Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 013, folder 14: Lee B. Cason

D-DAY Release VA Cason, M/Sgt. Lee B. [crossed out]CAL.[end crossed out] Co. H, 2d Bn, 8th Inf. Reg. 4th Inf. Div. U

Box 13, #14 Release w PG.

Dear

Used May use again

[crossed out]Profanity[end crossed out]

Excellent Anectodes thru day

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.

1. What is your full name? Lee B. Cason

2. What was your unit and division? H Company, 2nd Bn, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division

3. Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? At Utah Beach, Normandy, between 0630 - 0700 hours, 6 June 1944

4. What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Corporal.

5. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 yrs (and 2 months)

6. Were you married at that time? No.

7. What is your wife’s name? Present wife? If so, Florence M. Cason.

8. Did you have any children at that time? No.

9. What do you do now? Sergeant-Major, Detachment "E", U S Army Advisory Group, Korea.

10. When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About two (2) weeks before D-Day.

11. 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 crossing was well coordinated despite heavy enemy bombing of Tourquay, England, a few nights before embarking. The crossing itself was similiar to other transport convoys except for the unusually crowded conditions due to the full-field equipment, rations, extra clothing, etc., each troop carried. Time was passed during the 48 hours by discussion of personal feelings, families, sweethearts, anticipation of the invasion, chances of getting back safely, and to get the war over with as soon as possible. The channel was rough and many soldiers got sea-sick. As we disembarked from the LCVP 's (landing craft, vehicle and personnel), it was a struggle to go over the side onto rope ladders due to the bad weather and being loaded down with full equipment. It took all my strength to hang on and jump into the LCVP as the boat would rise up on a swell and go down again like an express elevator. At the same time, the boat would bang and scrape against the side of the transport. Immediately before going over the side, I wished luck to some fellows from a supporting Engineer unit who were to blow (cont’d)

12. 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). That German E-Boats were active in this vicinity and would make an all-out attempt to interrupt landing operations. That this was a "surprise" invasion and success depending upon the strength of the enemy in this area. That there were large concentrations of enemy troops at our landing point with impregnable defenses; that the area defenses were weak; that we would have to face the prospect of being driven back into the water if we did not gain a solid foothold and move inland according to schedule. The fear was obvious to many and the imagination of some had a "defeatist" attitude which did not help the situation any. The majority of the troops displayed a solemn, quiet, atti[crossed out]d[end crossed out]tude with apparent thoughts of "how-in-the-hell did I ever get into this mess anyway?" but on the other hand eager to get going since we had come this far. I can recall no rumors like the one cited in the above question.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name M/Sgt Lee B.Cason

13. Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No, diaries were strictly prohibited by regulations.

14. Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes, many friends were wounded and a few killed.

15. Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No since we were well dispersed during the landing. I do not recall talking while going in on the beach. (except muttering some obscene language to myself while struggling through the water and mud.)

16. Were you wounded? Yes, but not on D-Day. On 22 June 1944, I stepped on a land mine,a German anti-personnel mine called a "Bouncing Betty". I recall leaning over to put my pack down when an explosion took place under my right foot (cont’d)

17. 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? (See answer above)

18. Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes, I was strictly a nonsmoker but always accepted my carton of cigarettes as part of my rations. I always gave them to those who needed them most such as the heavy smokers. After a day or two in combat, we were caught in a trap. (enemy cross-fire and artillery and mortar fire pin-pointing our position while the area was jammed with invasion troops and airborne soldiers who had made the drop in this area). I escaped the trap but was so shaken up that I started smoking my own cigarettes from then on. It helped me as we continued on.

Another incident that seems humorous now was that during the invasion landing while coming in to shore in LCVP’s, I suddenly found myself cursing to high heaven, using all the profanity I knew to spite Hitler and Mussolini for getting us in this predicament. Being a young lad of 20 years and of fairly high morals, the profanity shocked quite a few buddies. This occurred while about 500 yards from the beach and the boat was rapidly filling up with water and the tension increased. (cont’d)

19. Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, definately. I happened to look to my right while we were moving inland on the beach and saw a soldier (unidentified) about 60 yards. A shell came over from our left and as I hit the mud, it exploded where he was. All I remember seeing was a hole but don’t recall seeing the body.

It was a memorable occasion to see medical aidmen answering to the cry of "Medics!" as we were huddled up against the sea wall waiting for the enemy artillery fire to lift which was coming from our left. They exposed themselves as if immune to danger or personal injury. They have had my respects ever since that day. The calmness some soldiers was remarkable. In assaults such as this, it is usually accompanied by errors of judgement, panic, confusion, and sometimes fear which will affect a man’s efficiency. This was not the case. Being well trained, but with no actual combat experience until that day, it was amazing how well trained we really were. Each man did his job to the best of his ability and a little bit more. We were all proud that we were under Colonel James A. Van Fleet (now General, retired) who was our Regimental Commander. We were his boys and appreciated his interest and concern for us.

One incident I will never forget which I believe happened on that day was seeing an American soldier leaning against a tree stump with a .45 pistol in his hand (cont'd)

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name M/Sgt Lee B. Cason

20. 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. While getting off the half-swamped landing craft with full-field equipment and a mortar baseplate (baseplate alone was 45 pounds), my legging lace caught on the ramp chain. As I stepped down into the water, the boat was pitching and rolling and I had to decide either to drop the baseplate and struggle for dear life in the water, or attempt to yank my leg free while off-balance. My right leg was hanging high and could’nt balance myself much longer. The water was chest high. I had already lost my carbine and had to have the baseplate so jerked my leg hard, snapping the strong legging lace. I regained my balance and was thankful that I did not panic. I might add that the baseplate came in handy a few moments later. (Try firing an 81 mm mortar without one.)

21. Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On a troop transport in the English channel. Destination: Somewhere on French soil.

22. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Inland about 4 or 5 miles either digging in, moving on, or firing our mortars.

23. 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? No one in my present unit here in Korea, although this write-up has been given maximum publicity throughout the Far East and I am sure that you will receive favorable results.

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

Item 11 (cont'd)

up the concrete sea wall on the beach. They were to be one of the first to land. We were to follow shortly. Tension among the troops increased as we realized that the weather was worse than we anticipated.

Item 16 (cont ’d)

I felt no pain at the moment but was stunned momentarily. After a few seconds, I looked around and saw that I was standing there alone. Every one had taken cover when the mine went off. One by one they reappeared and asked me if I was all right. I was afraid my right leg had been blown off since I felt nothing from my right hip on down but suddenly realized that if it were blown off, I would'nt be standing there. When I looked down, I saw this gapping hole under my foot. The sole of my boot was torn apart and the nails protruding. I was evacuated to England with a few bone frat[inserted]c[end inserted]ures and contusion. It seemed strange not to be able to walk after all the training we had gone through.

Item 18 (cont'd)

It felt good to let off steam that way and feel it actually helped me.

Item 19 (cont’d)

threatening anyone who came near him. His foot was blown off completely. I never did know what happened to him after that.

Another incident that was frightening to me was seeing a leg of an American soldier, (identified by the combat boot and canvas legging) that was blown off from the thigh. The stench of shell smoke and death was everywhere and this sight was hard to stomach.

Seeing our first prisoners was memorable, although they were a scroungy looking bunch, they did'nt look like Germans. I later found out that they were conscripts from overrun countries in Europe and forced to fight alongside the Germans. The true, die-hard Nazis soldiers and SS troopers (shutzenstaffel) were yet to be faced and the real battles began as we moved inland.