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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? Joseph H. Gibbons
What was your unit and division? Naval Combat Demolition Units - Force Omaha
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach H + 10 minutes
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieut. Commander USNR
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 43
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife's name? Elizabeth
Did you have any children at that time? Yes Two sons
What do you do now? Sales Manager N.Y. Telephone Co.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? April 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? Will forward on separate sheet.
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
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Joseph H. Gibbons
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? We suffered 51% casaulties
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? They were either dead or dying when I reached them
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? Too much to do - too much excitement - guess surprised
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes - will relate on separate sheet & forward
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes - will relate on separate sheet & forward
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Joseph H. Gibbons
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? Will relate on separate sheet & forward.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Portsmouth, England?
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In a foxhole on the beach
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? Have a list at home, I believe - Army Engineers
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THE CAN INCLUDE TOUR 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
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Interview: N.B. To be interviewed again
Joseph H. Gibbons New York Telephone Company 165 West 46th Street, N.Y. 36 (Sales Manager)
Release - to be signed
Joseph Gibbons, Lt. Commander USNR, Annapolis man. In charge of navy demolition teams on Omaha - 171 men - they had to blow 16 pathways - 16 boats - 8 reserve - plus section officers boats - had 51% casualties - 7 naval men and 5 army per boat, plus rubber boat in LCN loaded with explosives - cleaned 5 l/2 paths that day 0'Neill to Gibbons “That sniper has it in for you" “Naked Warriors” Fayre and Moore