Landing with the First Wave: Major General John Raaen at Omaha Beach
On the morning of 6 June 1944, the waves that reached Omaha Beach carried some of the most determined and heavily trained soldiers of World War II. Among them was John Raaen, then a Captain and Headquarters Company Commander of the newly formed 5th Ranger Battalion. His actions that day would earn him the Silver Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge, and his story stands as a vivid example of leadership under fire.
Raaen’s military career began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1943 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. In October of that year he was assigned to the 5th Ranger Battalion, a unit created for specialized assault operations. The Rangers underwent rigorous preparation in Florida, followed by further training in England and Scotland—training that focused on amphibious landings, assault tactics, and small-unit cohesion.
In the early hours of D-Day, Captain Raaen and the 5th Rangers were part of the assault on Omaha Beach. As Headquarters Company Commander, Raaen landed in the first wave and quickly found himself in the crucible of combat. Facing intense artillery, machine-gun fire, and chaotic terrain, he performed duties that required rapid decision-making, coordination of troops, and tactical initiative. These actions during his first combat experience were recognized with the Silver Star for gallantry and the Combat Infantryman Badge for frontline infantry service.
Key moments in Raaen’s D-Day involvement
- Graduated West Point and commissioned in 1943; assigned to 5th Rangers in October 1943.
- Underwent amphibious and Ranger training in Florida, England, and Scotland.
- Landed in the first wave at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 as Headquarters Company Commander.
- Distinguished himself under heavy enemy fire; awarded the Silver Star and Combat Infantryman Badge.
- Recognized today as the last known surviving Army officer to have landed in the first wave on D-Day.
“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” – Patrick Henry
Raaen’s experience exemplifies the combination of training, leadership, and personal courage that defined many Allied leaders on D-Day. His role as a headquarters commander in the first wave placed him at the intersection of planning and execution—coordinating men under fire while adapting to the unfolding reality on the beach.
Remembering figures like Major General John Raaen is important for preserving the human dimension of historic events. D-Day was not only a strategic turning point but also a collection of individual acts of resolve. Raaen’s decorations and his survival through that first day of combat make him a living link to the sacrifices and leadership that helped secure the Allied foothold in Normandy.
Today, his story continues to remind new generations of the cost of freedom and the qualities required of those who lead in moments of crisis: vigilance, activity, and bravery.
