Leonard Lomell
U.S. Army soldier and attorney (1920–2011) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell (January 22, 1920 – March 1, 2011) was a highly decorated former United States Army Ranger who served in World War II. He is best known for his actions in the first hours of D-Day at Pointe du Hoc on the coast of Normandy, France.
Leonard G. Lomell | |
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![]() Lomell as a Second Lieutenant | |
Nickname(s) | Bud |
Born | (1920-01-22)January 22, 1920 Brooklyn, New York, US |
Died | March 1, 2011(2011-03-01) (aged 91) Toms River, New Jersey, US |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1942–1945 |
Rank | Second Lieutenant |
Service number | 32269677 |
Unit | D Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion |
Battles/wars | World War II Battle of Normandy Battle of Hurtgen Forest Battle of the Bulge |
Awards | Légion d'honneur Distinguished Service Cross Military Medal Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Spouse(s) | Charlotte Lomell |
Other work | Attorney |
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Pointeduhoc1.jpg/640px-Pointeduhoc1.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/PointduHoc02.jpg/640px-PointduHoc02.jpg)
Pointe du Hoc was the site of the German Army's largest coastal weapons, five 155-millimeter German guns with a 25-kilometre (16 mi) range that endangered the tens of thousands of troops landing on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, and thousands of watercraft in the English Channel supporting the Normandy invasion.[1] Unbeknownst to the Allied intelligence, the Germans had concealed the guns in an orchard, but left them operational and ready to fire.[1] Through skill, courage and "pure luck," Lomell found and quickly disabled all five guns.[2] Lomell was recognized by historian Stephen Ambrose as the single individual—other than Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower—most responsible for the success of D-Day.[3] Six months later, in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, he would again distinguish himself, earning a Silver Star for his heroism and leadership as the 2nd Ranger Battalion captured and held Hill 400. After the war he returned to Ocean County, New Jersey, becoming an attorney in Toms River.