WWII Army Rangers Honored with a Congressional Gold Medal

By Amanda Crastz-Flores
July 1, 2025

“Rangers Lead the Way!” Those words resounded on June 26, 2025, at a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony held at Emancipation Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Members of the public and lawmakers gathered to recognize the extraordinary service of the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II.

The ceremony commenced when House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with other members of Congress, escorted two of the five surviving Army Rangers Veterans--Sgt. Joe Drake and Pfc. John Wardell--into the hall.

Members of Congress reflected on their efforts to recognize these great heroes.

“This band of brothers is so deserving, and this day, to be frank, is long overdue,” Johnson said.

Both Sgt. Drake and Pfc. Wardell accepted the recognition on behalf of all United States Army Rangers veterans. Additionally, the Hon. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and the Hon. Douglas A. Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, offered words of thanks and appreciation for the special recognition of the honored veterans.

Defense Secretary Hegseth said, “I want to thank all those who made this ceremony possible, who put the spotlight precisely where it belongs. There are heroes among us, ordinary people that did extraordinary things. Find ways, whether it is a congressional gold medal or in your local town, to shine a spotlight on them and remind future generations of how special service is, how important courage is, how important service and love of country is.”

Veterans Affairs Secretary Collins added, “the Congressional Gold Medal is your stone of remembrance. Your sacrifice to this nation will never be forgotten. Congratulations, Rangers.”

The obverse (heads) design features a group of Rangers disembarking a Landing Craft Assault (LCA) and bravely charging a beach astride the inscription of their motto, “RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!” The seven Ranger combat landings are separated by elongated diamonds and create a border with the inscriptions “ANZIO,” “SALERNO,” “NORMANDY,” “ARZEW,” “LICATA,” “GELA,” “LEYTE GULF,” and “WORLD WAR II.” Artistic Infusion Program Designer Ben Sowards created the obverse design and United States Mint Medallic Artist Joseph V. Noorigian, who attended the ceremony, sculpted it.

The reverse (tails) design features a Presidential Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, Ranger scrolls representing the six Ranger Battalions and the 29th Provisional Ranger Battalion, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the iconic Fairbairn-Skyes commando knife. Featured along the border are the locations where Rangers led operations in North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, and earned eight Presidential Unit Citations. The inscriptions are “OMAHA BEACH,” “CABANATUAN,” “EL GUETTAR,” “CHIUNZI PASS,” “SAAR RIVER,” “POINTE DU HOC,” “1942,” and “1945.” Artistic Infusion Program Designer Ron Sanders created the reverse design and United States Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon sculpted it.

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation's highest civilian awards, recognizing distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions.

Bronze replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to U.S. Army Rangers Veterans of WWII—made in both 1.5-inch and 3-inch in diameter in matte finish and with a plain edge—are now available for purchase through the Mint’s product page.

To watch the entire ceremony, visit Speaker Johnson’s YouTube channel here.

See more Inside the Mint articles.