ENPages
Page 2
(inserted) VA 38 Staunton, VA. Nothing(end of inserted) For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? Louis M. Armstrong
What was your unit and division? Co. L, 116th INf. , 29th Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? OMaha Beach, June, 6, 1994, about 0400
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? T/Sgt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 29 yrs. old.
Were you married at that time? yes
What is your wife's name? Iler J. Armstrong
Did you have any children at that time ? No
What do you do now? Post Office Clerk
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? I don't remember for sure, we had trained for it for a long time
What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time ? The trip was rough and we were crowded on the boat. We passed the time mostly by going over the comming operation and seeing that our equipment was in good shape.
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in ). none that I remember now
Page 3
- for Cornelius Ryan 2 ~ Your name Louise M. Armstrong
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? no
Were you wounded? Not on June 6
Do you remember what it was like —that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? No
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? No
Page 4
- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Louis M. Armstrong
In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day ? Not that I recall now. All the men that was'nt killed or wounded did thier job well.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944 ? About a mile inshore
"Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Between Omaha Beach and Guard Camp?
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops , or who took part in the air and sea operations , whom we should write to ?
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. FULL STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED ’’WHERE THEY ARE NOW; ” YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Cornelius Ryan
Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest