Richard Reiben

Private First Class Richard Reiben
Information
Rank	Private
Affiliation(s)	United States Army 2nd Rangers Battalion, Company C
Birth	Brooklyn, New York City, approx. 1919
Death	Unknown
Weapon	Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)

Private First Class Richard Reiben was an American soldier serving in the 2nd Rangers Battalion of the United States Army and held the rank of Private. He was from Brooklyn, New York City, as shown written proudly on the back of his jacket. While in service, he smoked cigars instead of the standard cigarettes usually given to infantrymen.

Biography

War at Home

On the day that Richard Reiben was to leave for Basic Training, he had a memorable encounter with Mrs. Rachel Troubowitz, the wife of his building's superintendent, in which he was admiring her rather large breasts, and upon her noticing, told him to think of her breasts if he were to ever find himself frightened while fighting in the war.

Joining the Army and D-day invasion

Reiben would go on to volunteer for the Army Rangers and was with Charlie Company of the 2nd Ranger Battalion on June 6th, 1944. He almost drowned after his BAR pulled him down, forcing him to discard the weapon. Reiben survived the costly assault on Omaha Beach after finding another gun and assisting in taking the bunkers.

Searching For Ryan

He was later hand-picked by Captain John H. Miller to participate in a mission to find and return Private James Ryan, a paratrooper whose three brothers had been killed in combat.

Reiben was the first member of the squad to question the logic of their orders, and was the most vocal in expressing his displeasure at the risky mission. During the attack their medic Wade was mortally wounded. Instead of helping his friend, he proceed to let out frustration by heavily beating the Germam who shot the medic; only stopping when ordered to by Miller. The death of Private Caparzo in Neuville, and the death of Medic Wade during an attack on a machine gun nest, caused to finally lose his cool, furthered by when Miller allowing a german prisoner go free in the hope that he would be picked up by Allied forces. An angry Reiben, yelling at Miller, was confronted by Sergeant Horvath, who drew his sidearm and threatened to shoot Reiben if he did not comply with Miller's orders. Watching events calmly, Miller diffused the situation by revealing that he was a schoolteacher, a revelation that took the squad by surprise. After finally revealing some of his personal life to his men, Miller told Reiben that he would sign the necessary papers to transfer him to another unit. Seeing the human side of Miller, Reiben rejoined the squad and helped his comrades bury Wade.

The Battle of Ramelle

Once Private Ryan was finally found in the village of Ramelle on June 13th, he refused to go with them to which led Reiben to shout at him "Hey asshole! Two of our guys already died trying to find you!" Depsite trying this Ryan still objected to stay. Miller and his squad decided to help Ryan and the other paratroopers defend the village against an expected German attack. Reiben saved Ryan's life by getting him out of the way of a tank aiming at him. Rangers and paratroopers fought side by side in the streets of Ramelle, and everyone in Miller's squad, with the exception of Reiben and Corporal Upham, were killed in action. Searching Miller's body, Reiben retrieved a letter that Caparzo had written to his father, a letter that had been passed from one dead soldier to another, and finally to Reiben.

He showed great sympathy and sadness at Miller's death, unable to keep looking at the soldiers corpse and having to turn away.

Gallery

Reiben being lectured by Miller.

Reiben flees from the Germam infantry with Horvath.

Reiben argues with Horvath.

Reiben's face close up

Reiben shouts his opposition to the mission at Miller.