ENPages
Page 2
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? George M. Morrow
What was your unit and division? (amphibious) 37th Engr. Combat Bn. 1st Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach second wave, I don't know the time but it was about day break.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P F C What was your age on June 6, 1944? 34 Were you married at that time? Yes What is your wife's name? Mildred Morrow Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? Farm and work for Acme Brick Co. at Buffalo Kansas
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We started Amphibious Engr. Training in July, 1943 and arived in England Nov, 1943 and trained until the reak thing happened.
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 acros the Channel was realy rough I made the landing in one of those 36 man landing craft. And it realy tosed us around. Some of the men were sea sick when we arived at the beach
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). The main rumor with us was that we would make the landing then we would be through and would get to return home and when it didnt turn out that way a few of the boys were realy sick.
Page 3
- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name George Morrow
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No but I still remember that day very well.
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? Just the usual run of conversation.
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 hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes two boys looking for Coniac the first house they came to. and they found it.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck] you more than anything else? Yes [inserted] ? [end inserted]
Page 4
- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name George Morrow
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 ship Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? under a hedgrow with a sniper in a tree
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 have the names of the ones in the Bn, that were awarded the Bronze [?sewid?] arrowhead and the addresses of about six of the ones in my Company.
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 CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE ARE THEY NOW; YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Cornelius Ryan
Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
Page 5
June 6, 1958
Dear Mr. Morrow:
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 next spring on the fifteenth anniversary of the Normandy invasion. Your wife has written us that you participated in the invasion, landing on the Omaha Beach, and so we should like very much to have your help, if you are willing to give us some time and to bear with us during the present phase of the operation.
The project is a huge one: the book will not be a strategic history, but a story of twenty-four hours as men lived them and remember them. For this, Mr. Ryan must go to the people who were there. However, before he can interview anyone intelligently, he must have some basic information. The enclosed questionnaire has been prepared in the hope that it will give us this basic information and, also, indicate to you the kind of material which we are looking for. If you would be willing to complete this and re- turn it to me at your earliest convenience it would be a great help to us. I should like also to know whether or not you will be in Rose during the summer months of this year, should Mr. Ryan be able to meet you there.
We will look forward very eagerly to your reply. We really need your help.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
Mr. George Morrow Rose Kansas