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0.18 Ashtabula, Ohio For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day Black
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? Ernest J. Chontos
What was your unit and division? 33rd F.A.Bn. - First Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach, about 3 or 4 am. June 6th.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Pvt. ✓
What was your age on June 6, 19447 22 Were you married at that time? no What is your wife's name? Charlotte L. Chontos Did you have any children at that time? No. What do you do now? Real Estate Field
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About January of 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? The trip was uneventful more like a cruise. Conversation centered around home etc. Card games helped spend the time.
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). Off hand I do not recall.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Ernest J. Chontos
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? I did have one, which was against regulations, but left it behind after I was wounded.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day?
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?
Were you wounded? Yes but not on D Day.
Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? Like a whip.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? No, but there probably were a few.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, for one, the wounded from the first assult that the tide had washed out to sea. Those that were fortunate enough to inflate their life preservers floated in the water either waiting to be picked up or pleading to be put out of their misery.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Ernest J. Chontos
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 from D-day?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Off the coast of France
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On Omaha Beach
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, 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 of a few, if I could find their 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 HA.VE 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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July 10, 1958 Readers Digest 230 Park Ave. New York, N.Y. LH#2
Dear Miss WardThis is in response to the advertisement in the last issue of the V.F.W. magazine.
I would gladly contribute my recollection of the events of D-Day which may not in it self be of too great importance because as you may know, each unit had their own phase of combat area and we knew what was taking place only in our respective sectors. As I many times think back to that day I see confusion all over which no doubt it was. Yes, I would be pleased to contribute to your commemorating issue of D-Day if I possibly can.
I was with the 33 F.A. Bn being a part of the "First Division", and landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Sincerely Yours Ernest J. Chontos (over)