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

radio officer "Help help "Get rid of radio" (SCR 300)

PT boat picked up.

There was just nothing you could do. If they'd [?smoke?] the beach

29th - Co "A" 116 Inf - Edward Marcellus Gearing 2nd Lt. 18/3/59 = 19 on D-Day (Robert J. Bedell, C, 116th 29th)

Whole [inserted] 1st [end inserted] boat was to be in Grandchamp by end D-Day, high ground

May 9, 1958

Dear Captain Gearing:

A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader's Digest in book form on the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in the spring of 1959. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of inva- sion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned from the Depart- ment of the Army, of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you'll be interested in the project and will be willing to help us.

Mr. Ryan is presently in Europe trying to get the project under way there. He will be back in this country very shortly, and during the late spring and early summer of this year, both in this country and in Europe, he will be interviewing many of the people who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period, if you are willing and able to see him. In the meantime, since we are literally dealing with hundreds of people, we are finding it necessary to keep an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore we hope that if you are willing to help with the book, you will complete the enclosed record and re- turn it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these ques- tions will serve you as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and do indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.

In Mr. Ryan's absence, I should be most grateful to know as soon as pos- sible when and if you will be available for interview during the next two or three months. We will look forward very eagerly to your reply. We want very much to tell your story and the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need you. Thank you so very much for any help which you can give us.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

Captain Edward Marcellus Gearing, 0495585 10607 Dunkirk Drive Silver Spring, Maryland

md 0-1 MD-1 May 19, 1958 Co A - 116th 29 OL 4.4807

Miss Frances Ward The Readers Digest Research Department 230 Park Avenue New York 17, New York

Dear Miss Ward:

It was indead a pleasure to receive your letter of 9 May, 1958 and to learn of Mr. Ryan's book. It would be a pleasure to talk with Mr. Ryan and you can rest assured that I would be glad to give any assist- ance possible.

I have made an attempt to complete the record that you enclosed with your letter and am returning it for your files. It is almost impossible to record all of the happenings on D-Day in this report. If Mr. Ryan would like to have any further discussions I would be very happy to arrange an interview at his convenience.

I joined the 29th Division on 15 January, 1943 as a replacement officer. I was originally assigned to Company C, 116th Infantry. I was later assigned to command the Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon of Headquarters Company, 1st Batallion, 116th Infantry. About three months before D-Day I was transferred to Company C, 116th Infantry and placed in command of an assault section to land in the first wave on Omaha Beach. I am the only officer in that Company who went in with the first wave who was not killed on the beach. This was due primarily to the fact that our LCA sank about 300 yards off shore and it was several hours before I could get to the beach. The details of which although still fresh in my memory are too lengthy to discuss here.

As you are no doubt aware, Omaha Beach suffered greater losses than any other landing area. This was due to a combination of things, two of which were the rough water and the addition of one German regi- ment which happened to be holding manuevers in that area on the day of the landing.

Although it is impossible to recall all of the events that took place that day I still recall a good portion of it. A landing such as that and the severe losses that we took are something that one does not forget.

As I stated in the record , my mother kept a very complete scrap

Good man to interview? (See notes on Co. A from A/A reports)

- 2 -

book on the 29th Division and my activities. It includes every letter that I had written home while overseas plus any information about the 29th Division that she could obtain. If Mr. Ryan thinks it can be of any assistance to him, I would be very glad to put it at his disposal.

I am very interested in Mr. Ryan's book. I have read all of the material that has been brought to my attention concerning the D-Day landings and feel that little justcie has been done on the early portion of the invasion, particularly during the twenty-four hour period that Mr. Ryan intends to cover. I imagine that this is due to scarcity of the people available to give eyewitness accounts.

It would also be very interesting to read of the activities of other individuals on that day. When you are in combat and especially when there was as much confusion as on that day, a man is only aware of what is happening to him and in his immediate vicinity.

Although there were many heroic deeds performed on that day, many of which were not recognized, I was among that group of fortunates to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for my days work.

Please advise Mr. Ryan that I wish him every success in the publication of his book and would be very happy to contribute whatever I can.

I have moved from the address that you now have. My present address is as follows:

Mr. Edward M. Gearing 3506 Dundee Driveway Chevy Chase 15, Maryland

Very truly yours Edward M Gearing Edward M. Gearing