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Bad Tolz, Germany For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day
22 May 58 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? Francis Walwin Dawson
What was your unit and division? Company "D", 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach (Dog Green) Approx- 0715 - 6 June 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st LT.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 25
Were you married at that time? YES Divorced in 1945
What is your wife's name?
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? Team Leader, 10th Special Forces Group Airborne
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? April ’44
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?
I remember the crossing was very calm, that is no one was sea sick until we departed the troop ship. The 5th Bn was on a fast British Ship, due to the size of the Bn. we all had ample space to move about. We boarded ship about noon 4 June, We passed the time by numerous briefings and giving each platoon time for exercise above deck. The food served was excellent and plenty for both Officers and EM. The night of the 5th was a busy one, all weapons were checked, crew served weapons and demolition equipment were lashed to the assualt boat and the men reconnoited the way to their assualt boat. The nights of 4 & 5 June I was quartered in a small state room with Lt Summers ( A civilian in Atlanta Ga.) who was the weapons platoon leaderm, The two of us studied our maps and peiced them to-gather and entered the targets by number on them so we could call for fire if needed. The room was under a gun turret so [crossed out] so [end crossed out] what little sleep was between the movement around the gun.
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 whan the troops came in). Only rumor I can remember was that if ue did not make the landing 6 June we would have to return to England.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Dawson, Francis W
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No.,But I do have the maps that were issured prior to the invasion that have our route marked*
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 special conversations can I remember. In the assualt boat we were too busy trying to bail out the water which was coming over the sides and front. Behind the sea wall organizing the units was the problem., and any special conversation would be difficult to remember.
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? N/A
Do you remember seeing* or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Nothing I can recall
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? No
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Dawson, Francis W
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? No
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Some where on the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? A few Hedge-rows beyond the town of VIERVILLE in a shallow fox hole, not asleep.
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? No. At my home in S.C. I have a roster of the Men who were in our Company and thier addresses but am unable at this time to give the information.
I am very willing to talk to Mr. Ryan if he so desires. I will be available during the month of June, Will be in the field all July and part of August, after that I will be bach here at Bad Tolz.
Francis W Dawson, Major Infantry
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 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 5/9/58 Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
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DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH Initials rlr MILITARY PERSONNEL DIVISION, Date 22/8/44 RECORD OF AWARD OF DECORATION BY AGENCY OTHER THAN WAR DEPARTMENT
Last Name First Name Middle Initial Serial No. Grade DAWSON FRANCIS W. 0400036 1st Lt.
Oganization Foreign Others Infantry
Headquarters Station or APO GO No. Section Date 1st United States Army 230 28 I 20 June 1944
Type of Award Posthumous DO NOT WRITE IN COLUMN BELOW D.S.C. No
Oak Leaf Clusters Number Posthumous
By Command of Amended Revoked ARMY COMMANDER:
CITATION
For extraordinary heroism in action on 6 June 1944m at ***** France. Lieutenant Dawson led his Ranger platoon ashore in the invasion of France against heavy enemy artillery, machine gun, and small arms fire. He then personally took charge of the breaching of wire [illegible] When a gap was created, he led his platoon through it and directed them in scaling a 100-foot cliff. Upon reaching the top of the cliff, he, accompanied by one soldier, rushed forward with a submachine gun and destroyed a German pill box, killing or capturing the enemy located therein. Lt Dawson's heroic action and aggressive leadership [illegible] are in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.
Entered military service from South Carolina.