Happy Birthday 1st Ranger Battalion and Help Us Help Ranger Ruggiero

Friday, January 25, 2013

Happy Birthday 1st Ranger Battalion and Help Us Help Ranger Ruggiero

On this date: Jan. 25, 1974 - After Gen. Creighton Abrams directed the activation of the first battalion size Ranger unit since World War II; Headquarters, United States Army Forces Command published General Order 127 directing the activation of the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry. Gen. Abrams in his foresight saw the potential for the betterment of the Army as a whole, within that vision; his charter became a foundation for modern Rangers.

The Abrams Charter:
The Battalion is to be an elite, light and the most proficient infantry in the world. A Battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The Battalion will contain no "hoodlums or brigands," and if the battalion is formed from such persons it will be disbanded. Wherever the Battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.
[source: 75th Ranger Regiment Facebook Page]

Photo: On this date: Jan. 25, 1974 -- After Gen. Creighton Abrams directed the activation of the first battalion size Ranger unit since World War II; Headquarters, United States Army Forces Command published General Order 127 directing the activation of 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry. Gen. Abrams in his foresight saw the potential for the betterment of the Army as a whole, within in that vision; his charter became a foundation for modern Rangers:

The Abrams Charter:
The Battalion is to be an elite, light and the most proficient infantry in the world. A Battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The Battalion will contain no "hoodlums or brigands," and if the battalion is formed from such persons it will be disbanded. Wherever the Battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.

Rangers Lead the Way!

Help Us Help Ranger Ruggiero - or, a Great Ranger Battalion Birthday Present

Recently I interviewed combat historian and author Patrick K. O'Donnell. Following the interview, Patrick told me that a Ranger from the 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War II has not visited the WWII Memorial in DC, nor has he seen the modern day Ranger memorial at Fort Benning. He is also working to fulfill a promise he made to his dying friend, Ranger First Sergeant Len Lomell to see that the 2nd Ranger Battalion receives the Presidential Unit Citation for actions on Hill 400.

This Ranger, Antonio "Tom" Ruggiero is now 93, living in Massachusetts. Following the War, he became a Firefighter. To honor him and his comrades, we have vowed to help him complete his mission. If you are able, make a tax-deductible donation through GallantFew. This link has a special flag that tells us to use these funds to help Ranger Ruggiero, any remaining will be aptly applied to the Darby Project, GallantFew's Ranger veteran mentoring program.

Below is a piece done on Ranger Ruggiero for the 65th anniversary of D-Day.