Changes

Up to this point, the German defenders had not yet recovered from their initial confusion.  They were slowly regrouping and assembling, and later that day the 916th and 726th counterattacked the Ranger positions.  Throughout the day, the USS Satterlee, Barton, and Thompson gave fire support to the Rangers when possible.  By nightfall, the Ranger were forced back into a 200 yard wide defensive position inside the battery.  The Rangers had lost 1/3 of the men first deployed and ammunition was running low.

Up to this point, the German defenders had not yet recovered from their initial confusion.  They were slowly regrouping and assembling, and later that day the 916th and 726th counterattacked the Ranger positions.  Throughout the day, the USS Satterlee, Barton, and Thompson gave fire support to the Rangers when possible.  By nightfall, the Ranger were forced back into a 200 yard wide defensive position inside the battery.  The Rangers had lost 1/3 of the men first deployed and ammunition was running low.

By June 7th, the next day, of his original 225 men, Rudder had fewer than 100 and almost no food.   

By June 7, the next day, of his original 225 men, Rudder had fewer than 100 and almost no food.   

[[Image:Hoc2.jpg]]  

[[Image:Hoc2.jpg]]  

In the end, Rudder's Rangers had suffered 70 percent casualties and held off five German counterattacks.  Rudder was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Cross]] for his service at Point du Hoc and went on to command the 109th Infantry Regiment later in the war.

In the end, Rudder's Rangers had suffered 70 percent casualties and held off five German counterattacks.  Rudder was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Cross]] for his service at Point du Hoc and went on to command the 109th Infantry Regiment later in the war.

[[category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]