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Bishopsville S.C For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day
LH Another guy who won’t talk on paper
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 Wolling Law, Jr.
What was your unit and division? 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 2;40 A. M. June 6, 1944 Orglandes about ½ way between St. Sauveur Le Vicomte and Montebourg.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31 Years
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife’s name? Ruth Muller Law
Did you have any children at that time ? One
What do you do now? Life Insurance Salesman
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About 4 weeks before the invasion.
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 ? We could not talk much on account of the motors and rushing of the wind through the open door, so a good many of us went to sleep. It was rather chilly and we wrapped up in blankets. I told the Crew Chief to wake me up just before we crossed the French Coast.
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 don’t seem to remember any rumors.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Robert W. Law, Jr.
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? A few of us were isolated all that day and I had no way of finding out what happened to the others. Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? None of the boys were wounded on D-day while with me.
[crossed out] Were you wounded? I was wounded on June 29th. at is, do you remember whether you felt any paid or were you so surprised you felt nothing? Do you remember what it was like, do you remember where you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? I was knocked unconscious by a German shell which also set off a fragmentation grenade and a white phosphorus grenade which I had with me. It was several minutes before a pal of mine realized my predicament and carried me to a First Aid Station. [end crossed out] Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? There were several amusing incidents but I would prefer to relate them to your representative.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? This would take a lot of space as there were many heroic incidents.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name R . W . Law, Jr.
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? Not being a writer it is difficult for me to put these down on paper in a way that would be interesting. Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? I suppose we were circling and getting into formation, about that time, over Southern England. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? I was in a stone barn near the railroad which goes from Cherbourg southward. The barn was about half way between Amfreville and Ste. 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? Col. Horace J. Cofer Ret. Grayson, Ga.
LL
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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PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY HOME OFFICE CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA ROBERT W. LAW, JR. GENERAL AGENT B1SHOPVILLE, S. C. PHONES: HUNTER 4-5512 4-5563
July 8, 1958
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Miss Frances Ward Reader's Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, N. Y.
Dear Miss Ward:
In response to your recent inquiry this is to advise that I was a Lieutenant with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Normandy Invasion.
A small group, of which I was a part, was surrounded for four days near Amfreville. If you are interested in any further information, I am enclosing an envelope for your convenience in contacting me.
Yours very truly, R. W. Law, Jr.
RWL, Jr./s