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Ozark Missouri
AB - TE
[crossed out] Missouri [end crossed out]
Mo 2

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? Sam Appleby, Jr. Army name: Sam J. Appleby.

What was your unit and division? Company E. 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
82nd A/B Division.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
1:05 AM June 6, 1944. Where I landed, I don't know, except that it was somewhere
in a fence row, with bushes like our black berrys grow on, in a cow pasture, near
a cow, near bois d'arc hedge rows, and not far from Sainte Mere-Eglise.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Corporal.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 years.

Were you married at that time? No.

What is your wife's name? Anne A. [crossed out] And [end crossed out] Appleby, nee Anderson

Did you have any children at that time? No.

What do you do now? Christian County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney, until Jan.
1959, will continue after that as country lawyer in general practice.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
This was my third parachute invasion, and I don't think anyone ever[crossed out] y [end crossed out] told me,
it just grew on me, because we never missed anything big if we weren't busy,
and we were m England at the time doing nothing to win the war.

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?
I recall the plane we were on was the lead plane with only the radar plane
a bomber some several minutes ahead with the crew to set up the guide, the
trip was nice, I was behind Lt. Russell our Company Commander, now Lt. Clyde R.
Russell, I recall the fleet as we passed over, and before that the last meal,
we had steak, then as we approached the Normandy coast I remember watching the
fire streaks of the big guns as they fired, the shell would peak and arc and
on the lower side of the arc from each side we flew which gave the effect of
the shells comming at us from both sides, but would go under us. I remember
I wasn't motion sick as usual, I remember being a little panic, and repeating
a long prayer, then I remember the chute opening as usual, the landing was
good, I had cover in the brush.

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).
I can't recall any rumors at the present time, but I am sure we had plenty,
if we didn't, I'm so sure I made up a few, to test honesty, by watching them
grow.