Biddle

S/Sgt Biddle was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company A, 2nd Ranger Battalion. On the morning of June 6, 1944, Company A was lowered into landing craft at 0615 as part of a force originally bound for Pointe du Hoc, but when that landing was called off at 0700, the men came ashore instead on Omaha Beach at 0745, straight into machine-gun and mortar fire so heavy that many had to wade and float ashore under fire before gaining their footing. Company A was among the first ashore to fight up the bluff, knocking out the machine gun that had killed their commanding officer, and a small group of seven men from Companies A and B pressed on to complete their assigned mission before linking up with the 5th Ranger Battalion. The rest of the company reorganized in reserve and moved through Vierville-sur-Mer to dig in for the night, while one separated platoon fought its own way through the town, capturing and killing German soldiers along the route, before finally reaching Pointe du Hoc and making contact with the 5th Rangers around 2200 hours that night. S/Sgt Biddle was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.