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[inserted] AB-TE LL Fort Hood Great
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For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICPATED 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? Robert L. Bearden

What was your unit and division? 507th Parachute Inf., 82nd Airborne Div.
H Company

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Ferrsville (sp) area about midnight

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sgt, squad leader

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 21 years

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? Doris Jane Bearden

Did you have any children at that time? No ( Five now )

What do you do now? Operate personal service concession at
Fort Hood, Texas
Bearden's Personal Service
Fort Hood, Texas

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?

When we left Alliance, Nebraska a year prior. It became more
apparent, of course, as we left Ireland for England.

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?
A beautiful night, excellent flying low over waters which re-
flected the beautiful moon. I discussed our Company Executive
Officer's new born with him, visited in cabin with crew, and
reviewd operational plans with my stick.

Most of the men slept or pretended to sleep. Conversations
were had as to fleet beneath us, and flames from planes'
exhausts. No signs of apprehension or sweat were visible.
These men knew they were good at their jobs and realy appeared
anxious to demonstrate this ability.

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).

[*no*]
The"Berlin Bitch", as she was affectionately referred to, had
welcomed our virgin parachute regiment to the Division - and
pointed out that a very warm reception had been planned for
us on the 5th. She then advised her sorrow that the project
had been called off, and that our reception would still be
one to remember. This postponment, by the way, caused us to
eat our"last supper" on the evening of the 5th, and when the
trip was called off for that night, we had "cold cuts" prior
to the actual invasion.