Ralph E. Goranson, 93, of Libertyville, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
He was born July 4, 1919, in Chicago and was a 29-year resident of Libertyville and a former resident of Gurnee and Avon Park, Florida.
Ralph was an Army Ranger and commanding officer of C Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion during the initial assault wave landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day during World War II; actions for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.
He was a member of the Libertyville American Legion Post No. 329, Grace Lutheran Church and was a retired account executive with the E.F. McDonald Company in Chicago.
Surviving are his children, Robert (Valerie) Goranson of Libertyville, Jeffrey (Pat) Goranson of West Peoria, Ill., Sally (James) Dunn of Carpentersville, Nancy Goranson of Fond du Lac, Wis., and Carol Mount of Inverness; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Agnes Goranson; by his wife, Ruth in 2002; by his brother, Jack in 1945; and also by a grandson, Craig Dunn.
Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Rank: Captain
Unit: Commanding Officer Company C, 2nd Ranger Battalion, U.S. Army
Action: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Ralph E. Goranson (0-1299035), Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 6 and 7 June 1944, at Vierville-sur-Mer, France. Captain Goranson landed with his Ranger company at "H" hour on D-Day with the initial assault wave in the invasion of France, in the face of heavy automatic enfilading fire from three different directions and mortar and artillery fire from cliffs overlooking the beach. In spite of extremely heavy casualties, Captain Goranson calmly and courageously reorganized his company and led them in a successful assault upon the enemy positions. He then led his company in an advance to force a junction with the main body of the assault. Though it took ten hours of the heaviest kind of fighting to reach the main body, his men, inspired by his outstanding leadership, continuously advanced until the mission was accomplished. Captain Goranson's heroic actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Details: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 28 (June 20, 1944).
