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For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day KY2
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? Webb Woodrow Chesnut
What was your unit and division? 1st Infantry Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? About noon June 6.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30 years Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Did you have any children at that time?
What do you do now? I make loans to farmers through Production Credit Association
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About one month before June 6.
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? Very little conversation - most of rested in our bunks. I told my men that some of would be hurt and that someone might be any of us.
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). One rumor we had was that the landing would be an easy one.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Webb Woodrow Chesnut
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 that day, but I was 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? Very little 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 war ships trying to soften the beaches - a major who hit the sands and when he did his life belt inflated and lifted his up high enough that a bullet hit him. This major turned on his back and was trying to take his belt off when a bullet went through the fleshy part of his stomach.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable; which struck you more than anything else? Many of the wounded boys who were down on the ground offered their ammunition and food to us who were going forward. Some of us took the ammunition but did not take the food.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Webb Woodrow Chesnut
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? On a ship crossing the English Channel.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? About 300 yards up the beach moving forward.
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 know several but I do not have the addresses.
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.
I will be glad to talk to Mr. Ryan.
Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
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DECORATIONS AND AWARDS AGENCY MILITARY PERSONEL DIVISION ACC. RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT
11/3/44
CHESNUT WEBB W. 01298356 1st Lt. Inf. 1st United States Army 230 39 II 31 July 1944 Distinguished-Service Cross NO MAJ. GEN. W. B. KEAN
CITATION For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 13 June 1944, in ****. When enemy attack was launched against his company, First Lieutenant Chesnut despite the heavy fire laid down by the enemy forces refused to give ground. During the uneven engagement First Lieutenant Chesnut single handedly assaulted an enemy machine gun nest which was inflicting heavy casualties on his company. Amid a hail of bullets and a barrage of hand grenades directed at him, he personally killed the crew and destroyed the gun. The personal bravery and courageous leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Chesnut reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
Entered military service from Alabama.