Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 010, folder 48: Thomas F. Ryan

Ryan, Thomas F. Ill. In D-day book 2nd Ranger Bn. Released

Release with PG Box 10, #45 Material Released 6/29/59 See special folder

F Co. 2nd Rangers Pointe du Hoe

Ryan has nothing of interest except for the fact that it was his birthday. If we didn't use it, we should. It happened in the LCA No. 888.

Chicago, Illinois R - E ILL 5 For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day

[handwritten note in right margin[ Note attached clip of 6/6/58 from Chicago aims weak

He was with Bombardier 2nd Rangers

D-day his 22nd birthday

Obviously not communicated on 1st try [end handwritten note]

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 nam? Thomas F. Ryan

What was your unit and division? Co F. 2nd Ranger Bn.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 7:30 A.M. Pointe du Hoe

What was your rank on June 6. 1944? S/Sgt.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 yrs. (My birthday June 6 - 1922)

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife!s name? No

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Police Officer Chicago, Illinois

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About one week before D-Day.

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? The trip was very rough & many were seasick, but the morale was high. Being my birthday The "Rangers" in the L.C.A. No 888 sang "Happy Birthday" to me. We were issued small bags in case we had to vomit.

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 olanned to set it afire when the troops came in).

- for Cornelius Ryan c - Your name Thomas F. Ryan

Did you by any chanoe 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? Yes. I had many who were killed & many more who were wounded.

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

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 bearing 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?

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Thomas F. Ryan

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? On the British ship HMS Ben Mecrey

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On top of cliff Point du Hoe 50 ft from the edge

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? Mr. John Gilhooly LL 33 Branch Place Rooseverlt L.I. N.Y.

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 GALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW; YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP,

Cornelius Ryan

Frances Wand Research, The Reader's Digest

June 5, 1958

Dear Mr. Ryan:

A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being written by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader's Digest and in book form on the fifteenth anniversary of the invasion next spring. It will not be another strategic history of the operation, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as men lived them and remember them. For this, we can only go to the men tfso were there and, if they are willing, Invade their memories. We have been fortunate in reaching former Sergeant William L. Petty of Carmel, New York, who has given us a great deal of his time, and also your name and address. Since the story of the Rangers is obviously one of the most vital, we hope very much that you will be willing to help us too.

Mr. Ryan hopes to meet most of the people who agree to contribute to the book during the summer months of this year, when he will travel across the country conducting interviews. In the meantime, we are really overwhelmed by the hugeness of the project. It would be impossible for us to make any intel - ligent preparation for interviews without having some sort of basic Information in hand. We have drawn up the enclosed questionnaire in the hope that it will provide us with this basic information, and also indicate to you the kind of material which we are looking for. It would be of great assistance to us if you would be willing to complete this and return it to me at your earliest convenience. I should like to know also whether or not you would be able and willing to talk with Mr. Ryan some time during the next few months, and if so, where.

We shall look forward very eagerly to your reply. We really need your help. Thank you for any assistance which you can give us.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

Mr. Thomas Ryan 7348 Blackstone Avenue Chicago, Illinois