29th Ranger Battalion

Little is known by the public at large about the Ranger Battalion that was formed December 20th, 1942, with volunteers from the 29th Infantry Division then stationed in England commanded by Major Randolph Milholland, this unit also was trained by the British Commandos at Achnacarry, Scotland, and its highly motivated Rangers, eager for action, had high hopes of operating independently on Commando type missions. After graduating with honors, the unit was attached to Lord Lovat's Number 4 Commando Troop for tactical training and cliff climbing, winning the respect of Lord Lovat and the approval of Brig. Gen. Norman Cota who was then chief liaison for Maj. Gen. Russell Hartle.

It is known several 29th Ranger Battalion men did go on a raid with the Commandos on an island off the coast of France and acquitted themselves well, killing three Germans, and on the 20th of September, 1943, a company moved to Dover to take part in a raid on the Continent. But gloom descended on the unit when it was learned that the raid was canceled. And even more disappointment followed when Headquarters, 29th Infantry Division issued General Orders disbanding the unit on October 18, 1943. Many of the Rangers went back to their former companies in the 29th Infantry Division and fought from D Day to the day the Germans were defeated. The 29th Ranger Battalion will always have an honored place in the history of the American Rangers.