A U.S. Army Ranger assigned to the elite 75th Ranger

A U.S. Army Ranger assigned to the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, rehearses his ascent of the battle worn cliff-face of Pointe du Hoc on the northwestern coast of Normandy, France, June 4, 2019. During the American assault of Omaha and Utah beaches on June 4, 1944, U.S. Army Rangers scaled the 100-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. At a high cost of life, they successfully defended against determined German counterattacks.
More than 1,300 U.S. Service Members, partnered with 950 troops from across Europe and Canada, have converged in northwestern France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the WWII Allied Invasion of Normandy, commonly known as D-Day. Upwards of 80 ceremonies in 40 French communities in the region will take place between June 1-9, 2019, the apex being held June 6th at the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.