Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 010, folder 44: Burton Eugene Ranney

5th Rangers RANNEY, Burton Eugene 111 24 Box 10,# 44 Co. F--5th Rangers OMAHA DOG GREEN US Rangers; Embarkation Stations

ON DEBARKING We attended services before we embarked in our landing craft 10 miles out. Our moral and spirit was high for a bunch of kids. On board the Prince Baudouin 10 miles out from the Coast of France, the ever-memorable call over the speakers, "UNITED STATES RANGERS, EMBARKATION STATIONS," was the signal to climb down into our land- ing craft and head for Omaha Beach. That was my most memorable moment because we were ready to go, and I don*t think anyone would have backed out if he*d had a chance to.

ON THE BEACH I remember the first shell burst near me after I landed. There were quite a few shell bursts in the water as we were coming in but they had no frightening effect on me; in fact, it was s fun to watch them and the machine gun shells churning up the water. I was lying behind a dirk bank about 2 1/2' high and a shell landed on top of the bank within several feet of me. The bank sheltered me from shrapnel and concussion but threw dirt all over me and the smell of powder was very heavy. I lay there with a million things going through my mind in a matter of secondx. That is when I really realized dthat I was in combat and everything was for real. From then on, the shell bursts and small arms fire became a matter of routine and after each if you could still move, fine.

WOUNDED A German 88 shell exploded and caught 3 of us. A small piece of shrapnel hit the point of my left shoulder from behind and dropped down inside my fatigue jacket and lay against my bare stomach. When I got hit, I was trying to dig a litle by throwing these 3" and 4" rocks out. I was so scared that I turned around about 3 times before I realized what had happened.

Decatur, Ill. ILL-24 For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day GREEN

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? Burton Eugene Ranney

What was your unit and division? Fifth Ranger Battalion, Co. F

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? We landed at H-hour of D-Day, June 6, 1944 on Omaha Dog Green Beach, France What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Staff Sgt. What was youri age on June 6, 1944? 19 years old Were you married at that time? No What is your wife's name? Phyllis Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Electrician in IBEW Local #146, Decatur, Illinois

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion ? We had a pretty good idea from the time the unit was formed. I think we all looked forward to being part of it. No one wanted to be transferred out for any reason. 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 trip was very rough! I was very fortunate that I was never sea sick at any time. We never slept that night. We didn't have too much room and I believe we were holed up in the eating area. Some fellows played cards, some sang, and played guitars; others just sat and talked. We cleaned weapons more that night than ever before.

One man from E Company was cleaning a BAR rifle and it went off wounding 3 men playing cards at another table.

We attended services before we embarked in our landing craft ten miles out.

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). I can’t remember anything in the way of rumors. We were kept pretty well informed of information available about D-Day and the enemy. We were told it was no picnic and that no one would be able to go back for at least 3 days. Everything would be going in and would keep going in to make room for more to come. We were briefed very completely up to the last, from air photos, on obstacles, pillboxes and enemy troops. Our moral was very high!

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -- Your name Burton E, Ranney Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No diary on paper, just mental. Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes , some killed, some wounded . With only 65 men and 3 officers per company we were very close to each other and still are today. Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? At that time we had no time for conversation.

Were you wounded? Yes, I was wounded first crack out of the box. 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? A German 88 shell exploded and caught 3 of us. A small piece of shrapnel hit the point of my left shoulder from behind and dropped down inside my fatigue jacket and lay against my bare stomach. When I got hit I was trying to dig a little by throwing these 3 & 4" rocks out. I was so scared that I turned around about 3 times before I realized what had happened.* Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? I remember the first shell burst near me after I landed. There were quite a few shell bursts in the water as we were coming in but they had no frighteneing effect on me; in fact, it was fun to watch them and the machine gun shells churning up the water. I was lying behind a dirt bank about 2 1/2' high and a shell landed on top of the bank within several feet of me. The bank sheltered me from shrapnel and concusion but threw dirt all over me and the smell of powder was very heavy. I laid there with a million things going through my mind in a matter of seconds. That is when I really realized that I was in combat and everything was for real. From then on, the shell bursts and small arms fire be- came a matter of routine and after each if you could still move, fine; you wouldmove on. My shoulder hurt and I was afraid to look at it. I also had to bend over to keep hot pieces of shrapnel from burning my stomach. Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Our moral and spirit was high for a bunch of kids, which carried us through with much more efficiency. On board the Prince Baudouin ten miles from the Coast of France, the ever memorable call over the speakers, "United States Rangers, Embarkation Stations" was the signal to climb down into our landing craft and head for Omaha Beach. That was my most memorable moment because actually at that time we were ready to go and I don ’t think anyone would have backed out if he had had a chance to! Heroic? Everything done was heroic for that is the only way the largest land, sea and air invasion in history could have been accomplished.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Burton E. Ranney 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?

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on board the Prince Baudouin crossing the channel. Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? I was in a half completed pillbox just off the beach.

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? Richard P. Sullivan, Col. 15 Wilcox Road Dorchester 24, Mass. John J. Reville, Capt. 12-10 166th St. Buck Hurst, New York Joe Cioffi R. D. 1 Box 213B Belmar, New Jersey Harry Vogler 2614 Emerald Dr. Kalamazoo, Michigan Emil Nelson, Jr. R. S. Box 1011 Cedar Lake, Indiana John C. Hodgson 3904 Adams Drive Silver Spring, Maryland

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 ARE THEY NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

July 22,1958

Mr. Burton E. Ranney 1009 N. Oakland Avenue Decatur, Illinois

Dear Mr. Ranney:

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 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, 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 pro- ject 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 contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with liter- ally 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 be- lieve 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