACT as a battalion and thus became the dominant influence on Omaha Dog Beach. We fought our way into Vierville in the late afternoon, but were stopped from proceeding to Pointe Du Hoc by the 29th Division command group. Gen Cota was probably right on that point, we were needed to secure a very fragile beachhead from expected German counter-attack, and since the German guns at PdHoc had not influenced the landings, protection of the beachhead was more important than relief of the 2nd Rangers at PdHoc.

On D+1, I was with the relief force for PdHoc and ended up in command of that force the evening of D+1 as it dug in at St. Pierre du Mont for the night of D+1. The next morning, D+2, the rest of the 5th joined us with LTC Schneider in command, and we relieved the force at PdHoc.

John C. Raaen, Jr.
Maj Gen, USA-Ret

Approved by MG (Ret) Raaen; 29-Aug-2013