Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 015, folder 20: William J. Eisemann

*SAW PRILLER FLYING AROUND Husky Rocket Sup EISEMANN, William J. NY 55 D Day Book NAVY

Release to PG Box 15, #20

*Saw Priller

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW AT ANY TIME AT YOUR CONVENIECE Bethpage, L.I. N-O-E NY 55 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? William J. Eisemann

What was your unit and division? Husky Rocket Support Division What is this?-* May be worth an interview by virtue of what he was doing if not by virtue of what he says Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Easy Red beach- Omaha- D-Day pre H-hour and H-hour

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieut. (J.G.) U.S.N.R. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24 Were you married at that time? no What is your wife ’s name? Did you have any children at that time?

What do you do how? Staff Assistant - pension New England Mutual Life Insurance Co.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? in U.S.A. after return from Sicily invasion and re-order to Europe.

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? played Acey-Ducey, reviewed operation plan, almost got sick due to rough water, glad it would soon be over, went to religious services. 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 were to be put over side on D-Day and ships would evacute area and leave us to shift for ourselves (this incidentally, turned out to be true)

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Eiseman

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? no. but I have the plans and maps issued to our unit as well as other souvenirs.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? no Do you remember any conversations yona had with them before they became casualties? Were you wounded? No

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? Do you remember seeing- or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? at great effort and with great secrecy, a special shipment of equipment was sent to us. this turned out to be camoflaged infantry jungle gear and telephone linemens equipment.

Do you recall any incident, sad ©r heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? 1. Disappointment that most of the floating infantry tanks of the first wave broached and sank. 2. Amazement when, in midst of thousands of barrage balloons on the ships, a German plane came in at 50 feet, flew length of area, and did not collide with any balloons or wires.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Eisemann

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? no, not at this time. perhaps a review of my papers will make me recall one or two.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on board USS LST 374 off easy red beach somewhere off Normandy

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? on the water in small boat looking for a "home" LST 374 returned to England

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? Ed. P. Grochowski, Franklinville, N.J. William File, Beckey, West Virginia

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

#2

54 Curtis Place Bethpage, L.I., New York

June 2-58

Miss Frances Ward Reader's Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, New York

Dear Miss Ward:

In reading the American Legion Magazine, I noticed that you are interested in locating veterans of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, June 6-44.

During WW II, I served with the U. S. Navy and participated in that assault....the initial assault...as my specific job was with the first wave in rocket boats.

I would be pleased to relate to you my experiences before, during, and after that event as pertains to the invasion.

Yours sincerely, W J Eisemann WILLIAM J. EISEMANN Ex-Lieutenant, U. S. N. R.