Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 006, folder 43: Arnold Norgaard

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NORGAARD, Arnold S. Dak 2

Box 6, #43

Last edit 10 months ago by heatherreust
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Norgaard S.D. S DAK 2 Nothing [illegible] anyway, doesn't seem to know when he landed 175th went into Omaha on D+ [7?]

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. IP YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name ? Arnold Norgaard

What was your unit and division? 175 Infantry 29th Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Cherbourg. I think around 6:30

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P. f. C.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24 years old

Were you married at that time? no

What is your wife's name? Vivian (Olson) Norgaard married in nov. 21 1948

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? I am Farming in Eastern S. Dak.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Heard rumors a few days before, But I didn't know before we were on the Boat

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 Channel was a little rough, the water was disorderly. Some of the fellows were partly sick, their wasn't much conversation except "this is it" we didn't do anything special, every body was on the alert. Wanting for something to happen.

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). I heard this rumor also.

Last edit 10 months ago by heatherreust
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Arnold Norgaard

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No The officers that we shouldn't have a diary

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? We were on the move so fast that I don't remember of any conversation

Were you wounded? Yes I was wounded twise the 6th of July 1944 and [illegible]

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? I got hit with shrapnel a few places on my body a piece went threw thigh of my leg and it felt like a hammer hit and after wards it felt numb Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? No.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? When we got to shore with the landing craft there was two landing boats that hit something and they exploded in the air. and I seen some of them swiming in water and hollering for help.

Last edit 10 months ago by heatherreust
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Arnold Norgaard

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? [?non?]

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? was out water in a L.S.T. boat. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? I was on the battle field of France.

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?

Elmer Bederson- Benson Minn. Lloyd Oseby- Brooking S. Dak. Clayton Beigh- Woonsocket S. Dak. All Infantry men.

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

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

Last edit 4 months ago by heatheralr
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Arlington May 29 1958 6 30 AM S DAK.

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

UNITED STATES 2CENTS POSTAL CARD

Miss Frances Ward Readers Digest, 230 Park Ave., New York, N.Y.

Last edit 10 months ago by heatherreust
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