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Roanoke, VA.

For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day

VA 22
Green
[?LR?]
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? John F. White

What was your unit and division? Company G,ll6th Infantry Regiment 29th Inf. Div.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach 6:30 A.M. 6-6-4-4
We were the first wave of assault troops designated to land at H hour.As I recall
we were a few minutes late, but it was about the time listed above.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 2nd Lt.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time?

What do you do now? I am employed as the Prosthetic Specialist in the Medical
Out-Patient Department of the Veterans Administration Regional Office Roanoke
Virginia. It is my job to purchase have fitted and deliver all types of artificial
appliances such as artificial limbs, braces, hearing aids, special shoes etc. for veterans
required to wear and use these appliances because of injuries received while they were
in service.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
It is difficult to recall exaatly when we were sure of this, but we had a pretty good
hunch what was going to occur after we began intensive amphibious minivers around the
latter part of 1943.

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 crossing was very serene and quiet. We steamed out of the port about dusk
and reached our rendezvous about 3:00 or 3 :30 a.m. After breakfast we waited awhile
and watched and heard the aircraft going over and the commencement of the shore
bombardment. Some like me just waited and wondered how it was going to be. Others
made forced atteapts at lightheartedness, but for the most part the majority of
men were comparatively quiet. And of course we went over our maps and orders with
our respective units for the last time. Sleep was pretty hard to come by and I
doubt if anyone else slept a great deal that last night. I am sure that I did talk
with people,but I cannot recall what we talked about or how much talking was done.
Each of us knew, of course, that someone was going to be hurt on this operation, but
one can't bring himself to even think that it will be him-it is bound to be the
other fellow. I don't recall that anyone in our outfit even vaguely admitting that
he might get hit.
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 olanned to set it afire when
the troops came in).
I don't remember any rumors such as those you mention here. There must have been-
there always are when you get that many people together,but I can't recall any.