Leonard G. Lomell, a former member of Company D, 2nd Ranger Battalion, United States Army, served with extraordinary distinction during World War II. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, acting as a platoon leader, he was the first Ranger wounded when his L.C.A. landed on the narrow beach below the 200-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. Despite his wounds, he and his 2nd platoon climbed the cliffs against overwhelming odds and heavy German fire defending Pointe du Hoc. In the assault above, he neutralized a machine gun position, infiltrated two enemy lines of defense, and personally found and destroyed five large 155-mm coastal guns in an alternate position a mile inland from Pointe du Hoc. Those guns had a range of 12 miles and could easily reach the landing beaches and the invasion fleet, and his actions saved many thousands of lives. The mission, which General Omar Bradley called the most dangerous mission of D-Day, was accomplished by 8:30 a.m. that morning. Lomell received the United States Distinguished Service Cross, the French Legion of Honor Medal for valor, and Britain's Military Medal for outstanding valor, and upon discharge as a Lieutenant he was one of the highest decorated Rangers of the war. Afterward, he studied law under the G.I. Bill, became a successful lawyer in Ocean County, New Jersey, and continued to contribute significantly to his community and country.
