Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 009, folder 36: Thomas Paris Mulvey

D-Day Book 101st MULVEY, Thomas Paris Vt 1

Release 15PG Box 9, #36

506 101st

Co. F

Landed at 0117 -- didn't see a soul until 0715

One boy pleaded to go along, though Co. was overstrength. Suit Ok'd. Boy found on D Day still in harness with 17 bullet holes

Funny story about link-up with 4th Div Scout at 11 00

[*LL Burlington VT 1*]

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? THOMAS PARIS MULVEY

What was your unit and division? Company "F", 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Jumped one-half mile SE of Ste. Mere-Eglise, at 0117 on 6 June 1944.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28 years old

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Mildred Melvin Mulvey

Did you have any children at that time? No What do you do now? US Army officer, presently assigned to US Army Advisor Group (NGUS ) Vermont.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We were briefed on 4 June.

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? Most of the men in my plane were asleep after the first half hour. We were airborne for two-and-a-half hours, having taken off at 2245 hrs. As we crossed the French coast, I mentioned this fact to one of the troopers by the door, and he said: "So what!"

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 had been shown air photos of our Drop Zones, but we had no guarantee we would land on them. Other photos showed what appeared to be Rommelspargel (Rommel 's asparagus) which proved to be rather large poles stuck in the ground to prevent glider landings and to impale parachutists. Fortunately none of our people ran into them.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name THOMAS P. MULVEY

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Yes, but I have since mislaid it. I landed by myself at 0117 hours and didn't see a soul until 0715 the same morning. About 1100 hours I contacted a scout from the 4th Div. [crossed out]This was a rather.[end crossed out] (See below )

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes, as I mentioned in my first letter, quite a few of my people were killed and wounded during the first day.

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

One boy, who was to be left behind because we were overstrength , kept imploring me that he be allowed to jump. I finally took it up with Col. R. F. Sink, the regimental commander, who said: "Hell, if he wants to be a hero, take him along." He went, and he was found the next day, still in his parachute harness, hanging high in a tree, with seventeen bullet holes in him.

Were you wounded? No.

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?

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Reference the scout from the 4th Div (above ) - I was walking along a dirt road trying to orient myself, when a soldier with a rifle popped into view from the edge of the bushes, about 75 yards ahead. We both dived [crossed out]back[end crossed out] into the brush. We came out again, rifles at the ready, and stared out each other for a few seconds. He appeared to be a GI to me, so I yelled "Flash", and he came back immediately with " Lightening " - [*Thunder?*] the challenge and password for the day. He directed that I drop my rifle and advanced with arms raised. I suggested that he do the same. This went on for several go-rounds, with neither one breaking down. Finally, I decided to change it, dropped my rifle and advanced as he originally ordered. He turned out to be a scout from the 4th Division, and we shook hands and slapped each other on the back.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? No

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name THOMAS P. MULVEY

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? No

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Somewhere over the English Channel as a part of the air armada that was forming up for the airborne assault that occurred about one hour later.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In the vicinity of Ste. Mere Eglise with about ten of my company.

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? Yes, but I don ’t have addresses.

With regard to an interview - I will be available here in Vermont until 20 June. We are preparing for Summer Field Training and will not be able to go to New York until after 19 July. I will be available from 19 July to about 20 August, when I am being transferred to Fort Knox, Ky.

Cordially, THOMAS P. MULVEY Lt. Col. Inf

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

May 28, 1958

Lt. Col. Thomas P. Mulvey U. S. Army Advisor Group (NGUS) Vermont Main Street Armory Burlington,Vermont

Dear Col. Mulvey:

Thank you very much for your letter and for your willingness to help us with Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I hope you will forgive the delay in replying to your kind offer of assistance; we are gratified,but some- what overwhelmed by the wonderful response which we are getting as a result of our requests for information.

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 so many people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope 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. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need the personal accounts of the men who were there. We particularly look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Enclosure