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Bassett, Wis.
WIS - 11 BLACK
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 ? Raymond J. Wertz
What was your unit and division? 187 Port Co. att. to 5th brigade
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? (Omaha) about 7 a.m. June 6th
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? T/4
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23
Were you married at that time ? yes
What is your wife's name? Catherine
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? self employed - washed sand and gravel
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? When I was in England
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 water was rough. Cant remember what was said to well.
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). There was Rommel's Panzer Div. waiting to blow us out of the water.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Raymond J. Wertz
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? Yes
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Not very well
Were you wounded? No
Do you remember what it was like -- that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Yes, lots of things
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Raymond J. Wertz
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 from D-day? yes
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Dug in on [crossed out] Omaha [end crossed out] Beach in France
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Yes
I am a real busy man at this time of year. If and when a men comes to see me I can tell him more in a short time then I can write in a week. Thanks a lot Ray Wertz
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
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6 - 4 -58 Ques. Pet.
Miss Frances Ward Reader's Digest 230 Park Ave. New York, N.Y.
Dear Miss Ward - A note to inform you that my husband was one of the first men to land on Normandy. He was on the "Omaha Beach" and was awarded the bronz arrow head because of it. I understand that not many of those "first men" survived and thank God he did. I asked his permission before writing to you and he will be willing to tell you people what you want to know, but may I say this - These first - hand stories bring back some terribly vivid and unhappy memories to the men. They must be worthy of these men who are willing to reopen wounds mentally sustained.
Yours truly, Mrs. Ray Wertz Box 93 Bassett, Kenosha C. Wis.
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