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Vernon Augustine Thompson Belt 2 - 8 A

Thompson: Because we knew who stayed there and they were all sailors and of course where most
of the sailors stayed and they were all attached to one I guess its one squadron
something like that down that landing craft - I did[inserted]n't[end inserted] know and try and got anybody
that had anything to do - knew how to steer a boat or any or anything else.

Ryan: Who came up and asked — who came up would you say

Thompson: A Lt. Knight

Ryan: Lt. Knight - U. S. Airman

Thompson: Yes - he came up and trying to...

Ryan: What did he say - do you know

Thompson: Said we'll need somebody for landing craft boats — anybody that can steer one or
has ever had anything to do with outboard motors or any of that type - that I guess
most of us knew we had lost quite a few men down there and most of them are in charge
of the boats and we’ve got to have somebody to take these soldiers

Ryan: Now whereabouts were you staying - where were you staying - were you in a hotel

Thompson: No - I [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] was on the base

Ryan: On the base - what was that base called

Thompson; The only thing I know - it was called (sounds like Gorman

Ryan: Gorman

Thompson: Cou Beaumont base - I believe

Ryan: What - how do you spell it

Thompson: Colle Beaumont Base

Ryan: Oh - Colle Beaumont Base

Thompson: (can’t make out) - 3rd belt starting

Ryan: And when did Knight come in and do this - in the morning sometime

Thompson: It was very early the next morning, Yes

Ryan: On the morning of June 5th

Thompson: That’s right