On this celebration of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, I felt it important to recall the most extraordinary act that American servicemen undertook that day, the scaling of the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. Translated, "pointe du hoc" means merely "Hook Point" but its significance is far more vast than the simple translation implies.Pointe du Hoc was a towering cliff about 100 feet tall at its zenith and, more importantly, it overlooked both of the primary Amerian landings at Omaha and Utah Beaches. The Germans had built six casemates and housed a battery of 155 mm guns which would have the capability of wreaking havoc in both directions. It was essential that Pointe du Hoc be taken out of action as early as possible on D-Day.
The 2nd Rangers did just that. Amid withering fire, with Germans dropping grenades over the cliff edge, the Rangers scaled Pointe du Hoc and gained a strong position. Although they held down the German defenders, they suffered considerable losses for the next 24 hours from counterattacks until a breakthrough from the rear by the Army 116th Division.
Close your eyes, imagine their sheer bravery, and place yourself in their shoes. All hell breaking loose on the beaches, hostile Germans up above, and your duty is to climb up a rope ladder and go on the offensive. Individual stories of astounding acts abound; one I relish is that when the Germans began casting the grappling hooks over the side, some of the Rangers used their bayonets to make a stepladder up the cliff wall. No one gave up or hunkered down at the base waiting for relief or another route.
On the 40th anniversary of D-Day, President Ronald Reagan dedicated his country's address that days to the "Boys of Pointe du Hoc." The video is embedded below. If anyone believes that the price of freedom is not dear, and that peace can be maintained solely by diplomacy and speeches in the U.N., I ask you to listen to our former President's words, perhaps the most eloquent he spoke during his eight years in office.
