They Fought in the Bloodiest Battles of World War II
By Nick Lamberto
Many of them came from Iowa communities; some had never traveled beyond the next farm or a neighboring city or town before they joined the Army.
But before the end of World War II, these same men – members of the U.S. Army Rangers – had participated in seven invasions, leaving a trail of bravery and blood from the sands of North Africa and the scraggy cliffs of Normandy to the jungle trails of Luzon in the Phillippines.
[excerpted]
Ranger Dean Hooker, of Des Moines, visited the grave of his brother, John, at Venafro, Italy, after John was killed Nov. 11, 1943.
Source: The DesMoines Register, Sunday, July 27, 1975 - page 21 (photo included)
