OMAHA BEACH: Last Living 1st Wave D-Day Officer on Storming Normandy | John C. Raaen
In this epic two-part D-Day interview we speak with the last living Army Ranger Officer who was amongst the first to hit the beaches on June 6, 1944 and break into Fortress Europe.
John C. Raaen, Jr., graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1943. Commissioned as a 2nd. Lt. in the Corps of Engineers, he joined the newly activated 5th Ranger Battalion where he underwent extensive training in Florida, England, and finally Scotland in preparation for the invasion of occupied Europe.
On June 6, 1944, Raaen and his rangers were supposed to follow the 2nd Ranger Battalion and attack Pointe du Hoc, but delays and miscommunication saw Raaen and his Rangers rerouted directly to Omaha Beach. The 5th Rangers landed intact as a battalion and thus became the dominant influence on Omaha Dog Beach.
During his first time in combat, Raaen, who was an Army Captain at the time, distinguished himself on the beaches of Normandy France. He was awarded the Silver Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his actions on that day.
Part II of General Raaen's interview will be released on 06/13/2023
Interview recorded on February 15, 2023
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