Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 010, folder 39: Emil Nelson, Jr.

NELSON, Emil, Jr. 5th Ranger Ind 16 Box 10, #39

Co. F 5th Rangers

Prince Beudouin

On beach 1 "We were pinned down by all kinds of fire & an old General named Cota was walking up & down through all kinds of fire trying to indulge men to move up."

2. "Our chaplain, a little Catholic priest about 5' tall and rolly poly, pulled some special service man out of the channel twice his size & weight -- and gave him his last rites before he died."

Afternoon After being pinned down for quite a while we made an attack on Vierville sur Marie (?). Everything was confused and hectic. We had taken our objective with no wounded or killed. On the way back (we withdrew -- we didn't have strength to hold), a hand grabbed me and pulled me into the bush. It was an American who was terribly burned from phosphorus. He had a packet of letters and begged me to mail them back to his wife. They were destroyed to the point where you couldn't read them -- and the boy died with that wish. I'll never forget that moment."

Cedar Lake, Indiana

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day if THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPTED 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? Emil Nelson Jr.

What was your unit and division? Co. F. 5th Ranger Bn

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach at app 6:30 AM June 6th

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? S/Sgt

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 21 years old

Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? None

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Asst. service manager in a Chryler Dealership

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? We assumed it while training in Fla.

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? In our case we were preparing explosives on the fan tail of an English manned ship. it seemed we were in a terrific state of suspense. And we all signed each other's french occupation notes - and slept as such

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). We heard the Germans had over 200 subs in the Channel and many E boats. So we were told to sleep dressed and ready to check out fast.

- f or C o r n e l i u s R y a n 2 - Your name Emil Nelson Jr.

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 laanding or during the day? Many

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties. No

Were you wounded? No -Later on--

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? Mostly surprise then pain & fear

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, though it may not have seemed funny at the tiime? Yes - We had trained for months to hit the beach & run like mad for cover - And when we landed we were loaded down with much more weight and when I got out of the L.C.A. I had all I could do After I was wet, to crawl out of the water. then we cut all the equipment off. I guess the idea was to get as much stuff on the beach Right away.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes - After being pinned down for quite awhile we made an attack on (Vereville Ste Marie). [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] Every thing was confused & hectic, we had taken our objective with no wounded or killed -- On the way back (we withdrew as we didn't have strength to hold) a hand grabbed me And pulled me in to the bush. it was an American who was terribly burned from Phosphorus. He had a packet of letters and begged me to mail them to his wife. they were destroyed to the point where you couldn't read them. And the boy died with that wish. I'll never

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Emil Nelson Jr.

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? After landing we were pinned down and an old General named ?"Cota"? was walking along then all kinds of fire trying to induce men to move up - which in our case being (green) helped.

Our Chaplain, a little Catholic priest about 5' tall and rolly polly - pulled some special service man out of the Channel twice his size & weight and gave him his last Rites before he died.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On the "Prince Bouduin" our "mother" ship

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? We were in an open field outside of (Verevilla Ste Mere) wide awake

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?

RANGERS Garrett Bennett - Williamburg Ken John Hodgson - 3904 Adams Dr - Silver Spings Md Lt. Chis Jeffers - 432 Dele Ave. Albany NY Chuck Klein 19 Webster St. Malverne, N.Y Walter Modjeski 11059 Ave. L. Chic. ILL A. Muscatello 308-11 St Winber, PA Roy Nard 1024 Ford St. Youngtown Ohio B. Ranny 1009 W. Oakland Decatur ILL Lt. J. Reville 1210 166th St Beechurst, WY E. Snyder 408 Pearce Rd Pitt. 34. PA Harry Vogler 2614 Emerald Dr. Kalamazoo Mich Mr. Stockhouse Hollywood Park Cedar Lake, Ind (Paratrooper)

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.

Might I suggest for your cover jacket the unit insignia of the American sector such as the 29th div - 1st div. Rangers airborne units and etc. Thank You.

Cornelius Ryan

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

July 22, 1958

Mr. Emil Nelson Rural Station, Box 76 Cedar Lake, Indiana

Dear Mr. Nelson:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniver- sary 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 De- partment of the Amy 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 than and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, in- vade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree 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 con- tribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you dur- ing that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop 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