Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 013, folder 12: Harry Lester. Brown

In D-Day Book 4th Inf Div Release BROWN, Harry Lester Mich 5 Box 13 #12 Release with PG

Co E. 8th UTAH Uncle Red Gen Roosevelt in his boat Copenhagen Snuff

nobody was [unclear]

Roosevelt on beach

Walked around as if he were buying real estate

MICH 5 V-E Clauson Michigan [Cna't find letter]

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 ? Harry Lester Brown

What was your unit and division? Co. "E", 8th Inf., 4th Inf. Div. Green or Red

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? UTAH Beachhead 6 A.M. June 6 , 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sgt.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26

Were you married at that time ? No

What is your wife's name ? Edna Burriss Brown Sec II

Did you have any children at that time ? No.

What do you do now ? Doctor of Optometry

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? Feb. 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 ? Being in the initial assault wave, we passed the entire convoy because of a circuitous route. There was some speculation as to what some of the equipment was; for example, floating docks, and amphibious tanks. There was a card game aboard with several different kinds of money in the pot. On the night of June 5th, we were served a big steak dinner - which I lost enroute. The weather was mild until we transferred to the small boats. Then the sea became rough, we were in the small boats for four hours. One of our passengers was Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., which was a big thrill to me. On one of our practice landings previously, Gen. Roosevelt had good-naturedly chided me for being seasick. However, that morning he himself had the same complaint.

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), we started several rumors ourselves purposely; such as, "There is a load of rice and chopsticks on board," or "We are to be issued snowshoes and shorts".

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name Harry L. Brown

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, several, John Gwiadosky, Anthony Stioa(spelling?) and others whose names I cannot remember.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes, one. In the marshalling area John Gwiadosky repaid a small loan to me, saying, "I don’t want you chasing me all over hell trying to collect.”

Were your wounded? Yes, I was wounded on June 10th and June 24th.

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? Were you wounded? It hurt like the dickens!

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? In the marshalling area, I received my mail which included an advertisement from ADLER Elevator Shoes - the one thing I did not need at that time.

Immediately after disembarking from the landing craft, I turned to signal my squad to form in V-formation and a huge wave knocked me flat on my back.

My squad, including me, was pretty sad. I, towering 5 ft. 5 1/2in. tall and 26 years old , was the biggest and the youngest in the squad. They called us "Brown’s Midgets” or "Brown’s Circus." In addition to all our equipment, we were carrying extra cans of Copenhagen snuff for the assistant gunner. All in all, my squad may have had the smallest bodies, but they had the biggest hearts on the beach.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? In the midst of all the supporting fire and enemy counter-fire, I saw Gen. Roosevelt walking around with a cane as if he were buying real estate.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name Harry L. Brown

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? The men and officers in our Company displayed all the good qualities to make the invasion a success.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard the troop carrier on the Channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Just outside St. Marie Eglais

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 have a company roster of names and home addresses which you may borrow. I shall be available for interview if you desire. note my present address: 1040 Broadacre Avenue Clawson, Michigan

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. RILL 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

July 14, 1958,

Mr. Harry L. Brown 4517 Beylis Centerline, Michigan

Dear Mr. Brown:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty- four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.

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 liter- ally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an in- dividual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, 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 during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Enclosure