following shared by Vicki Graves Jones from Fighting Men of Arkansas "Bill" Willis Charles Caperton served his country as a Rudder Ranger. He took part in the D-Day landings of the United States Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion. His U.S. Army Rangers stormed the beach at Pointe du Hoc and, under constant enemy fire, scaled 100-foot (30 meter) cliffs to reach and destroy German gun batteries. The battalion's casualty rate for this perilous mission was greater than 50 percent. Rudder's Rangers dug in and fought off German counter-attacks for two days until relieved. Rudder and his men helped to successfully establish a beachhead for the Allied forces. Unfortunately, "Bill" Willis Charles Caperton lost his life in service to his country on D-Day storming the beach of Normandy France with his battalion. Gina Renee Caperton 2nd Ranger Battalion From Wikipedia On 1 April 1943 the 2nd Ranger Battalion was formed at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, along with the 5th Ranger Battalion. Both battalions were officially activated in September 1943 and shipped to Great Britain where they were prepared for Operation Overlord as part of six Ranger battalions of the Second World War. On 6 June 1944, Dog, Easy, and Fox Companies, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, landed at Pointe du Hoc from LCA landing craft and specially modified DUKW "Ducks" operated by the Royal Navy. The 225 Rangers had set off from Britain to launch an assault upon the cliffs overlooking the English Channel. In order to augment the strength of the 2nd Battalion, members of the Provisional Ranger Group were assigned as well. Several landing craft containing Rangers and supplies capsized in the stormy waters and many Rangers drowned due to heavy equipment, but others were saved and hoisted into other DUKWs to participate in the attack. The Rangers had planned to land at the base of the cliffs at 0600 hours, however, because of a navigational error, they landed nearly an hour late. This cost the lives of more Rangers as well as the element of surprise. During the attack, the 190 remaining Rangers scaled the cliffs utilizing rope ladders, but only 90 Rangers were still able to bear arms after two days of relentless fighting. During the assault, 2nd Battalion managed to achieve their primary objective, disabling a battery of 155mm French artillery captured by the Germans. These guns were to be aimed at Utah Beach, however, the Rangers prevented their use, saving American lives on the shores of Normandy. Meanwhile, Able, Baker, and Charlie Companies landed along with the 5th Rangers, the 1st Infantry Division, and the 29th Infantry Division at Omaha Beach. They suffered extremely heavy casualties but were able to complete their D-Day objectives. Able suffered up to 96% casualties with just two men making it off the beaches.[1] The 2nd Rangers were later involved in the Battle for Brest and the Battle of Hürtgen Forest where they led the assault on Hill 400, Bergstein. The battalion was deactivated after the war, together with the 5th and 6th Battalion. Find A Grave - Willis "Bill" Caperton proposed marriage and became engaged before leaving for the war. His life ended before he could wed. He was first interred in France but was later moved to Cross Cemetery in Greenwood, Sebastian County, Arkansas. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Caperton and Vera Starnes Caperton of Greenwood, Arkansas. As noted in a document dated July 11, 1944 to Andrew Caperton, father of Willis C. Caperton, his remains were initially interred in the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Laurent, plot Q, row 8, grave 147, prior to his final interment at Cross Cemtery, Greenwood, Sebastian county, Arkansas. St. Laurent Cemetery was established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. HonorsState.Org Willis Charles Caperton was born August 21, 1921 in Arkoma, Okla. and died June 6, 1944 in Caen, France Caperton had the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. Service number assignment was 36610503. Attached to Company C, 2nd Ranger Battalion. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice for his country.