In loving memory of Ranger Thomas Herring-30 May 2005

"C" Company, 5th Ranger Battalion, World War II

A Ranger who led the way

Service at Arlington National Cemetery:

2:00pm Tuesday August 2, 2005

1:30pm Meet at the Main Office

Inurnment at Arlington with Full Military Honors

Please let Frank South and/or Jane Herring know

that you are coming. We are trying to arrange

for a reception following, but need a head count.

Email Frank South at:

fsouth@UDel.Edu

Hotel: Holiday Inn

2650 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 22202

Phone: 703 684-7200

(Ask for funeral rate of $119 plus tx

in block of rooms under "Tom Herring")

$10 parking w/in and out privileges

Free shuttle to/from Ronald Reagan Airport

Airport is 1 mi from Hotel
Arlington Cemetery is 2 miles

Donations may be sent to:

Ranger Memorial Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 53369
Ft. Benning, GA 31995-3369

Ranger Thomas E Herring is identified as an Honorary Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment for his outstanding service as a Ranger during World War II, as an original member of the 5th Ranger Battalion, and for his dedicated service as National and Chapter Secretary, Ranger Battalions Association, WWII; President and Executive Vice President, U.S. Army Ranger Association.

Ranger Herring joined the 5th Ranger Battalion when it was activated at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, September 1943. He was a Mortar Squad Leader when he hit the beach at Normandy where the motto,

"Rangers Lead The Way"

originated and fought with the battalion in all of its major campaigns. He was hospitalized in November 1944 and forced to leave the battalion. Ranger Herring was discharged from the Army in February 1945.

Following WWII, like many returning veterans, Tom Herring entered college under the GI Bill. He graduated from the University of Florida as a Graduate Engineer in February 1950. He worked in international construction for 40 years, retiring as an Estimating Manager responsible for major construction projects from $1 million to over $300 million dollars. In his construction career, Herring worked in 38 countries throughout the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

Ranger Herring has given his talents and dedication to the Ranger community by serving as Ranger Battalions WWII Chapter Secretary since 1986 and its National Secretary since 1995. During 1988 through 1990, he demonstrated even more outstanding leadership ability while serving as President, U.S. Army Ranger Association and is considered to be the wise mentor of that association's national officers.

Ranger Thomas E. Herring is a living example of the Ranger Creed. His contributions as a young enlisted Ranger who crossed the beaches of Normandy and fought across the continent of Europe in WWII to save the world from tyranny are an indelible part of Ranger heritage and history. Throughout his civilian career and through his leadership positions in two Ranger associations, most especially his assistance in revitalizing the U.S. Army Ranger Association, he has distinguished himself as a Ranger who has the ability to fight on to the Ranger objective, while never leaving a fallen comrade on the field of battle. His everyday service to these Ranger associations reflect that day on the beach when "Rangers Lead The Way" became a way of life.

You will be missed, Ranger Tom!

Rangers Lead the Way!
A more elite soldier who arrived by land or sea ...

photo courtesy of

The Ranger Memorial Foundation

(click on photo to purchase a stone)

outside link

The Ranger Family wishes to

offer condolences to those

Ranger families who had a Ranger

Killed In Action.

Your Ranger is listed on the

WWII Ranger Wall, appropriately

located on Sacrifice Field,

Fort Benning, Georgia.

If we can help you locate Ranger

buddies, or their families, please

photo courtesy S&D

WW II Ranger Wall

Outside links

Ranger Battalions Association of WWII

WWII Memorials and Museums

National D-day Museum and Memorials

http://www.ww2dday.com/dday60.html

World War II Links

Links to Cemetery Sites:

Search for KIA in World War II

Sicily-Rome

Omaha-Flowers of Remembrance

A brief introduction and history

of the exploits of the WW II Rangers

At the time the U.S. became involved in WWII, most of Europe was engulfed and occupied by Nazi German troops. The First Ranger Battalion was formed at the onset of U.S. involvement in this conflict as an elite unit modeled after the British Commandos. They were highly and rigorously trained to attack in the dead of night from the least likely route.

The Rangers were trained in cliff climbing and speed marches enabling them to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines on foot. Their surprise night attacks often followed 30 mile treks deep into enemy territory. They were also trained in amphibious landings where they would infiltrate from the sea.

This highly trained soldier was strictly volunteer. Each was chosen not only on his merits of physical strength and endurance, but also for his intelligence and ability to think on his feet. The Ranger was expected to act independently and also survive on nothing more than his wits, while accomplishing operations miles behind enemy lines.

There were six Ranger Battalions during WWII. Each Battalion was comprised of approximately 500 men. Of the more than 15 million people who served in the armed forces in WWII, only 3000 were Rangers (estimated at 6000-7000 with replacements). Every Ranger sees himself as a part of one unit, the Band of Ranger Brothers.

These men are legends and heroes. If you are the relative of one of these extraordinary Rangers, you are one of the fortunate few. This is a glowing part of your heritage. Be proud!

The U.S. Army Ranger is alive and well in our contemporary military. Today's Rangers are known as the 75th Ranger Regiment and are the first line of defense for the U.S. These Rangers follow in the footsteps of their mentors and heroes, the WWII Rangers. Today's soldier carries the responsibility to uphold the tradition and integrity of their WWII counterparts. They do so with honor, pride, and privilege.

A brief history of each Battalion is included on this web site to help you realize the significant role your Ranger's Battalion played in WWII. The S&D wishes to thank the Rangers who have summarized each Battalion's history as only a Ranger can. We are honored to have these histories in their own words and wish to thank each of them for the time they put into documenting them.

Special Note:

We have discovered another Ranger

site with a similar web address to ours.

Ironically...it is the home of the

75th Ranger Regiment Family.

Ours is: www.RangerFamily.org

(World War II Ranger Family)

Theirs is: www.RangerFamilies.org

(75th Ranger Regiment Families)

This website is dedicated to the World War II Rangers by their proud Sons&Daughters. Our purpose is to support our Rangers and also to educate, inform, locate, and unite Ranger families.

Mailing Address:

Webmaster Ranger Mail

PO Box 57

Chanhassen, MN 55317