Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 01: Wayne W. Rankin

RANKIN, Wayne W. 29th DIV Pa 45 BOX 7, #1

Homer City, PA. JULY 23 1958

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

PA 45

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. Landed D + 2 OUT

What is your full name? WAYNE W. RANKIN

What was your unit and division? Cannon Company, 115th Infantry, 29th Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? With invasion forces, representation of my unit landed afternoon of D-day, personally, I landed afternoon of D plus 2

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? PFC in company Communications

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 25

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Commercial teacher, Senior High School

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? Staging area, about six weeks before

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or hew you passed the time? From my position aboard an LCT, quite uneventful. There was an air of solemn anticipation toward the unknown; a period of verbal bravado to bolster personal morale; and I think, a lot of short temper launched by an undercurrent of hidden fear.

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). Can think of nothing

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name WAYNE W. RANKIN

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? All personal property was conficated before landing. I landed with issue gear, cigaretts, and dog tags.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Many

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No

Were you wounded? No

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?

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? no

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The most memorable, with lasting impressions, were the debris strewn beaches of Omaha a day and a half after the initial landings.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name WAYNE W. RANKIN

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? No

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Somewhere on the English Channel with the invasion fleet

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Lying Off shore at Omaha beach undergoing air raids

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?

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

July 16, 1958

Mr. Wayne Rankin RD #2 Homer City Pennsylvania

Dear Mr. Rankin:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. 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 invasion day, but a story of the twentyfour hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only goto the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.

During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me it your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.

I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Encl.