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| 2nd Lt Lomell |
The Rangers were tasked on D Day to climb an 85-100 foot cliff in order to reach German gun emplacements that reportedly housed at least 6 of the high powered guns. The range on these weapons was about 25,000 yards. Those guns could decimate the landing forces and put the outcome of the D Day invasion at risk.
But when 2nd Battalion reached the top of the cliff, the guns weren't there. Lomell was First Sergeant and acting commander of D Company. His landing craft was late hitting the beach, and he was wounded when he and his men hit the shore at the bottom of the cliff. He and his men climbed the cliff and then took up positions along the coastal highway.
Once his Rangers were in place, Sgt Lomell led a patrol with Staff Sergeant Jack Kuhn. While on the patrol, they found the missing 155mm guns and disabled them with thermite grenades.
After a battlefield promotion to 2nd lieutenant, Lomell led a successful attack and then defense of a strategic hill in December 1944. He was wounded again, but managed to silence a German machine gun nest, repeatedly repel German counter attacks against his positions, and force the surrender of the enemy despite his forces being heavily outnumbered. Lomell was praised for his judgment and grasp of the strategic situation, which certainly saved lives.
He was wounded a third time during the Battle of the Bulge.
Bud Lomell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, the French Legion d'honneur, the British Military Medal, and three Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in combat. He is a member of the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame.
Stand down, Sir, and rest easy.
Leonard G Lomell (22 January 1920 - 1 March 2011)
"Bud"
Sua Sponte
(Of Their Own Accord)
