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[*Bethalto, Ill. LL ILL6*]
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? Joseph James Ricci
What was your unit and division? 505 Parachute Reg. 82nd Air borne Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Near St. Mare Eglise Approx. 12:00 Midnight or 12:30
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? SG.T. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 25 Were you married at that time? YES What is your wife's name? Elizabeth Did you have any children at that time ? No
What do you do now? Pharmacist Owner Ricci Rexall Drugs 124 S. Prairie St. Bethalto ILL.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? This was our third. We knew we would be first to go in. We moved to security airports a week before 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? Not much conversation in a D.C. 3 plane. Many slept from the drowsiness caused by the anti-nausea pills taken. You don't talk much before going in to an invasion, especially if you have been in one before. Mostly you sit & think. Mostly of you & those at home- & which buddy you'r going to loose.
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 ). We were veterans we didn't believe in rumors. we knew what to expect
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name J.J. Ricci
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? I believe Sgt. Barr was our first casulty. Lt. Cox our first officer lost.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? none
Were you wounded? yes
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? Not much pain at first. very surprising.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing 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. J. Ricci
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 ?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? in the air over England
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On the banks of the Merderae River in France.
Do you know of anybody else who landed 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?
[?let's not write him - we're pretty well taken care of with 82nd
[?Have him?]
Oscar L. Queen } Silver Star Gen. Delevery } Purple Heart Fair Banks Alaska } Bronz Star
Wm. D. Owens 4957 N. Birchland Place } Silver Star ]Purple Heart Temple City Calif. } Recommended for C.M.H.
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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May 27, 1948
Mr. James J. Ricci 312 Logan Street Bethalto, Illinois
Dear Mr. Ricci:
A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normany invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.
During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the pro- ject, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure