Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 011, folder 14: Dale E. Boyd

BOYD, Dale E. Box 11, #14

Pocahontis, Iowa O-N

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day IA7 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? Dale E. Boyd

What was your unit and division? Co "A", 18th Infantry, 1st US Infantry Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? ------- Easy Red, Omaha Beach About 7:30 or 8:00 AM

What was your rank on June 61 1944? 1st Lieut

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Ardis

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Weekly newspaper Editor

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Officially two or three weeks ahead

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? We crossed on an LCI - It was a little stormy. Some were seasick. I was too concerned with Duties to recall any conversations vividly.

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). None that I recall. Our unit was a "seasoned" one and we had the situation pretty well G-2'ed.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Dale E. Boyd

Did you by any chance 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

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

Were you wounded? Not in the invasion -- Later

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 Not much pain.

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes, the shooting of a French woman dressed in a German uniform in a pillbox. The splattering of human flesh when a shell hit in our column of men as it wound it's way off the beach.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes. As Capt. Bill Russell led this "K" company from the beach to higher ground through a field of anti-personnel mines with utter abandon.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Dale E. Boyd

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? A Lieut. MacCouchie swam ashore when his LCP was sunk - the only survivor, I think -- A destroyer commander who grounded his ship and was firing point blank at a German pillbox.

'Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard ship, preparatory to the invasion.

'Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? About a 1,000 yards up from the beach -- later that night, we infiltrated through the German lines.

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? Teno Roncalio - Now in Cheyenne, Wyoming I believe he's an attorney there and State Democratic chairman.

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 G!VEN 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

July 7, 1958

Mr. Dale boyd Pocahoutas, Democrat Pocahoutas, Iowa

Dear Mr. Boyd:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twentyfour hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.

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 literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, 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 during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

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