Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 015, folder 54: Samuel H. Nederlander

U 518 Port Btn NEDERLANDER, Samuel H. Pa 34

Box 13, #54

[*PA 4 Portage, Pa. LL*]

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? Samuel H. Nederlander

What was your unit and division? 300th Port Company, 518th Port Bn.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach on D. Day at daybreak.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Corporal

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23years

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 now? Scrap Inspector for the Bethlehem Steel Company, Johnstown, Penna.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? If I recall correctly it was about 3 to 5 days before.

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? The Channel was choppy and some men were sick. I remarked to a sailor that the Channel was no place to be [crossed out]d[end crossed out] practicing with Depth Charges. He replied that this wasn’t any practice. That was the day before D Day.

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). I don’t recall any rumors, but after we received General Eisenhower’s printed message ( I still have a copy of it) we knew it was the real thing and then someone remarked about the French females and hoped we would all make it.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Samuel H. Nederlander

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No. We were not permitted to keep a diary.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? No. One man had fallen in the landing and had broken his leg.

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? Our landing barge was strafed by the enemy about 9 times. (Luckily we were not hit.) The first run they made I dived under a truck on our barge that was loaded with gasoline, ammunition and dynamite. It belonged to an Engineer Battalion that was on our boat.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes. Some men from our outfit volunteered to finish unloading an[crossed out]d[end crossed out] ammunition ship that was badly damaged. The Navy had ordered the ship abandoned. [crossed out]A[end crossed out] Ammunition at this time was badly needed and was first on any list to be unloaded.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Samuel H. Nederlander

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? I did a stupid thing. I heard a plane during the nite and I looked out of my shelter half and the whole beach was lit up. I yelled to [crossed out]by[end crossed out] my buddy and then I dived into my foxhole. I had forgotten my gas mask and as I turned to ask my friend to bring it with him, I looked up and the bright light which I had thought was an enemy Chandelier Flare was nothing more than the bright moon.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On the Channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? 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? The only onesthat I know of right now would be members of my Company or Battalion. If you would want some of these names I would be [crossed out]gald[end crossed out] glad to send them to you.

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*]

521 Orchard St., Portage, Penna. June 4th, 1958

Miss Frances Ward, Reader’s Digest, 230 Park Ave., New York, N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward:

I read Mr. Ryan’s ad in the American Legion Magazine concerning D-Day Veterans.

In reply to this ad, I was a member of the 300th Port Company, 518th Port Bn. which participated in the invasion of Normandy, June 6th, 1944. We landed on Utah Beach on this date.

I hope I can be of some help to Mr. Ryan and I might also add that I still have contact with quite a few members of this organization. He may be able to get in touch with these men for additional information.

Sincerely,

Samuel H. Nederlander