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SMITH, Gordon Kenneth, Lt. Col Ga 25 82 AB BOX 8, #43
507
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AB-I Lt Benning GEORGIA (Chief, Abn. Tng. Jp. Am-Air Mobility Dept) FT. BENNING (COLUMBUS) GA25 Interview Reached him thru Ekman, 82nd Has 3 others fr 507th at Benning. Will talk this prepared w understanding that interview would follow
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OF MSN, 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? GORDON KENNETH SMITH, Lt Colonel, Infantry, 0-32959
What was your unit and division? Hq Co, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? North of Merderet River, approximately 12 miles from Amfreville DZ at about 0315 hours, 6 June 1944. Sketch will be available
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Major, Regimental Supply Officer.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28.
Were you married at that time?
What is your wife's name? Martha Le Bleu Smith Did you have any children at that time? Yes; one (l) daughter, 3 years old.
What do you do now? Presently am the Chief, Airborne Training Group Airborne-Air Mobility Department United States Army Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About 30 April 1944.
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? Very quiet. Thinking of the past. What it would be like and responsibilities of being Jumpmaster of the plane; also observing the other planes and particularly noticing passing between Jersey and Gernsey Islands.- Last paratroop plane into Normandy
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). None.
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y - for Cornelius Ryan 2 - GORDON K.SMITH Your name Lt Colonel, Infantry
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Not until later but recall, vividly, all experiences.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes, but not to my knowledge as I was with a small group.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No.
Were you wounded? Yes.
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? Surprised and felt nothing except the peace and quiet of laying there.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, though it may not have seemed funny at the time? even Many things — e.g., a Frenchman chopping wood not over 100 yards from where I lay. Earlier, being unable to get out of parachute harness and having to cut my way out with assistance from Sgt Walters and cutting myself with the sharp knife which I held upside down. Several other experiences later that day, too long to mention here.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, the sergeant who attempted to get transport and brought the German's column to a halt, which resulted in my being hit and, eventually, captured.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - GORDON K. SMITH Your name Lt Colonel, Infantry
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 ? Only from others — none that I witnessed.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? At departure airfield in England.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Being placed in a German Army ambulance for evacuation to their rear.
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, there are many whom I know. However, I would be able to give Mr. Ryan much more information when he comes to Fort Benning, Georgia.
There are presently four (4) of us three (3) Lt Colonels and one (1) Master Sergeant from the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the Airborne Department. 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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For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OF MSN, 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? GORDON KENNETH SMITH, Lt Colonel, Infantry, 0-32959
What was your unit and division? Hq Co, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? North of Merderet River, approximately 12 miles from Amfreville DZ at about 0315 hours, 6 June 1944. Sketch will be available
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Major, Regimental Supply Officer.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 28.
Were you married at that time?
What is your wife's name? Martha Le Bleu Smith Did you have any children at that time? Yes; one (l) daughter, 3 years old.
What do you do now? Presently am the Chief, Airborne Training Group Airborne-Air Mobility Department United States Army Infantry School Fort Benning, Georgia
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About 30 April 1944.
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? Very quiet. Thinking of the past. What it would be like and responsibilities of being Jumpmaster of the plane; also observing the other planes and particularly noticing passing between Jersey and Gernsey Islands.- Last paratroop plane into Normandy
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). None.