Pointe-du-Hoc was a strategic cliff-top located between Utah and Omaha beaches. There were German guns and units on top of Pointe-du-Hoc that threatened the landing forces on both Utah and Omaha beaches during the invasion. Therefore it was crucial that an elite Ranger group, under the leadership of Colonel James Rudder, attack and take Pointe-du-Hoc and knock out the German guns.

The Rangers bravely climbed the 100 ft. cliff and attacked the German position under heavy gunfire. The German guns they were trying to knock out were actually farther back than originally thought. Even though they fought very hard to take the German position, they had to wait for armor support to come up from Omaha beach on the second day to finally defeat the Germans at Pointe-du-Hoc.