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PA 57
Altoona, PA
BLACK

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

What is your full name? Raymond R Volponi

What was your unit and division? C.O.B. 11 [crossed out] In [end crossed out] Infantry 29th Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach Zero Hour
was [crossed out] 6 AM [end crossed out] 0600

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sargent

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31 year old

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time? Yes. 1 daughter 10 years
old at that time A Registered Nurse [crossed out] to-day [end crossed out] now.

What do you do now? I'm a patient at the V.A. Hospital at
Altoona, Penna on leave, until the 5th of Aug.

A When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About
2 weeks before D.Day. we didn't know the exact
day or hour.- until June 4 1941

B 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 crossing could only be described as a Fairy Tale. where
choppy and angry waves tried to smack and swallow up
such brave little boat as LCI'S LST Troop [illegible] L.C.A.]s for the entire trip
its creaks and groans was evident and you wondered how
much longer it would be able to take the abuse, I was on
the LCI 411. Our company consists of about 21 [inserted] enlisted [end inserted] men and officers. Plus ship [?personnel?]
fit like sardines in a can and no doubt smelled like them after
days on board.

C 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 ). Rumors were numerous at marshalling
area before briefing and knowning what would take place
before we hit the beach, such rumors were just idle talk
which I recall was never brought up for discussions for
it was just as you stated Scuttlebut. Just plain rumors.
The rumor may of had some effect on the people but to the
men making the invasion I'd say no. we were more
concerned on our objective assigned on landing. The water obstacles