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O - TE So. Bend, INDIANA IND 12
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? John Joe Zmudzinski
What was your unit division? 37th Engineer Combat Bn., Part of 5th Engineer Special Brigade
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? On Omaha Beach (Easy Red) Approx: 7:30 in the morning on June 6, 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Private, First Class
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 years old
Were you married at that time? No.
What is your wife's name? Marvel Jean Zmudzinski
Did you have any children at that time? No.
What do you do now? For past 4 years I have been a City Mail Carrier
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion ? We suspected it for quite some time because of the nature of own training, but we were actually briefed on that landing several days before we boarded the landing craft in southern 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? We left Weymouth, England late afternoon June 5th and stayed below deck most of the time, I was in the front of the ship and it was rough riding, they gave each man a paper bag, for a neat trip in case of sea sickness. The time was passed mostly just talking or playing cards.
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 were some rumors on board, but I don't remember any specific one at the present time. I think we were very well brified on the type of beach and terrain to expect, especially the heavily mined beach area.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -
Your name John J Zmudzinski
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? I stayed very close to my Company Commander Capt. Louis Durnovich [?Sormer?] All American football player from California who was killed later that day. He was a very brave man. I ran several errands for him and after one when I returned he was gone and his body was found the next day. [inserted] Conversations? D's deeds? Amplify [end inserted]
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? X
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time ? One thing in particular that I remember is a certain Sergeant in my Company who was more worried about getting food rations off on disabled LCT. Than he was about his personal safety. I think it was because he felt that he had to be doing something.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? I didn't recall any one incident that I remember, but I do remember that the medics had the roughest job because they had to try to patch up the wounded instead of looking after their own safety. I do remember seeing one man whose arm was blown off cleanly at the elbow, and, I suppose because of shock, it wasn't even bleeding.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name John J Zmudzinski
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 remember one man who calmly took apart his rifle and was cleaning it because it was full of sand and water while other supposedly tough Sergeants dug deep fox holes and dissapeared for 3 days. The beach was the hottest for 3 days after that it began to get more tolerable.
Where were you at midnight June 5, 1944? On an L.C.T. Landing Craft somewhere in the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? I dug a shallow fox hole on the beach and tried to rest but it was out of the question to sleep.
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? If you would interview me at my home, I would be available most any time. I am presently on vacation which will end on the 27th of July. Hoping to hear from you again,
Sincerely John J Zmudzinski
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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July 1, 1958
Mr. John J. Zmudzinski 54231 Quince Road South Bend 28, Indiana
Dear Mr. Zmudzinski
jThank you very much for your letter and for your willingness to help us with Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I hope you will forgive the delay in replying to your kind offer of assistance; we are gratified, but somewhat overwhelmed, by the wonderful response which we are getting as a result of our requests for information.
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 so many people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope 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. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need the personal accounts of the men who were there. We particularly look forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure