Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 015, folder 45: Gordon A. Littlefield

LITTLEFIELD, Gordon A. USS Bayfield Mass 11 Box 15, #45

UTAH

Cmdr. USCG Littlefield USS BAYFIELD

"I was busy preparing the ship and crew for landings. We were Flag and also had staffs of 7th Corps and 4th Inf. Div. aboard as well as a Reg. Combat team The men were quiet, expectant, tense.

"I remember a French woman coming aboard with the wounded. She had been shot in the buttocks

"I was mighty proud of American boys "

Dead

N-TE Doxbury ,Mass. MASS 11 LL XO of Bayfield of Utah 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 ? Gordon A. Littlefield

What was your unit and division? U.S.S. Bayfield I was Executive Officer Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? 0200 6 June 1944 What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Commander, U.S.C.G. What was your age on June 6, 1944? 47 yrs Were you married at that time? yes What is your wife's name? Nell M. Littlefield Did you have any children at that time? yes. 1 son age 7 yrs. What do you do now? Retired When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? suspected in March 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? I was busy- preparing the ship and crew for landings. We were Flag and also had staffs of 7th Corp. and 4th Inf. Div. aboard as well as a combat Reg. Team

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 olanned to set it afire whan the troops came in ). yes. many rumors these were quiet expectant tense

- for Cornelius Ryan - 2 Your name G A Littlefield

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No, against regulations Have pictures.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? No

Do you remember any conversations you 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? French women came aboard with wounded. Shot in the buttocks.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? many [illegible]

- for Cornelius Ryan 3Your name G A Littlefield

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things, examples of either ? mostly great ingenuity much stress- mighty proud of Am. boys

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Plymouth Hbr. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Midway for operations

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 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

June 16,1958

Rear Admiral Gordon A. Littlefield Duxbury Massachusetts

Dear Admiral Littlefield:

A history of D-Day, June 6f 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary 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 Department of the Army 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 invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.

During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during 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 that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some 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 personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Enclosure