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[handwritten] Roanoake, VA.
VA 26

LL
For Cornelius Ryan [handwritten] GREEN-
Book about D-day or [handwritten] BLUE, on
basis of
story of
brother,
p.2.

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? Gordon Dinsmore McDonald

What was your unit and division? 116th Infantry Regiment (29th Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
H hour + 70 minutes on Omaha Beach

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Master Sgt. [check mark]

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24

Were you married at that time? yes

What is your wife's name? Patsy B. McDonald

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? Shipping foreman
American [?Viscose?] Corp.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
First part of May, '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?
I was aboard ship about 3 days prior to the
invasion. Arrangements were made for all the Grade
one Sgts. to eat in the Chief's mess. The chow was of typical
Navy quality, which we were not accustomed to
during our 22 months stay in England. The quantities we
ate brought about comments from some of the war
correspondents aboard (that we were being fattened up for the
kill.

What were he 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).

I do not remember any particular
rumors aboard ship.