Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 13: John W. Keller

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Keller, John Int. 82 AB N.Y. BOX 8, #13

505 Berk and Keller together

Coyle and Co.

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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? JOHN W. KELLER AND ADDRESS 121 8th Ave. SEA CLIFF LI N.Y. OR - 6 - 5416

What was your unit and division? 505 PRCHT. REGT. 82nd A/B

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? ST. MERE EGLISE VICINITY APPROX. 12:30 PM.

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

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 19

Were you married at that time? NO

What is your wife's name? [crossed out] FAITH [end crossed out]

Did you have any children at that time? NO

What do you do now? TOOL AND DIE MAKER AND ENGRAVING

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? APPROX. 7 O'CLOCK JUNE 5th 1944

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? NORMAL TAKE OFF CONVERSATION WAS LITTLE IF ANY I FELL ASLEEP

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). SMOKED A CIGARETTE THEN FELL ASLEEP

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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name JOHN KELLER

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? NO.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?

Were you wounded? NO.

Do you remember what it was like -- that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing?

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed fumy at the time?

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

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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name

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 from D-day?

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944?

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? IN A FIELD SOUTH OF ST MERE EGLISE

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to?

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 Research, The Reader's Digest

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121 Eighth Avenue Sea Cliff, New York March 7, 1959

Dear Mr. Ryan: First I want to thank you for your hospitality to me and my buddies January 6, 1959. I enjoyed the dinner very much as well as listening to the many experiences that were exchanged. Want to wish you success in the job you have undertaken and anxiously await the finished story which I'm sure I, and many others, will enjoy reading. Before I give account of myself that day and the following one, I want to say that fifteen years is a long time but I never realized how long until last night. The maps, etc. gave me places and directions, mainly north and south, [crossed out] of [end crossed out] [inserted] about [end inserted] which I had completely forgotten. We left England sometime about ten or ten-thirty PM. Rumors claimed that it would be about a two hour ride. Upon becoming airborne we could smoke and although I can't recall any lengthy conversations, there was some exchange of words, comments, etc. I lit a cigarette and do remember feeling very uncomfortable. My mind was full of many thoughts but I was mainly concerned with what it would be like when we reached our goal, for I anticipated the worst. My harness was a tight one and pinched at the crotch, so I gave an upward pull at the buckles, was relieved and shortly thereafter I dozed, only to be awakened by a lot of commotion. I remember hooking myself to the cable and in only a few seconds we were on our way to the door. Then I remember feeling something under my feet -- as if I was for

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