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GA RO-I 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? Max F. Schneider
What was your unit and division? 5th Ranger Battalion
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach, Verville exit at approximately H+30 min.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lt Colonel
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 32 years
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife!3 name? Jacquelin B. Schneider
Did you have any children at that time? Yes. Two boys age 5 and 6
What do you do now? U.S. Army, Commanding United States Army Infantry Center Troop Command.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? October or November 1943.
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 channel crossing was rough and many were sick; I do not recall conv- ersation but we passed the time playing poker, also checking troops and equipment.
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 very little of this as all our troops were thoroughly briefed on the operation - this was due to the specialized nature of our mission.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Max F. Schneider
In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do inoredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either? Yes.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard the HMS Prince Leopold.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On the southern outskirts of Vervllle Sur Mere, 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?
Mr. James E. Rudder (CO of the 2nd Ranger Bn.) presently Vice Chancellor of Texas A&M College.
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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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Max F. Schneider
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? Yes.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard the HMS Prince Leopold.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On the southern outskirts of Verville Sur Mere, 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?
Mr.James E.Rudder (CO of the 2nd Ranger Bn.) presently Vice Chancellor of Texas A&M College. , 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 HOT 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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DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH initials rlf MILITARY PFRSONNEL DIVISION, AC Date 22/6/44 RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT
Last Name First Name Middle Initial Serial No Grade SCHNEIDER MAX F. 0384849 Lt. Col.
Organization Foreign Others Infantry
Headquarters Station or APO CO No Section Date 1st United States Army 230 28 I 20 June 1944
Type of Award Posthumous DO NOT WRITE IN COLUMN BELOW D.S.C. No
Oak-Leaf Clusters Number Posthumous
By Command of Amended Revoked ARMY COMMAND R:
CITATION
For extraordinary heroism in action on 6 Jun 1944 at ****France. In the initial landings in the invasion of France, Lt Col Schneider led the 5th Ranger Infantry Battallion ashore at "H" hour on "D" day in the face of extremely heavy enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar, artillery and rocket fire. Upon reaching the beach Lt Col Schneider reorganized his unit. During this reorganization he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire. He then led his battalion in the assault on the enemy beach positions, and having accomplished this mission led them up a steep incline to assault the enemy gun emplacements on the top of the hill. The [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] destruction of these enemy positions opened one of the vital beach exits, thereby permitting the troops and equipment which had been pinned down to move inland from the beach, with the result that reinforcements could be landed from the sea. By his heroic leadership and personal courage Lt Col Schneider set an inspiring example to his command, reflecting the highest traditions of the armed forces.
Entered military service from 1 MA.