Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr., retired, died September 11, somewhat fittingly on the the 21st anniversary of 9/11, at the age of 97. The Army's "Best Ranger Competition" was named for him.
He enlisted in 1943 and served in WWII in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. At the end of the war he was transferred to the 82nd Airborne and went to Officer Candidate School.
Commissioned as a lieutenant in 1950, he then served as a rifle platoon leader with the 187th Airborne Infantry in Korea.
Within the Ranger community, he's best remembered for the implementation of today's Ranger Training Battalion. After Korea, as a captain, he was assigned to Fort Benning's School of Infantry and became an instructor at the Ranger course. This was, of course, prior to the 75th Infantry Regiment becoming the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Vietnam was the third of his three wars. His first of three tours started in 1963; his second was with the 506th Infantry, and his third with the 101st Airborne Division.
After the war, the Army considered reducing the size of the Ranger program. Back at Fort Benning in the early '70s, Grange was made commander of the Ranger Department within the School of Infantry. He was instrumental in helping convince the Army that a strong, standing Ranger program was necessary, and the Ranger Training Battalion was formed.
His last post was as commanding general of the Sixth U.S. Army, from which he retired in 1984 after 41 years of service with the Army. That same year, the "LTG David E. Grange, Jr. Best Ranger Competition" was officially inaugurated in his honor. He is also in the Ranger Hall of Fame.
As if one life dedicated to protecting the United States wasn't enough, LTG Grange's son is retired Major General David L. Grange, who also served as a Ranger and as a squadron commander in the Army Special Operations Command. His grandson, Matthew Grange, is a Ranger School graduate and I believe is still in the service.
The man had a lot of fruit salad on his uniform. An incomplete list of awards and decorations includes:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters
- Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Soldier's Medal
- 28 awards of the Air Medal with Valor
- Bronze Star Medal with Valor and four Oak Leaf Clusters
- Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor
- United States Army Commendation Medal with Valor and four Oak Leaf Clusters
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Purple Heart
- From France, the Legion of Honor, Officer
- From Korea, the Wharang Medal with Gold Star, the Kuksun Medal, and the Cheonsu Medal
- From Vietnam, the Gallantry Cross with two palms and Silver Star, and the Military Honor Medal, First Class
https://www.coffeeordie.com/david-e-grange-rangerThe U.S. Army Ranger Association wrote: For 97 years, this man gave every ounce of his life back to his family, his community, and his country. Through his dedicated service to others, he in turn designed a legacy for us to receive as individuals, as soldiers, and as an entire community. He is THE Standard. The legend of the game. Even in our grief of never seeing him on this side of the Earth, his spirit will always be felt and forever revered. To our Airborne Ranger in the sky, rest now. You’ve led the way.
