Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 03: Robert Franco

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FRANCO, Robert 505th Parachute Med Det Wash 1 Box 8, #3

505th

Saw Demolition Officer explode a pack of matches in his face. Not much good

Last edit 6 months ago by joaust21
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WASH Richland

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day WASH-1

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? Robert Franco

What was your unit and division? 505th parachute Infantry Reg, Medical Detachment 2nd Battalion. Before June 6 ended I switched over to 3rd Bn as their medical officers had been injured.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? I dropped with Hq Co, 2nd Bn, not far from Ste Mere Eglise. Time about 1 AM (double summer time)

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? Ilene Franco Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Private practice of Surgery, Richland, Washington

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About a month before. As Asst. Reg. Surgeon I was awarded a fairly high security rating & was briefed with the battalion commanders (or shortly after)

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? Slept most of the time. Trip was quiet, night was beautiful

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). Recall no rumors. This outfit indulged in very little of this sort of thing

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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Robert Franco MD 750 Swift Boulevard Richland, Washington

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? Many

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes There was a young Lieutenant in my tent at the Airport (name Colo, I believe) He has the first American "burp-gun" I had seen & carried it about with him enthusiastically killing imagining Germans. He was killed in landing (his first operation) & I heard he never touched down - shot suspended by his lines from a tree.

Were you wounded? Not till June 27 Minor scratch on about June 11.

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? Surprised. Felt like a kick in the groin.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Our regimental Demolitions Officer, who had handled hundreds of pounds of explosives, had a package of matches blow up in his face while lighting a cigarette. He had a red face for two good reasons. Later a booby-trap blew up in his face - eye & hand wounds, but he was OK otherwise.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? 1. Lt Jack Gavin greeted me warmly when I ran across him several days after the landings - he said he had heard I had been killed. 3 months later he was dead 2. Capt. Pete Suer took one disgusted look at me when I was brought in as a casualty & said, "Lucky S.O.B." 6 months later he was dead.

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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Robert Franco 750 Swift Boulevard Richland, Washington 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? This was commonplace but specific instances escape me.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard plane en route to France

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In a farmhouse about a mile from Ste. Mere Eglise. Here there were 100 or more wounded from the Division & I was sole medical officer. This scene was briefly described by Ralph Ingersoll in his book about this invasion. He apparently arrived with ground troops.

Do you know of anybody else 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? Dr. Byford I Hall, DuQuain, Ill. Dr. Lyle B Putnam , Witchita, Kan. Dr. John De Long was medical office on the LST in which I was evacuated. I believe he is from New York State. He might have been on duty June 6. I have not seen him since.

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 5/1/58 Frances Ward Research, The Reader ’s Digest

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FRANCO, Robert

Wash 1

82nd Airborne Division

Questionnaire sent to Miss France Ward for interview at convention, July 3--5, by Mr. David Kerr.

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