About Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument

Overview

The World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument is located on a cliff 8 miles west of Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach, France.

It was erected by the French to honor elements of the American 2nd Ranger Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. James E. Rudder. During the American assault of Omaha and Utah beaches on June 6, 1944, these U.S. Army Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliffs and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches.

The monument consists of a simple granite pylon positioned atop a German concrete bunker with tablets at its base inscribed in French and English. The monument was formally transferred to ABMC for perpetual care and maintenance on Jan. 11, 1979. This battle-scarred area on the left flank of Omaha Beach remains much as the Rangers left it.