Formed in 1943, 2nd Ranger was almost immediately sent to Great Britain to make their preparations for Operation Neptune, the Allied invasion of France via Normandy. Training was non-stop and very demanding. In support of the invasion, the 2nd was initially tasked in its entirety for the assault on Pointe du Hoc. Many things went against the Rangers during the assault; uncooperative tides put them behind schedule, the ladders brought for the ascension phase of the assault were too short. Undaunted, the Rangers proceeded to hunt down the removed artillery, locating 5 of the six heavy guns they were originally sent to silence and slagging their firing mechanisms with thermite charges. While this was going on, the companies of the 2nd that were intended to be part of the next wave against Pointe du Hoc were instead rerouted to Omaha Beach. After the invasion, the 2nd would see action at the Battle for Brest and the Battle of Huertgen Forest; they would be responsible for leading the assault to take German fortifications on "Hill 400" outside of Bergstein. The medal is complete with the correct and proper case that also contains the lapel pin and ribbon as well as the accompanying original shipping box addressed to Wyder’s mother, Bertha. It is not often that we catalog WWII decorations retaining the original shipping box. Wyder is listed among the wounded suffered by Charlie Company on D-Day and at Bergstein in the included unit history booklet "2nd Ranger Battalion: Roughing It with Charlie" that was distributed after the war (pages 30 and 55). Wyder’s name is hand written on the inside title page. The included 25 June 1944 dated memo indicates that Wyder received his first Purple Heart for wounds received on D-Day, 6 June 1944 and the copy of his 27 October 1945 honorable discharge report confirms campaigns, decorations and citations including the Purple Heart with oak cluster. The size 36R 2nd Rangers service jacket is adorned with staff sergeant rank insignia on both sleeves, 2nd Ranger battalion tab, four overseas stripes (each bar represented six months of service overseas) and one service stripe (awarded for every three years of satisfactory service) on the left sleeve, Ranger diamond patch on the right sleeve, enlisted U.S. and infantry collar disks, Army presidential unit citation on the right breast, awards and decoration ribbons (Army Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, EuropeanAfricanMiddle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead and four stars and American Campaign Medal) on the left breast, and hand marked W-3497 (correlates to Wyder's ID number) on the lining. The jacket comes with an overseas cap, two dress shirts (one made by Bendone and the other by Great Northern) and two ties. The M41 field jacket has a Talon zipper. A standard U.S. Army issued garment at the beginning of the war, the M41 jacket became a widely recognized symbol of the WWII American GI. The German Kriegsmarine flag measures approximately 56x96 inches. An accompanying photo of the flag shows that it was captured by Wyder and his fellow Rangers. With handwritten notations, a 1939 German fold-out map indicates the path Wyder and his fellow Rangers took through the Rhineland. In an 8x32 inch unit photograph of American troops at Fort Dix New Jersey, Wyder appears in the last row. Additional badging, insignia, medals and other personal affects: Army Good Conduct, EuropeanAfricanMiddle Eastern Campaign and American Campaign Medals, Army presidential unit citation and Army Combat Infantry Badge, enlisted U.S. and infantry collar disks. 2nd Ranger Battalion Company E, Ranger first reunion ribbon 1949 and Ranger third reunion match book dated August 1953. This is the only 2nd Rangers complete outfit this consignor has ever seen!

The service jacket is very good with some scattered insect damage. The Bendone dress shirt is very good with some staining. The Great Northern dress shirt and overseas cap are fine. One tie shows some wear. The M41 jacket shows general wear including a couple small holes and some staining as well as four absent buttons (three on the back at the waist and one on the right cuff). The Kriegsmarine flag is fine and shows general wear. This 2nd Ranger D-Day grouping will be a standout exhibit to any American military collection. A must have for the serious World War II collector, especially those specializing in D-Day.