Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 019, folder 16: Douglas Ray Yates

YATES, Douglas Ray 6th Eng Sp Brig O Wyo 4 Box 19, #16

WYO 4 Yoder, Wyo. For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day GREEN

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? Douglas Ray Yates

What was your unit and division? 149th Engr Corps 6th Engs Sp B

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 3rd wave on Omaha beach, at 6:45

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P.F.C.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 24

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? No

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Farmer

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? After we were 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? Our trip was a very quite one, no one said much we got off our LST 12 miles off the beach and were put on a Bivo fairy [ferry] , we could see all the fireworks then very plain. But I guess no body knows quit[e] what a feeling it was. Knowing that we were going ahshore. But I got in OK and was one of the lucky ones

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). no body had much to say. just sat looking over at the beach. I suppose that there were some remarks But don't recall any of them now.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No I didn't have a chance the first few Days only to try and remember what they had tought us and to keep my head.

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes there were some wounded and killed

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No

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. A Colored Boy was Digging a hole. And I saw the pile of Dirt and thought I could get in it. Just as I was going to get in this Colored boy looked up at me and all I could see was the whit[e] of his eyes. and he was realy Digging and realy scared. I was scared too But I had to laugh at the way he was Digging.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The only thing that I Do remember was the Medics going up the Hill to get the wounded and the germans shot and killed several of them and they were even helping their wounded boys.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name

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? NO

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

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? On Omaha beach.

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? Jake [Fuss, Fass ?] 101st Airborne, landed at midnight June 5th 1027, 20th St Apt C Santa Monica Calif. As getting in contact with me, I live here in Yoder and do not get away from here so I guess here is as good as any place

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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/LL Yoder Wyo May 28.58 Miss Ward I was reading the legion magazine, and saw where they are wanting information about D Day in Normandy. I was with the Combat Engr and landed on Ohmaha beach D Day at 7:15 on the third wave. I would be glad to helped you all I could as I think a book would Sure be nice I also have 300 pictures taken from Normandy to 65 miles from Berlin, As thats where we stopped and let the Russins go on in, So if I can be of any help Plesae let me know over