Ranger Battalions were first formed during WWII to conduct commando raids and to spearhead combat operations. Major, later Brigadier General, Williams O. Darby gathered 2000 volunteers and put them through a grueling training program in Northern Ireland to form the initial Battalion. Darby’s Rangers spearheaded the invasion of North Africa, the landings at Gela and Licota during the Sicilian invasion, and saw fierce combat at Anzio. The 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions participated in the D-day landings at Normandy. The scaling of the cliffs at Point-du-hoc is still considered one of the most daring operations ever conducted. The Rangers also earned their battle cry at Omaha beach, when the assistant division commander of the 29th Inf. Div. determined that they must advance inland or die. He turned to the commander of the 5th Ranger Battalion and directed "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY” The 6th Ranger Battalion distinguished itself in the Pacific theatre with the heroic rescue of the allied prisoners at Cabanatuan, Philippines. Rangers from the 1st Ranger Battalion were the first Americans to see ground combat in Europe during the Dieppe raid in 1942. Rangers from the 6th Ranger Battalion were the first troops to return to the Philippines.
Lineage is also drawn from “Merrill’s Marauders” who fought against the Japanese in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Organized into three battalions of two combat teams each under the command of MG Frank D. Merrill, these experienced jungle fighters penetrated deep into enemy territory and fought 5 major and 30 minor engagements, defeating the veteran soldiers of the Japanese 18th DIV. The high point of the Marauders combat operations was the capture of the Myitkyina airfield, the only all weather airstrip in Northern Burma.
The need for a special brand of warfare quickly resurfaced during the Korean War. A total of 18 Airborne Ranger Companies were committed to combat and fought with distinction. The Airborne Ranger concept was carried forward into the Vietnam War where Ranger Companies were again called upon, this time performing raids, ambushes and long-range reconnaissance missions to pinpoint enemy strong points. 15 separate Ranger Companies were formed. 13 of which served proudly in Vietnam.
In 1974, late GEN. Creighton Abrams, the Chief of Staff of the Army, ordered the formation of the modern day Ranger Battalion. His charter to the Rangers states: "The Ranger Battalion is to be an elite, light and most proficient infantry battalion in the world; a battalion that can do things with it’s hand an weapons better than anyone. The battalion will not contain any hoodlums or brigands and that if the battalion is formed of such persons it will be disbanded. Wherever the battalion goes it will be apparent that it is the best”.
Thus the 1st Ranger Battalion was activated at Ft. Benning, GA, on 31 January 1974, and jumped into Ft Stewart, GA on I July 1974, eventually establishing it’s headquarters at Hunter Army Airfield, GA. The 2nd Battalion was activated at Ft. Lewis, WA on I October 1974. The modern Ranger Battalions were first called upon in 1980 as elements of 1st Ranger Battalion participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. Both battalions again “Led The Way” on 25 October 1983, by conducting an airborne assault on Point Salinas Airfield and rescuing the American students in Grenada.
As a result of their demonstrated effectiveness, the Department of the Army activated the 3rd Ranger Battalion and the Regimental Headquarters on 3 October 1994, both located at Ft. Benning, GA.
On 20 December 1989, the entire regiment participated in two simultaneous low-level airborne assaults on Torrijos-Tocumen and Rio-Hato airfields in the Republic of Panama, spearheading the drive to restore freedom and democracy to the people of Panama during operation “Just Cause”. In 1991, elements from the 1st Ranger Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of operation “Desert Storm”. In 1993, elements of the 3rd Ranger Battalion supported the United Nations’ operation in Somalia. On October 3rd and 4th, they participated in an 18 hour-long firefight in which the Rangers fought valiantly. The 75th Ranger Regiment also played an active role in the United States involvement in Haiti.
Today the 75th Ranger Regiment stands ready to execute its mission, to conduct special military operations in support of the United States policies and objectives.