Major General John Raaen, Jr: Part 2

Most of us can only imagine the events that took place on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Major General Raaen, Jr. doesn’t imagine as he was there. General Raaen continues his recount of D-Day in Part 2 of his interview with Kim. Courage, bravery, fearlessness and heroism are a few words that come to mind as General Raaen recalls the first day events with extreme clarity. Major General Raaen served as a captain with the 5th Ranger Battalion at this time. His story includes continuous changes in orders, near death, the addition of “scissors” on tanks to overcome the hedgerows and humor as a General remarks to him on the beach, “You must be Jack’s so.” General Raaen describes retrieving a jeep on the beach to transport abandoned ammunition for the troops as “Thrilling” while the Germans are firing directly at him General Raaen concludes, “Our troops performed, and it was all training. If you improvise to accomplish a goal, that is how you win a war.” General Raaen is inspirational in his remarks and we can all learn our history and understand character by listening to his interview with Kim.

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