Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

1st Sgt. Leonard G. Lomell

Second Ranger Battalion

Memorial Plaque with 2nd Ranger Battalion Tab image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., May 11, 2008

1. Memorial Plaque with 2nd Ranger Battalion Tab

Inscription.
Dedicated to 1st Sgt. Leonard G. Lomell, a former member of Company D, 2nd Ranger Battalion, United States Army, World War II, in recongnition of his Distinguished Service to his unit and country. On June 6, 1944, D-Day, 1st Sgt. Lomell, as an acting platoon leader, was the first Ranger wounded as his L.C.A. landed on the narrow beach below the 200-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. Notwithstanding his wounds, he and his 2nd platoon climbed the cliffs despite the overwhelming odds against the success of their mission and the heavy firepower of the many German soldiers defending the fortress known as Pointe du Hoc. Topside in the assault, he neutralized a machine gun position, infiltrated two enemy lines of defense and personally found and destroyed the five large 155-mm (6") coastal guns located in an alternate position a mile inland from Pointe du Hoc. The guns had a range of 12 miles and could easily reach the landing beaches and the invasion armada of ships. Many thousands of lives were saved by 1st Sgt. Lomell's heroic action. The mission, said by General Omar Bradley to be the most dangerous mission of D-Day, was accomplished by 8:30 a.m. that morning.

1st Sgt. Lomell was awarded the United States Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal for valor in America. he also received

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the French Legion of Honor Medal for valor, the highest such award in France. England decorated 1st Sgt. Lomell with its British Military Medal for Outstanding Valor. Upon discharge as a Lieutenant, he was one of the highest decorated Rangers of World War II. Leonard "Bud" Lomell was truly a "citizen soldier." After the war he studied law under the G.I. Bill and became a successful lawyer in our county of Ocean, New Jersey. He continued to contribute significantly to his community and country.

Erected 1999 by The Grateful Citizens of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Military • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 2007.

Location. 40° 5.504′ N, 74° 2.506′ W. Marker is in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, in Ocean County. Marker is at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Freedom Lane, on the left when traveling south on Baltimore Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach NJ 08742, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Point Pleasant Beach World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Samuel Allen (approx. 2.1 miles away); Manasquan Fire Bell

1st Sgt. Leonard G. Lomell - Second Ranger Battalion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., May 11, 2008

2. 1st Sgt. Leonard G. Lomell - Second Ranger Battalion Marker

View of marker from across Purple Heart Park

(approx. 2.2 miles away); Van Wickle Pottery (approx. 2½ miles away); Thomas Black 3rd (approx. 3.2 miles away); Sea Girt Lighthouse (approx. 3.2 miles away); 100th Anniversary of the Sea Girt Lighthouse (approx. 3.2 miles away); Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Leonard Lomell. Military Wiki entry (Submitted on February 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1.
My dad William Henry Mee, Sr. (1-5-1920 to 11-22-2006), grew up with "Bud" Lomell and paddled canoes with him in the bogs of the New Jersey Pine Barrens mainly at Jake's Branch. At that point they were both just ordinary guys----mainly worried about getting a date for the weekend. Who would know the war would come and change them? What a tremendous hero.

Bud Loemmel was featured in Tom Brokaw’s book titled The Greatest Generation, which was turned into an NBC News television segment titled “Greatest Generation with Tom Brokaw.” Bud had a staring role in the television series that my dad was totally in awe of. Loemmel was also in the book Voices of Valor: D-Day June

2nd Lt. Leonard G. Lomell image. Click for full size.

via Military, unknown

3. 2nd Lt. Leonard G. Lomell

6, 1944 by Douglas Brinkley and Ronald Drez, a book I bought my father for his birthday. On the back cover a picture of twenty-four year old First Sergeant ‘Len’ Lommel appears in 1944. My dad was really proud of his friend, a guy he use to canoe with in Jake’s Branch (a creek near Toms River, New Jersey), someone who shared his birth month and year, and later profession as an attorney. 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

— Submitted September 18, 2013, by William H Mee of Santa Fe, New Mexico, usa.

Grappling hook attachment to marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., May 11, 2008

4. Grappling hook attachment to marker

It is unusual to see a World War II marker with a grappling hook. Typically, a rifle, gun, cannon, or other weapon is used, if any are used at all.

Alternate view of grappling hook image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C., May 11, 2008

5. Alternate view of grappling hook

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,294 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 3. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.