S8 Ep980: Author Patrick K. O'Donnell discusses his extensive research into the Second Ranger Battalion, specifically focusing on the personal legacies and oral histories of the men of Dog Company. His work is based on thousands of interviews and archival docum

Author Patrick K. O'Donnell discusses his extensive research into the Second Ranger Battalion, specifically focusing on the personal legacies and oral histories of the men of Dog Company. His work is based on thousands of interviews and archival documents, often initiated by a personal request from veteran Len Lamel to tell their story. The source profiles key figures, such as James Rudder, a former football coach who took command of the D-Day assault after relieving a predecessor who deemed the mission suicidal. Rudder later became the president of Texas A&M University. Another prominent figure is "Reggie," a former tap dancer and the shortest man in the company, who eventually served as the fire chief of Plymouth. The narrative also touches on Duke Slater, who later fought in the Korean War and became a prisoner of war. A symbolic moment occurred during the 40th anniversary of D-Day in 1984, where veteran Herman Stein scaled the cliffs again at age seventy. President Ronald Reagan highlighted these men as examples of American resilience and the ability of small groups to shape history. O'Donnell's mission is to preserve the "can-do" spirit of these elite soldiers. 81944