Texas Marker at Pointe Du Hoc Bunker

A small state of Texas plaque hangs on the wall down inside a burned and bombed-out World War II bunker in Normandy. This marker is dedicated to Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder, who led his men heroically on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Hailing from Brady, Texas (where he later served as mayor), the lieutenant colonel bravely stormed the beach with companies D, E, and F, climbed the cliffs, and neutralized a German battery and bunkers while be under intense fire the entire time.

The US Army credits Rudder and his men with the success of the mission. The heavily damaged bunker, and many others, are still standing today and offer thousands of visitors a change to explore the area. Bomb and blast damage can be seen in the concrete, and scorched ceiling timbers (burned from flame throwers) are also visible.

Walking around and down into these bunkers can be a chilling experience. World War II may have lasted for many more years if it weren’t for the sacrifice of the brave soldiers on June 6, 1944.