2nd Ranger Battalion (United States)

2nd Ranger Battalion (United States)
English: United States Army · Public domain · source
Unit name	2nd Ranger Battalion
Caption	Insignia of the 2nd Ranger Battalion
Dates	1943–1945; 1950–1951; 1952–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Light infantry
Role	Special operations, direct action, airfield seizure, reconnaissance
Size	Battalion
Command structure	75th Ranger Regiment
Garrison	Joint Base Lewis–McChord
Nickname	"Warriors"
Motto	"Rangers Lead the Way"
Battles	See below
Notable commanders	William O. Darby, Maxwell D. Taylor, Kenneth O. Daly

2nd Ranger Battalion (United States) is a light infantry battalion of the United States Army within the 75th Ranger Regiment, specializing in airborne operations, direct action raids, and special reconnaissance. Activated first during World War II and later reconstituted during the Korean War and the Global War on Terrorism, the battalion has participated in major operations including the Sicily campaign, the Battle of Normandy, Operation Just Cause, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit traces lineage to the wartime Ranger battalions and maintains close ties to U.S. Army Ranger School, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and Joint Special Operations Command missions.

History

The battalion was constituted during World War II as part of the U.S. effort to field specialized light infantry modeled on the British Commandos, drawing influence from Rangers tradition and leaders such as William O. Darby and doctrines developed after actions like the Dieppe Raid. In the Mediterranean Theater it participated in the Operation Husky landings, later transferring to the European Theater for the Battle of Normandy where Rangers scaled the cliffs at Point du Hoc and fought in the Battle of Saint-Lô. Post-war inactivation was followed by reactivation for the Korean War where the battalion conducted raids and reconnaissance in support of Eighth United States Army operations. During the late 20th century the battalion took part in Operation Just Cause in Panama and supported Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm. Following the September 11 attacks the battalion deployed extensively to Afghanistan and Iraq as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, often operating alongside Special Forces, Navy SEALs, and Air Force Special Operations Command units under Joint Special Operations Command tasking.

Organization and Structure

The battalion is one of three Ranger battalions in the 75th Ranger Regiment, organized into a Headquarters and Headquarters Company and multiple rifle companies (A, B, C, etc.), with a Support Company providing mortar, sniper, communications, and logistics capabilities. Command relationships place it under the 75th Ranger Regiment and operational control frequently placed under U.S. Army Special Operations Command or direct tasking by Joint Special Operations Command for contingency operations. The battalion integrates elements such as light infantry platoons, reconnaissance squads, and a fire support element capable of coordinating rotary-wing and fixed-wing assets from organizations including 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta partnerships and liaison with Airborne Command and Control elements.

Training and Selection

Personnel assigned to the battalion typically complete Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and graduate from U.S. Army Ranger School, while many arrive with airborne qualification from Joint Base jump schools and specialized training from Special Operations Medical Training and SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) courses. Pre-deployment exercises often include live-fire training on ranges used by Joint Readiness Training Center rotations, joint interoperability exercises with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare Command, and mission rehearsal with Special Operations Forces Europe or Special Operations Command Central elements. Career progression integrates professional military education such as courses at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy and coordination with U.S. Army War College doctrine.

Combat Operations and Deployments

In World War II, the battalion executed amphibious assaults and cliff assaults including the Husky landings and actions in Normandy at Point du Hoc, sharing operations with units like the 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Infantry Division (United States). During the Korean War it performed raids and reconnaissance in coordination with the X Corps and the Eighth United States Army. In the late 20th century Rangers conducted airborne and air assault operations during Operation Just Cause and security operations during Operation Restore Hope and Operation Uphold Democracy. Post-2001, the battalion deployed repeatedly to Afghanistan provinces such as Kandahar and Helmand and to Iraq for raids in cities like Baghdad and Fallujah, often in joint operations with Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team Six (DEVGRU). Missions have included direct action, airfield seizure, hostage rescue contingencies, and special reconnaissance supporting ISAF and Multinational Force campaigns.

Honors, Awards, and Lineage

The battalion's lineage carries campaign streamers from Sicily, Normandy, Rhineland, and Central Europe during World War II and campaign credits from the Korean War, Southwest Asia campaigns, and multiple Global War on Terrorism campaigns. Individual and unit awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and numerous individual decorations such as the Medal of Honor (awarded to Rangers associated with Ranger operations), Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star recipients among its members. The unit maintains traditions linked to Darby's Rangers and honors historical Rangers commemorated at sites like the National Infantry Museum and Ranger Hall of Honor displays.

Equipment and Insignia

Standard equipment includes current-issue small arms such as the M4 carbine, FN SCAR variants, M110 SASS, designated marksman rifles, squad automatic weapons like the M249 SAW and crew-served weapons including the Mk 19 grenade launcher. Support elements employ rotary-wing platforms such as the Bell UH-1Y Venom and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk in conjunction with fixed-wing close air support from platforms like the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon coordinated by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Insignia includes the battalion scroll within the 75th Ranger Regiment colors, tan beret association with U.S. Army Special Operations Command lineage, and distinctive unit insignia and shoulder sleeve insignia reflecting Ranger heritage and battle honors displayed during ceremonies at Fort Lewis/Joint Base Lewis–McChord.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Army Category:Ranger units of the United States Army Category:United States Army battalions