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[*WASHINGTON
It will be convenient to talk with Mr Ryan at any time GDH
N - I N - 1 LL WASH [crossed out]7[end crossed out]
DC 9 CO of destroyer
sunk off
Utah.
Will probably
have to be
interviewed -
must have
a story
yes!]*

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? George Dewey Hoffman

What was your unit and division? Commanding Officer,
USS Corry (DD 463)

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
At H-30 minutes arrived Banc de San Marcouf,
2500 yards off shore. at H- hour [inserted]ship[end inserted] blown in two
by a mine in conjunction with fire from shore batteries
[*Ensign
Brunette
Blue
5 - 8*]
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieut Comdr USN
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 33
[*Pentagon
L156700
Ex
wife
Jefferson
2-0074*]
Were you married at that time? yes

What is your wife's name? Lois Ward Hoffman

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Captain US Navy - assigned duty in
office Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Dept Wash D.C.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
in 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?
3 destroyers of our division lead the invasion craft
up to the beach area, as close as we could approach,
and then assumed close-in fire support stations
for the landing.

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).
Our destroyer division commander before sailing
for Normandy [inserted]predicted[end inserted] that one or two of his four
ships would be sunk. The CORRY was the
fulfillment of his estimate.