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V-N Hudson Falls, N.Y.
For Cornelius Ryan NY38 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 ? Richard William Clifford
What was your unit and division? Medical Detachment 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Inf. Div
Where did you arrive in Normandy and at what time ? Utah Beach 8:15 A.M. What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Capt. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 34 Were you married at that time ? yes What is your wife's name ? Theresa E. Clifford
Did you have any children at that time ? No What do you do now? Dentistry
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About 1 wk. 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 ? crossed on an LCM Mostly bored but with some tinges of anxiety slept in an extra bunk which the ships dog had claimedkept kicking him (or her) out all night
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 ). None- we were well briefed on what to expect
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name R.W.Clifford
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No- too busy
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
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? Felt a thud- seemed like several minutes after the shell exploded but was, of course, almost instantaneous.
Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? First contact with the 82nd Airborne was one of their men riding / Who? into our lines on a large white horse. Flaming suppy truck going along with the driver unaware of the conflagration behind him- drivers reactions were rather quick when he learned of his predicament. Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Gen. Roosevelt, bareheaded, striding up + down the seawall directing operations with his swagger stick.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name R.W. Clifford
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? A captured German officer foolishly exposing himself to artillery fire in order to indicate his lack of fear. I later heard he was killed by his own artillery. worth a call
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? About 4 mi inside France
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?
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 IP 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
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#2 5/24/58 Miss Ward: # 2 I was a member of 8th Medical Detachment, 4th Inf. Div. - landed in Utah Beach 8:30 A.M. June 6, 1944. With same unit through France, Belgium + part of Germany Will be glad to assist Mr. Ryan if possible. R.W. Clifford D.D.S. 171 Main St Hudson Falls, N.Y. Phine-4-4658