It is the story of the Rangers, and the battles they fought; it is the story of the creed they live by and the flags that represent all that they stand for.
Who Are the US Army Rangers
The US Army Rangers are an elite light infantry force of the United States Army Special Operations Command that is deployed as an airborne force. They enter the program through the most demanding of all military assessment and training programs, the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, and undergo the tough 61-day Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia to earn the coveted Ranger Tab.
Rangers are taught to work in all environments, sea, land and air and can be called in anywhere in the world with no notice. They conduct direct action raids, airfield seizures, airborne and air assault operations, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism missions as their major missions. They are, according to their own creed, soldiers who come to the front lines of combat and are expected to go farther, faster and fight harder than other soldiers.
Sua Sponte: Of Their Own Accord
The 75th Ranger Regiment has two mottos that represent its soul. The first, Sua Sponte ("Of Their Own Accord"), is the motto that means every Ranger serves voluntarily, fully aware of the challenges and risks involved. The second is the battle-cry that was heard in Normandy: Rangers Lead the Way!
These are no empty promises. To the men and women who wear the Ranger Tab, they are a way of life in one of America's most challenging and decorated military units.
The 75th Ranger Regiment Today
The 75th Ranger Regiment is now composed of four battalions, stationed at Fort Benning, GA; Fort Lewis, WA and Hunter Army Airfield, GA. Rangers are deployed worldwide as part of missions that are on-going special operations and they are continuing the tradition of American military service and embedding the American flag in some of the most dangerous places on earth.
A History Older Than America Itself
From Colonial Rangers to Revolutionary War Heroes
The history of the U.S. Army Rangers goes back before the inception of the United States. In 1676, Benjamin Church, commissioned by the first Ranger force in America, the Colonial military force that fought in King Philip's War. Major Robert Rogers followed in 1751, during the French and Indian War, during which he developed nine Ranger companies and wrote the original 28 Rules of Ranging, which are handed to new Rangers each year today.
In the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress organized eight companies of master riflemen to be Rangers. Daniel Morgan was the commander of the Corps of Rangers. Marion's Partisans were organized by the famous Swamp Fox, Francis Marion. The practice of independent light infantry warfare to defend American liberty dates back to the very birth of America.
Darby's Rangers and the Birth of the Modern Era
The modern Army Rangers were the offspring of World War II. The 1st Ranger Battalion was organised and activated in June of 1942 at Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, to British Commando specifications. Darby's Rangers then saw service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, during which they gained a reputation for ferocity, discipline and extraordinary courage that would be the hallmark of the Rangers for generations.
The 5307th Composite Unit, known as Darby's force, Merrill's Marauders, secured a vital airfield in one of the toughest combat missions in history by marching 1,000 miles through the jungles of Burma, isolating supply lines from the Japanese.
The Most Legendary Ranger Battles in History
D-Day at Pointe du Hoc: Rangers Lead the Way
The 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions were both part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, landing at Omaha Beach. The Rangers were assigned a different task of epic audacity: climb the 90-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and destroy a German gun battery that was aimed at the beachhead while it was under fire from the Allies.
Here, during some of the most vicious fighting along the beaches, the words of Brigadier General Norman Cota to Major Max Schneider of the 5th Rangers became the Ranger motto forever: "Well, goddamnit, if you're Rangers, lead the way!" The Rangers did just that and the motto was born.
The Battle of Mogadishu and Task Force Ranger
Task Force Ranger deployed to Somalia in October, 1993, as part of Operation Gothic Serpent. On October 3rd, Rangers of the 3rd Battalion made a daring day-time raid in conjunction with Delta Force that was almost as protracted as an 18-hour battle in urban combat since Vietnam. The Battle of Mogadishu became the stuff of legend in the book and film Black Hawk Down, in which Rangers took on almost heroic proportions when they were outnumbered and outgunned in a hostile city and never left a fallen comrade behind.
The Ranger Creed: The Values Behind the Flag
The Ranger Creed is a statement of military values that is one of the finest that has ever been written. It requires mental alertness, physical strength and moral rectitude for each Ranger. It says that a Ranger will never abandon his comrades and will never surrender and will never leave a dead comrade to the enemy.
One of the last six words in the creed encapsulates all that represents the Rangers: Rangers, Lead the Way.
They are part and parcel of the flag that the Rangers fight under. The American flag is not only the symbol of a country, but of the values of freedom, courage and sacrifice that the Ranger Creed expects from every person who has sought to serve in the armed forces.
The Flags That Rangers Fight For and Under
The US Army Flag and Military Branch Flags
Each Ranger carries flags consisting of a chain of command, a unit and a national flag. The US Army flag features the year 1775 on the white field, along with the Army seal, which are hallmarks of the institution known for its Rangers' program of training and deployment.
The 75th Ranger Regiment proudly wears its colors, a history of honor and battle streamers for every major battle since World War II until the present day, into the Global War on Terror. These flags are not for decoration. They are the accounts of sacrifice that were lived by the men and women who were carried by them into battle.
How to Honor Army Rangers With the Right Flag Display
One of the best ways to show respect to these amazing men and women is to fly the appropriate flags, particularly for families of Rangers, veterans and Americans. Hang the American flag with the US Army flag in your house or business. Place POW MIA flag to remember those Rangers who never returned. On major military days such as Purple Heart Day (August 7) and other military days, fly flags at full staff as a sign of respect to those serving.
As one of the premier flag companies in St. Louis, Missouri and proudly serving the customers they represent since 1908, Baldwin Flags boasts an extensive line of high quality military flags, Army flags, branch flags, POW MIA flags and custom military banners.
Where to Find Premium Military Flags to Honor Our Rangers
The Rangers are worthy of flags as good as their service in the battle up Pointe du Hoc, down the streets of Mogadishu, and past the Afghan and Iraqi mountains.
Baldwin Flags manufactures superior nylon military flags featuring fade-resistant colors, reinforced stitching and brass grommets for quality and longevity in outdoor and indoor settings. Baldwin Flags, an active U.S. Military Reserves operated company, offers a first-hand understanding of military service in all of our flags.
Looking to pay tribute to the Rangers and their flags they defend? Shop our wide variety of military flags at baldwinflags or contact us at +1 (314) 535-2800 or sales@baldwinflags.com to view our full collection today.
FAQs About the US Army Rangers and Military Flags
When were the US Army Rangers officially established?
The modern Army Rangers were established in June 1942 with the activation of the 1st Ranger Battalion by Major William O. Darby. However, Ranger history traces back to 1676 with Captain Benjamin Church's first Ranger force in Colonial America.
What does Sua Sponte mean?
Sua Sponte is Latin for "Of Their Own Accord," reflecting the voluntary nature of Ranger service. Every Ranger chooses this path knowing the extraordinary demands and dangers it involves.
Where is the 75th Ranger Regiment headquartered?
The 75th Ranger Regiment is headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia, with additional battalions at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.
Where can I buy Army and military flags to honor the Rangers?
Baldwin Flags carries a full range of premium military flags including the US Army flag, POW MIA flag, and military branch flags. Visit www.baldwinflags.com or call plus one three one four five three five two eight zero zero to order today.
US Army Rangers: The Dogs of War and the Flags They Fight For