World War II D-Day Accounts from the Cornelius Ryan Collection

Woodburn Iowa June 4, 1958 Miss Frances Ward Readers Digest 230 Park Ave New York N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward

In regard to your article in the June 1958 issue of the American Legion Magazine I participated in the Invasion of the Normandy Beachead I was in Fox Co 116th Inf 29th Division We were in the the first wave and landed on Dog Red on Omaha Beach If you wish further information please contact Wilbert L Smith Woodburn Iowa R.R. #1

July, 3, 1058

Mr. Wilbert L. Smith R.R.#1 Woodburn, Iowa

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank 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

EATON, Ralph P. 82/ Glider INf NY53 Box 7, #55

HQ 82 [indecipherable] Dead File Was on glider Nothing

West Point NY G-1 NY 53 For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR , PARTICIPAT INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6 , 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. (severely hurt in glider landing)

What is your full name? Ralph P Eaton What was your unit and division ? HQ 82 A/B

Where did you arrive in Normandy , and at what time ? @ 1 30 AM 4 June

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Colonel What was your age on June 6 , 1944? 46 Were you married at that time ? yes What is your wife's name? Eloise C Eaton Did you have any children at that time? yes - 4 What do you do now ? retired

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion ? Dec 1943

Do you remember , What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel ? for example , any conversations you had or how you passed the time ? The members of the glider in which I was a passenger were very much interested in the formation of the Parachute planes returning to England If they were scattered we knew we were probably in for trouble . They were

Wnat 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 olanned to set it afire when the troops came in ). See above - no time for rumors

- for Cornelius Ryan 2Your name 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? no one in my glider except copilot

Were you wounded? I have never been certain whether I was hit by MG prior to injuty in crash of glider

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? same as a knockout

Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? yes- see last page- then perhaps you will want to check off my name from your list

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? yes- see abavove

- 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? I have hesitated answering this questionairre for my participation in Normandy was very limited I was evacuated to England the evening of 7 June I did not join my organization as I landed in th e101st Div Zone and was rather severely hurt in landing when my tow plane was shot down and glider made "shall we say' a forced landing I think you may find it very difficult for a veteran of more than one battle to say anything that might indicate herosim on Where were you at midnight June 5, 1944? enroute to Normandy by glider Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In a stable on a French farm

Do you know of anybody else who landed within those 24 hours (midnight Juno 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?

his part I dont believe this same person will give you any 'bloody' details He will readily tell about humorous things In you interviewing I would be hesitant to take too much faith in the stories told by men who had no actual combat or were under fire one or two times I wish you the best of luck and will be interested in reading your story Gen. M.B. Ridgan should be queried Mr Whitfield Jack ARDis Bldg Shreveport La (02) Maj Gen R.W. Weinecke Ft. Benning GA (03) Mr Bennie A Zinn Tex AM College College Sta Tex (G4-wounded)

PLEDGE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CANINCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOH. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOURSTORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IP WE HAVE HOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM, FULLACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN Hi A CHAPTER CALLED uWHERE THEY ARE NOW} YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader * 8 Vi^st

June 5, 1958

Brig. Gen. R. P. Eaton c/o Sect'y, Assn. Graduates West Point, New York

Dear General Eaton:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you'll be interested in the project and will be willing to help us.

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 literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to keep an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, 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 during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Enclosure

[inserted] Columbus 90th Div 35th Regt. 1st Bn [end inserted]

HUGGINS, Spencer J. Ga.7

[inserted] Dead File

Box 7, #30 [end inserted]

[inserted] V - E

p. 2 - op [?French curtains?]

not much [illegible]

[illegible]

GA 7 LL [end inserted]

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? SPENCER J. HUGGINS 2901 Rice Street, Columbus, Ga.

What was your unit and division? Headquarters Company, First Bn., 359th Ing. Reg., 90th Infantry Division

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach Approximately 10:00 A. M. 6 June, 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Private First Class

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 33 years

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Florence

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Am a Master Sgt. assigned to the Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Ga.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Approximately ten days prior to invasion.

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 the crossing aboard the L. C. I. was a little rough. Time was passed mostly playing poker, sleeping, checking gear or just asking one another - "wonder what it's going to be like when we meet the enemy face to face?" and secretely asking ourselves - "will I make it back to the good old U. S. A.?"

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you amde 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).

None that I can recall.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Spencer J. Huggins

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? No

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? No

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simple memorable, which struck you more than anything else? As we were moving inland that afternoon, I remember seeing an old old man with two small girls by the hand; where they came from we, of course, didn't know... and we just went plodding on our way while they stood and stared at us.