ENPages
Page 2
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? George T Doyle What was your unit and division? COA 359 INF REGT 90 DIV Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach H + 6 What was your rank on June 6, 1944? PFC What was your age on June 6, 1944? 19 yr, 20 days Were you married at that time? No What is your wife' s name? Did you have any children at that time? What do you do now? Stone Man (printing) When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? May 1944 we were told 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? Trip was short but we spent about a week on the L.C.I. reading, 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).
Page 3
- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name - George T Doyle
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 Were you wounded? not that day 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? I remember each time I was hit but I think the first was a shock to think it could happen. This was on July 5, 1944 Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes. I was the 2nd one to step off the L.C.V.P. I was 5' 6" The first man was over 6 ft. He steped off and went under the surprise was funny as it gave us a laugh when it was needed. Also I waded toward 2 men then found that they were standing on a jeep. Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes to see gas mask kits in the water and know most of those men were hit. Also to see jeeps and trucks burning
Page 4
- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name GEORGE T. DOYLE
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 ? YES HOW DEAD GERMANS WERE ACCEPTED BUT DEAD AMERICANS WERE NOT. AS IF WE WOULD ALL MAKE IT.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? ON THE L.C.I. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? IN FRANCE MOVING NORTH TO CHERBOURG 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? ANDREW C. NUTT FORDYCE ARK.
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.
SORRY TO BE LATE BUT I WAS ON VACATION WHEN THIS FORM WAS RECEIVED.
Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
Page 5
MR. GEORGE T DOYLE 6024 DEERING AVENUE PARMA HEIGHTS 30, OHIO #2
Dear Miss Ward, In answer to your request for men who landed on D-DAY 1944 I am sending my name and outfit information. George T Doyle COA 359 INF 90 DIV P.S. WE DID NOT LAND AS A DIV. BUT A PART OF THE 359 LANDED IN WITH THE 4th DIV. I WENT ON TO GERMANY FEB. 1945 George T Doyle