The Story Behind the Stone | William D. Walsh, Jr.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, our office received a remarkable message from James Leaney, a resident of Rodmell, England, located approximately four miles inland from Newhaven port in East Sussex. While tending his garden, Mr. Leaney discovered a World War II-era American dog tag inscribed with the name William D. Walsh, Jr. Curious about its origins, he reached out to the National Ranger Memorial Foundation for information.
Our research confirmed that the dog tag belonged to Ranger William D. Walsh, Jr., a Technician Fifth Grade who served with Company F, 2nd Ranger Battalion from 1942 to 1945. This extraordinary find, connects directly to the storied history of the 2nd Rangers, who played a critical role in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. Mr. Leaney believes the battalion was likely staged in the Rodmell area, near Newhaven or other coastal ports, as they prepared for their mission to scale the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc and support the invasion of Normandy.
The dog tag, a tangible link to Ranger Walsh’s service, underscores the enduring legacy of the soldiers who trained and fought from England’s shores. A photograph of Ranger Walsh’s tag below tag serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made. We are grateful to Mr. Leaney for sharing this piece of history, which continues to honor the bravery of the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
If you would like to watch a Library of Congress archived video of Ranger Walsh’s oral history, please click this Link https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.56059/
