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For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day
PA 9
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? Louis P. Merlano "Chief"
What was your unit and division?
CO. A - 502nd Parachute Regt - 101st Airborne Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Dunes DeVarreville - approx 12:05 am
landed on beach
What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Corporal
What was your age on June 6, 1944?
20 yrs old
Were you married at that time?
No
What is your wife's name?
Jane
Did you have any children at that time?
No
Extra insert: Windsor 5-7350 37 Red Ridge Rd, [?Levitown?] PA
What do you do now?
District Sales Mgr - Facit Inc - importers &
manufacturers of office equipment
When did you know that you were going to be part of 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 ?
Recall discussing the beauty of plane formation
Had habit of sleeping during most flights, did
likewise on this venture. Awaken at check point remember the blank expression on [?]
as the coast line became visible.
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 ).
General feeling in my group was that
the postponement would alert the enemy
and the situation would no longer be
one of surprise. Morale high but also
awareness of a rough time ahead