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Bklyn, (840 Montgomery Street) N.Y.
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? Rufus Charles Boling Jr.
What was your unit and division? Co B. 8th Inf. 4th Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 6 o clock in the morning was wounded in monteburgh France on the 10th day of June
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Priviat
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 17
Were you married at that time? no
What is your wife's name? Ada
Did you have any children at that time? no
What do you do now? Superintendent of [?apt.?] house and plumber
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Aproximently two hours before the invasion
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 were very crowded we talked played cards we knew it was war by all the ammo. we were[?assured?].
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). There were all kinds of rumors some said we were going to a place for special training
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for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Rufus C. Boling
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? Five were left in my squad This is Utah!
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? no we were too [?busy?] and scared
Were you wounded? yes
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? I do not know what hit me when I woke up I was in the first aid Hospital next to the Beach
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? no the only thing I will never forget is the invasion of the Germans Threw everything at us [?even?] a bowl of rice,
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Rufus C. Boling
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?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on the boat ready for the invasion
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? we had taken the Beach and [?got?] a little in land.
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 operation, whom we should write to? I do not know exact. I was placed in the 4th Div in England during the invasion up to the 10th we had mostly Replacements Lt. [?Hada?] Capt. Winters Prt. Landers Sgt. Cocoa were [?left?].
PLEASE LEE 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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July 2, 1958
Mr. Rufus C. Boling 840 Montgomery Street Brooklyn, New York
Dear Mr. Boling:
Thank you very much for you letter and your willingness to help us with Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I hope you will forgive the delay in replying to your kind offer of assistance; we are gratified, but somewhat overwhelmed, by the wonderful response which we are getting as a result of our requests for information.
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 so many people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope 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. We want very much to the tell the story of you unit, and in order to do that we need the personal accounts of the men who we there. We particularly look forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW: LL Enclosure