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Lancaster, Pa LL For Cornelius Ryan PA 65 Book about D-day (can't find letters)
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? William J. Clayton What was your unit and division? Co I- 8th Inf- 4th Div. Black Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah H-hour + 30 minutes What was your rank on June 1944? staff-sgt What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26 yrs old Were you married at that time? no What is your wife's name? Ruth McConnell Clayton Did you have any children at that time? no What do you do now? Clerk- Railway Express Agency- Phila Pa
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? May 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? We played cards- joked about directing traffic in Cherbourgh
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). Read a paper from N.Y. which had an article telling the only possible place that the Americans could land in France. Everything mention in article was about the place we were heading for at that time. The paper passed around the ship very rapidly, caused a lot of extra pressure on the troops
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 Your name William Clayton
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? One officer wounded on D-day
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties ?
Were you wounded ? yes- twice
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? No pain- one of my buddies told me that I had a rip in my pants
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed fumy at the time ?
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The Death of General Roosevelt + the Death of President Roosevelt
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name William Clayton
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?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In the field trying to sleep plus keeping one eye on the enemy- sleep won out
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? James Blackstock - 1431 N. Howard St . Phila. Pa Carl J Dunst - 7501 Manti St. Phila.Pa John Donise - 301/2 Park Pl. Saratoga Springs, N.Y Roy Dempsey - 1613 Glen Keith Blvd. towson 4 Md John Elinsky - 1303 Orthodox St. Phils Pa Nick Erdeljae - 2B garden Drive, Turtle Creek Pa [crossed out] Wm Fitzgibbons - 58 Middlesex St. Wilmington Mass [end crossed out] Leo Frederick - 6955 Pawline St. Phila. Pa Henry Haduk - Valley Falls, R. Island A.V. Herrin - 1904 Greenwood Ave, Trenton, N. J. Adam J. Leonard - 1427 Princess Ave, Camden, N.J. Capt Fritz Maisel - 115 Sanford Ave, Cantonsville, Md James McElroy - Box 1063 Onset, Mass
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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 21, 1958
Mr. William Clayton 6230 Oak Park Hoad Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Dear Mr. Clayton:
A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniver- sary 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 De - partment of the Amy 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 in- vasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us. During the next few months, both in country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to con- tribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you dur- ing that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual 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 these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystal- lize seme 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 per- sonal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours, Frances Ward Research Department
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