Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 006, folder 23: Edward Marcellus Gearing

11 - 12 at crossroads Vierville - just about dark - heard group coming up road. "Halt - give password" Canham, arm in shirt. [crossed out] "Thats [end crossed out] "Thank God I've finally found 1st Batt" To Farmhouse to Metcalfe "we must get to Pointe du Hoc" Patrol of C set out got about

always carried a phosphorous grenade to lay his own smoke group

14 men left of A Co. No NCO's No officers - only one left. Lance was wounded the rest officers were killed.

B Co had only 25 C Co 14

He shouted down to Metcalfe. "They're [?telling?] us to surrender to the Americans" Dallas, a big, robust, loud God damn Tell those Sob's to "stop the firing." But it continued on for sometime.

gather as men as possible

Got wounded under cliffs Destroyers [crossed out] who [end crossed out] were shelling cliff and debris came down. Lt. Robert T Hackett, Batt Sig Officers climbed up

3-30 Lt. Col. John A. [crossed out] Col. [end crossed out] Metcalfe 1st Batt Comm "See if you can signal those boys to stop"

Saw 5 or 6 Germans mg crew. Shot. them up until BAL got two. Burst of navy's gun fire came thro room "OK lets get to hell out of here" Went into yard saw what was smoke house