Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 29: Francis James House

July 3, 1958

Mr. Francis J. House 1255 Oakwood Avenue E. Liverpool, Ohio

Dear Mr. House:

Thank you very much for your letter and for your willingness to help us with Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I hope you will forgive the delay in replying to your kind offer of assistance; we are gratified, but somewhat overwhelmed, by the wonderful response which we are getting as a result of our own requests for information.

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 so many people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crytallise some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.

I should be grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need the personal accounts of the men who were there. We particularly look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department FW:LL Enclosure

Francis J House 1255 Oakwood ave. E. Liverpool, Ohio

August 3, 1958

Miss Frances Ward Readers Digest Research Department 230 Park avenue New York 17, N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward: I finally completed the questionaire and am sorry for the delay. As you mentioned in your letter it certainly helped to clear up some hazy recollections. It is completed as nearly as possible as I can remember the events as they took place However I believe I can give you some facts in my own words that may help in the preparation of the book. For my unit COK -359th Inf -90th INF DIVISION, the landing was difficult just as it was for all who took part but I think that on the landing itself there were others who had it worse than me. For Co K the real trouble started after we made the top of the hill atop Omaha beach.

2. The company commander of Co K was Capt William Baushauser from Texas. My Platoon leader was Lieutenant Stanley K. Sammons from Illinois. There were also Lieutenants by name of Jones and Peterson. The first sergeant was named Norcap. Before the invasion we had several pep talks while stationed in England near a town called Leominster. We were encouraged and congratulated on being such excellent soldiers. I think now that these men were psychiatrists in uniform. We were treated to several concerts by the various service bands. We did not know why all this was done. Of the men in Co K who made the landing on D-day only about a half dozen finished the war with this company. In spite of the constant naval and air strikes on D-day, many of the German shore batteries were still firing although the small arms fire had been reduced considerably. The US air force had almost complete mastery of the air, but in spite of this there was occasional strafing. The weather was sunny and hot and this did not prove a hindrance as the weather so often did later in the war

3 Our company after making the landing, was under fire just as were all other units who participated. We spent the night of June 6 near a small village called St. Mere Eglese in Normandy. The countryside was strewn with parachutes of various colors from the airborne troops and supplies which had been dropped. There were dozens of wrecked gliders where they had hit fences and other obstacles set up specifically to stop them. I watched these glider troops come in on the afternoon of June 6. I saw very few French civilians although those I did see seemed somewhat unconcerned considering the gravity of the situation I dont know what happened on the beach after we made the landing, but I understand some of the heavy equipment had difficulty in landing. Of the officers and N.C.O.s of Co K, who made the landing on D-day, practically all were replaced before the end of World War II because they were either killed or wounded. I, myself, was advanced to the rank of platoon sergeant, probably through the process of elimination. Of the men who participated on D-day I remember some names well in my particular platoon. I do not know the whereabouts of these men today, because most were wounded and replaced.

4 Our company commander for the invasion, Capt Baushausen, was killed in October, 1944 while leading an attack against Tiger tanks. He was replaced by Capt Poly Evans, also a D-day participant. Capt Evans was later wounded and replaced. Lieutenant Stanley Sammons, in my opinion one of the true heroes of the war was killed on or about Thanksgiving day 1944 while leading his platoon against the enemy. I was fortunate enough to survive four campaigns in World War II and to receive a few decorations including a Bronze Star for the Normandy Campaign. of the names I remember in my platoon are the following George Bruno - Walter Ferguson- Thurston Good George Jewry- Daniel Barnhart - C Coy. all these men participated in the invasion on D-day. I'll finish with this and I certainly hope you can use some of this information in the book. I couldbe available for interview with a week's notice if you so desire. Sincerely Yours Francis House