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4 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? Stanley H* Alpaugh What was your unit and division? Company I, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Utah Beach, Approximately four hours after "H" hour.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 2nd Lieutenant What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23 Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Wanda R. Alpaugh Did you have any children at that time?
No What do you do now? Operations Officer, New York Army Air Defense Command Post Headquarters, 52nd Artillery Brigade, (Air Defense)-
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
We trained for and fully expected to be part of the invasion forces several months prior to D-Day. We learned that we would be committed at "H" plus one in our assembly area at Torquay, England approximately one week prior to D-Day.
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 across the channel was uneventful. We spent most of our time in briefings, boat drill, map study and checking equipment. At midnight we were on deck watching the bombardment.
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). Rumors I don' t recall, the things the Germans actually had caused us the most concern - screaming mimi’s, miniature tanks filled with high explosives and of course the famous 88.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Stanley H. Alpaugh
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Yes
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?
Yes, three days 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?
A bullet hit the firing mechanism of a grenade in my pocket. When the grenade exploded I felt only the shock of the explosion. I spent four months in the hospital but the only pain I experienced was during my convalescence.
Do you remember seeing* or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes, our unsinkable assault craft foundering in the rough sea, our rescue and final trip to the beach.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, our company medic who went through a minefield to evacuate a seriously wounded man.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Stanley H. Alpaugh
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? Aboard ship, crossing the channel Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Dug in on the beach
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 lost contact with these people through the years.
hand written note... I will be available for interview any time (after) crossed through. between now and 21 July or anytime after 11 July S H Alpaugh ...end hand written note.
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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% 15 April 1958
Miss Francis Ward Headers Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, N.Y.
Dear Miss Ward:
In the Fort Wadsworth Daily Bulletin I note that you are interested in contacting personnel who participated in the D-Day, 5 - 6 June 1944, invasion.
I served as a platoon leader with Company I, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division during the period in which you are particularly interested.
Yours very truly, [hand written signature] S H Alpaugh [end signature.] STANLEY H. ALPAUGH
Major S H Alpaugh Qtrs 18A Fort Wadsworth Staten Island 5 New York