As a graduate student at Texas A&M, I walked past Rudder Tower hundreds of time without giving it much thought. I knew Earl Rudder was important in the school’s history. He had been president of the university and the Texas A&M system. However, I didn’t know how important he was to world history. At the time, my head was down, in-route to class, hurriedly trying to finish my master’s degree.
This changed one night when I came across a documentary which recounted the June 6, 1944 Battle for Pointe du Hoc. This was the focal point of the amphibious assault by U.S. Army Rangers along the coast of Normandy, France. It was considered to be one of the single most important defensive positions for Nazi Germany. However, the Germans assumed their position was safe as scaling the 100-foot cliffs would surely be suicidal.
Earl Rudder was born in the geographical center of Texas—the little town of Eden. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1932, he was called into active duty in 1941. As commanding officer, Rudder’s 2nd Ranger Battalion stormed the thin beach at Pointe du Hoc, scaling the cliffs in the dark, while under intense enemy fire. Rudder’s men eradicated the German artillery clearing the way for the Allied Forces on D-Day.
However, the Ranger casualty rate was greater than 50% with Rudder being wounded twice. The 2nd Battalion dug in and successfully established a beachhead for Allied Forces.
After this, Rudder commanded his men at the Battle of Hurtgen wood and the Battle of the Bulge.
I never knew General Rudder, or any of the men that fought with him. Unfortunately, World War II survivors are quite scarce these days. However, we all benefit from their sacrifice each day.
This week, we celebrate the 4th of July. Work will shut down and there will be many opportunities for hotdogs, watermelon, apple pie and fireworks. In honoring our nations birthday, take a step back and recognize the immense sacrifice and investment made over the last 242 years.
Merely being born in this free, capitalist and democratic country, we live a life that is easily better than 95% of the people in the world. That is hard to comprehend—especially since I had nothing to do with the elevated status American’s enjoy.
Often, these freedoms are so commonplace we take them for granted. It is impossible for me to understand what General Rudder, or any soldier, endured in World War II or any other military engagement. The same is true for all first responders.
Obviously, this level of comfort is quite unique relative to the world. Thankfully, someone made an investment of tremendous sacrifice quite some time ago.
Since the Declaration of Independence was signed, there have been millions of Americans who stood tall to give us the life we have today. Many of these protectors were shot at, disabled or killed many years before I was ever conceived. There have been, and will continue to be, easier ways to make a living.
We, as a nation, owe an incredible debt of gratitude to these people. They fight for our country, our people and our freedoms. They understand that freedom is not free and freedom is an investment unlike any other. It is a commitment that has been repeatedly made throughout the years so future generations will have a better life.
And to ensure that it remains, this sacrifice will continue to be made going forward.
As we celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s birth, take a moment to thank those that have served to make our nation great, especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Lastly, although the French are often criticized for a variety of business and political decisions, I’ll give them credit for at least one decision. Since General Rudder’s death in 1970, an annual service has been held in Normandy, France, in his honor.