Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 25: Russell Joseph De Benedetto

90th DIV DE BENEDETTO, Russell Joseph La 5

Box 7, #25

Port Allen, Louisiana LA5, Medic 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? Russell Joseph De Benedetto What was your unit and division? Medical Detachment, 359 Inf. Regt., 90th Infantry Division. Assigned to Company "L", 3rd. Bn., of 359 Inf. Regt. as Company Aid Man Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? On Utah Beach at approximately 2 o'clock P. M. on June 6, 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Private First Class What was your age on June 6, 1944? 21 years of age Were you married at that time? no What is your wife!s name? None Did you have any children at that time? None What do you do ixow? Self-employed as Real Estate Broker When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Probably on June 1, 1944 at which time our group was briefed under strict secrecy. The following day was taken to the LCI boat on the English Channel. Stayed on LCI until Utah Beach Landing 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? Was on LCI from June 2nd to June 6th -Life on LCI was quiet as was not allowed to discuss the invasion with anyone. Other subjects did not seem important to discuss. Morale was good. Stayed in harbor area from June 2nd. to sometimes during the late night of the 5th or early hours of the 6th. Did not know when LCI pulled out of harbor area, probably sleeping at the time. Being a medical first aid man I was assigned to administer dramamine capsules to the men aboard at certain intervals. Playing cards and reading books was probably the greatest past time. The trip across the Channel was smooth since I did not know that I was crossing the Channel. Was ordered to stay below deck until we neared the Beach. 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). Know of no such rumor as gasoline on the water When bwiefed on June 1st was told that invasion would be soon but no date was mentioned. On ship it was rumored that invasion was scheduled for June 5th . Dont know if it was true or not

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name Russell J. De Benedetto

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? A Lt. Kief (one of the Bn. physicians) don't remember his first or middle name. He was killed by a falling shell on the beach about 150 feet inland. We were walking inland on the beach when the shell hit and only the 3rd. Bn. physician was hit.

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

Were you wounded? Not on the initial landing, but was wounded on September 15, 1944 and again in the Battle of the Buldge.[sp]

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? At time injured, no pain was felt until approximately one hour later

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Late in the night on June 6 some of the infantrymen standing guard heard some germans in the area and alerted the whole group. The germans that were heard were injured germans coming out of hiding to surrender. Everyone was really excited, very alert and very cautious. Approximately 100 infantrymen around me were ready to fire away if one shot would have been fire at us, however it turned out that one unarmed american could have taken the six injured germans as prisoners.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?

At the time of landing there were what seemed like thousands of fighter planes overhead weaving in and out to protect us from enemy aircraft and hundreds of C-47 or C-54 transport planes with gliders towed behind them coming in with paratroopers. An encouraging sight indeed seeing so many paratroopers landing behind the enemy lines in support of our infantry troops. Discouraging howerer, [sp] was that many gliders were colliding with these huge poles the Germans had placed in the pastures and later seeing that some paratroopers had landed in trees with their chutes getting caught and the Germans had either cut their throats or shot them while hanging from his chute.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name Russell J. De Benedetto

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? Can't recall any

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

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Approximately 3 miles inland of Utah Beach

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? Know of others but either don't remember their full names or don't know of their mailing addresses and I am afraid would not be of any help. Will try to think of some and if I do I will supplement this questionnaire with that information.

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

Port Allen, Louisiana

May 30, 1958

Address reply to: 935 N. Jefferson Avenue Port Allen, Louisiana

Re: D-Day in Normandy

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

Dear Miss Ward:

Notice in the American Legion Magazine that author Cornelius Ryan is seeking first hand information on D-Day landing in Normandy France on June 6, 1944.

I participated in the invasion on this date as a medical corpsman with the 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division from jumping in the English Channel to swim ashore to the end of the war in Europe.

Please advise what information and how you want it and I shall he happy to furnish you with information as I saw it.

Very truly yours,

RUSSELL J. DE BENEDETTO

RJD/d