Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 006, folder 45: John Polyniak

116/29 Box Seven [?OK?]

Balto Md MD 21 LL For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day GREEN 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 0F THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. What is your full name ? John Polyniak What was your unit and division? Co. C. 116th Inf 29th Div. Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Omaha Beach, about 7:30 AM What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sgt. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23 Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Cleo R. Did you have any children at that time ? No What do you do now? Accountant When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? A few weeks before the invasion. As we were well guarded in a marshalling area, all we did is study maps and sand landscapes of the beach we were to enter. 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 beginning of the trip was peaceful. While we were on the larger ship I didnt pay too much attention of what was in store for us. With all the training and expectations we all sort of felt proud of the job we were to do. My thoughts were back home thinking of the past and what the folks back home were doing and how they would take this occassion. We didn't know at the time ?that it would play such a big part But I + the rest of the squad were very proud to be a part of the event 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). We heard all sorts of rumors on what to expect some said fire on the water others gas on land but we were prepared for anything. While we were on the ship we didnt care too much but once we were placed into LCVP's then we realized what a difference it made The rumors seemed to come true as the water was rough and being seasick I + the others didnt seem to care what happened But upon the approach of the land we seemed to realize that the rumors were false

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name John Polyniak

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No. Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? We were fortunate as we had but one injury on the landing, a gunshot wound of one of the fellows in the knee, and later in the morning a artillery shell burst in the air and hit a few more but no one killed the 1st day. Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes. We had a few boys from my home town, and we discussed that whoever was fortunate to get thru all this firework was to deliver the messages home and tell of the occassion. Were you wounded? Yes. Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? I had been shot in the right hip and it felt like a pin prick. Then the right leg began to get numb, but it was more of a surprise than anything else before I realized that my injury was serious. Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? oDo you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The 1st evening on the beach as we came inland we were digging in for the night. My buddy and I were digging in, and I dug in the 1st turn and I lied down from exhaustion on my back as my buddy was digging I --- kept looking in the hedgerow above us and it looked so green and full, and I wondered didnt say anything to my buddy, but got my gun with bayonet and probed into the hedge and to my surprise 2 Germans itting there with plenty of ammunition, they could have destroyed both of us but they didn't. Just by faith they didn't, and I made sure that they got safely back to our prisoner of war camp at the beach.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name John Polyniak

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 from D-day? We had a Navy officer to direct fire from the ships off shore and it was amazing how he was able to get and direct accurate fire on the targets. Especially one which was a church steeple which had spotter that was directing German fire from Vill Sur Mer and he was able to direct fire and hit it by his direction from shore to ship.

TEXAS SFCP

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? In a ship on the channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Just a few hundred yards off shore

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6 , as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Jack N. Womer 3013 Dunleer Rd. Dundalk, Md. out

Edward [?Kaskie?] 1332 Pulaskie Ave Shamokin, Pa. out

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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

6/19/58

Dear Miss Ward

I have been informed that a book is being written for the fifteenth anniversary of "D"-Day. That personnel who participated on that day may write to you and provide whatever information that they may have to offer.

I participated in the invasion with the 29th Division. I had the rank of a Sgt in "C" Company 116th Infantry on Omaha Beach. I remained with the company until I became a casualty on June [?17th?], which proved to be the beginning of the end of my army days. I received a gunshot wound in the right hip, which caused a dropped foot. But all was not lost I had the best of treatment in the Army hospitals After my discharge on March 22, 1945, I once again began a normal life. Eventually I got married, also in the meantime taking a course in accounting, and now employed as a accountant. I also have 3 very fine children - 2 boys & 1 girl.

I haven't mentioned too much about those hectic days in Normandy, but I could. Those are memories never to be forgotten. But being happy and contented with life makes one feel proud in taking part in such a great day.

Sincerely Yours

John Polyniak 3838 8th St. Balto #25, MD.

#4 LH