Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 009, folder 45: Robert Wilson Ryals

101st AB RYALS, Robert Wilson NC 8 Box 9, # 45

101 501 HQ Co. 3rd Bn Was Lt Col Ewell's radio operator Lost radio on jump

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? Robert Wilson Ryals

What was your unit and division? Headquarters Comapny, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? In the vicinity of Hiesville, France, approximately 1:25 AM.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Technician, 4th Grade (T/4)

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 19

Were you married at that time? No.

What is your wife's name? Joyce

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Soldier, United States Army.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? 2 June 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? Trip was routine. I do not recall any conversations, but spent most of the time in the air (about 1 hour, 55 minutes) thinking and praying. Slept some.

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). No rumors that I can recall.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name- Robert Wilson Ryals

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Yes. Very brief.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No.

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? N/A.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? No.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes. After exiting from the aircraft, which seemed to be traveling much faster than normal jump speed, I lost my radio, which was in a leg bundle. Since I was the Battalion Commander's (Lt Col Julian J. Ewell) radio operator, I was quite concerned as to what he might say. After about 45 minutes, I located him, and immediately reported the fact that the radio had been lost. He said something to the effect "OK, come along with me.” To me, it was quite remarkable that he was so calm and collected under the conditions which existed that time.

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Your name- Robert Wilson Ryals

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? I know of no specific examples as mentioned above, but I do remember how well behaved the few people were whom I came into contact with during the assembly phase. There was a minimum of confusion and disorder, and everyone acted as though this was nothing more than another training jump. Everyone was either looking for our designated assembly area or trying to recover their equipment.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Enroute from England to France.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Hiesville , France (Command Post of the 101st Airborne Division.)

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? I have a friend who was captured on D-Day , I believe. He was in the 2nd Battalion of the 501st; therefore we jumped in different places. His name and address is:

Mr. A1 J. Haag Route 3, Box 646 Burlington, Wisconsin.

In connection with the statement below (Where They Are How), I have been assigned to the 101st Airborne division, which is presently located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

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

Box 29 Fort Clayton, Canal Zone 6 May 1958

Miss Frances Ward Reader’s Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, New York

Dear Miss Ward:

A recent Information News Letter published here in the Canal Zone stated that you were preparing a history of D-Day, 6 June I944; and further that you were interested in contacting Army personnel in certain organizations which participated in the operations on that day.

As a member of the 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (101st Airborne Division), I parachuted in the vicinity of Hiesville, France, at about 0115 hours (l:l5 AM) on 6 June 1944 During the early hours of the morning, the group I was with, moved to Pouppeville where we later made contact with elements of the 4th Infantry Division.

Since the News Letter mentioned above does not say what information you need at this time, I will close. If I can be of any further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to write. Perhaps I might be able to answer some specific questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Ryals SFC RO14196500

P.S.: After 15 June 1958, any correspondence addressed to me should be sent to the following address:

714 Pender Street Rocky Mount, North Carolina