Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 006, folder 11: Charles D. W. Canham

CANHAM, Maj Gen Charles D. W. Mo 1 BOX 6, #11

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For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day MO-1 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? Charles D. W. Canham, Major General

What was your unit and division? 116 th R. C. T. , 29 th Inf Div , attached to 1 st Inf Div for Invasion .

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach 0730 hrs, June 6, 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Colonel, Infantry

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 43 yrs.

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Alma B. Canham

Did you have any children at that time? Yes - 3 sons

What do you do now? Command XI U. S. Army Corps (Reserve)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Late January '44

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? Smooth crossing. Everyone was watching air cover and Naval Escort . After dinner everybody went to bed early.

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). No special rumors . Everyone was anxious to get ashore and get the job done.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Charles D. W. Canham

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No diary. There wasn't time or inclination.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes - many.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? ?No. I visited all A.P.A.'s in my RCT prior to departure and wished them all luck.

Were you wounded ? Yes - about ten minutes after landing.

Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were you so surprised that you felt nothing? Yes. It was hot as hell.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? No. Not D-Day morning. It was anything but funny.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, several.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Charles D. W. Canham

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-relianoe; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either? Yes.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On board ship in transport docking area.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In a field 2000 yds from Vierville Sur Mer in Normandy.

Do you know of anybody else who landed within those 24 hours (midnight June 5 to midnight June 6) as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Colonel Archie Sproul Staunton, Virginia

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM, FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 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 5/9/58 Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH, MILITARY PERSONNEL DIVISION, AGO. RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT Initials D.R. Date 11-3-44

Last Name First Name Middle Initial Serial No. Grade CANHAM CHARLES D.W. 016496 COL.

Organization Foreign Others 116TH INF

Headquarters Station or APO G.O. No. Section Date FIRST U.S. ARMY 230 29 I 29 June 1944

Type of Award Posthumous DO NOT WRITE IN COLUMN BELOW DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS NO

Oak-Leaf Clusters Number Posthumous

By Command of Amended Revoked MAJ. GEN. W.B. KEAN

CITATION

For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944 in ****. Colonel Canham landed on the beach shortly after the assault wave of troops had landed. At the time, the enemy fire was at its heaviest and had completaly arrested the attack. Though wounded shortly after landing, Colonel Canham, with utter disregard for his own safety, continued to expose himself to the enemy fire in his efforts to reorganize the men. His personal bravery and determination so inspired and heartened the men that they were able to break through the enemy positions. The gallantry and outstanding leadership demonstrated by Colonel Canham reflects great credit on himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

WD AGO Form No. 079 File in Enlisted Branch