From the S&S archives:
Unit scales cliffs in a re-enactment of D-Day

POINTE DU HOC, France — Twelve young American Rangers grappled up the cliffs on ropes while blank ammunition detonated around them.

About 100 World War II veterans, their families and several thousand spectators watched the members of the 10th Special Forces from Bad Toelz, Germany, scale the high cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, re-enacting the climb the 2nd Ranger Bn had made 40 years ago.

Their show was almost stolen when later three veteran Rangers attempted the climb, and one reportedly made it to the top.

The' Special Forces re-enactment was not at the original site because, as an Army spokesman said, that would have been more dangerous and less photogenic.

The original event 40 years ago began with the battleship Texas pounding the cliffs with its 14-inch gun.

The Rangers, at that time under the command of Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder, had the job of taking out the big gun at the top of the cliff.

They found, when they reached the top, that the gun had been removed.

It was in the following German counterattack that the Ranger force was cut from 225 to about 90.

On hand for the re-enactment were Army Secretary John O. Marsh Jr., who later unveiled a memorial plaque, several U.S. senators and the local mayor.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band played the French and American national anthems. The honor guard was formed by members of the 2nd Bn, 75th Rangers from Fort Lewis, Wash. — men from the unit that fought in Grenada last year.