United States, and later in Scotland, the 2d and 5th Ranger Battalions were formed to undertake operations in Western Europe. Those Battalions were engaged on D-Day, assaulting German positions at the Pointe du Hoc coastal battery, and remained in combat through September of 1944. Specifically, Rangers in the 2d Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder— (A) overcame underwater mines, machine gun fire, and enemy artillery while scaling the 100-foot high cliffs at Pointe du Hoc