Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 013, folder 37: James W. Haley

5th Regt. HALEY, Col James W. 4th Div Wash DC 7

Box 13, #37

[*LL WASH DC 7*]

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? Colonel James W. Haley

What was your unit and division? Co. G. 2nd Bn. 8th Inf. Regt.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach at 0635 on 6 June

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 27

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Grace E. (Betty) Haley

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Regular Army Officer

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? January or February 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? [*May we have it*] Everyone was exceedingly busy with last minute operations. I recall conversa- tions with many people including Brig Gen Teddy Roosevelt, Jr., but I do not recall anything specific. I passed the time with last minute preparations, wrote a letter to my wife and spent a short time on deck just thinking. I recall no particular feeling of fear or anxiety. I remember specifically the brilliance of the flares, bursting anti-aircraft shells and searchlights after the airborne assault began. I also recall that the waters of the channel were quite rough.

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 recall no rumors being passed aboard ship. We were thoroughly familiar with the German defenses and expected a difficult time. I do not recall any scuttle-but that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when we landed.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Colonel James W. Haley

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, many were wounded and several were killed.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No. Once ashore there was little time for conversations.

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 hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? No

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?

A. I remember passing a soldier, whose name I do not recall, sitting by the roadside calmly smoking a cigarette. His foot had been blown off by a mine and as I stopped to speak to him he apologized for not being able to go farther with the company.

B. I remember seeing the members of one of my mortar squads immediately after one of them had stepped on a mine. All had been killed or severely wounded.

C. I recall a German prisoner with his stomach shot away by a hurst of machine- gun fire. He was stoically holding his intestines in with his hands.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Colonel James W. Haley

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? I remember that for a brief few minutes many members of my Company and the Company on my right were bunched up behind the sea-wall. It didn’t take much to get them moving, however.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard the attack transport.

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Dug in with my Company in an orchard alongside a paved road in the vicinity of a village about 6 miles inland from the beach.

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 took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? [*we've written*] A. Col. George L. Mabry, Jr., ODCSOPS, Department of the Army, Pentagon B. Gen. James A. Van Fleet (ret.) now living in Florida [*LL*] C. Lt Col. Leonard T. Schroeder Office of the Inspector General Department of the Army, Pentagon

[*)interviewed*] D. Col. Joel Thomason ODCSOPS, Department of the Army Pentagon

[*)have written*] E. Col. Carlton O. McNeely (ret.) Columbus, Georgia

F. Sgt. Charles Walker, U.S.A. Address Unknown [*LL*]

Though my memory is somewhat hazy after all these years, I should welcome the opportunity to talk with Mr Ryan. Some of the things that occurred, I remember clearly. Others could perhaps be clarified by talking to Col Mabry, Col Thomason, Lt Col Schroeder and myself, all here in the Pentagon, simultaneously. I will be available for interview but it is difficult to establish a date at this time. I trust that I have been, or can be, of service

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 [*5/9/58*] Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

Last Name - First Name - Middle Initial Serial Number Grade Organization HALEY JAMES W 024244 Capt 8th Inf [illegible] Order Order Number Date of Orders Rescinded Revoked Amended Corrected General Special Copy 1st USA APO 230 102 28 Dec 44 [illegible] of Award Posthumous Oak Leaf Clusters O. L. C. Number DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE NO CROSS [illegible] Status if Living

Citation

For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 6 June 1944 in ***. On D-Day, Captain Haley braved withering enemy artillery, machine gun and rifle fire to reach a large group of confused and disorganized troops who congregated be- hind a sea wall. He calmly organized them while shells were falling in the immed- iate area and [crossed out][illegible][end crossed out] successfully led them across the beach. As leading elements of his own company moved forward, they encountered a mine field which caused heavy casualties. When the balance of his men froze into position and hesitated to go forward, Captain Haley, with complete disregard for his own life, courageously cleared a path and personally led his men through the obstacle. Continuing its advance, the company was pinned down by a hail of machine gun and small arms fire from a stubbron enemy group in a strongly fortified position. Displaying great personal audactiy and conspicuous leadership, he once again defied instense fire and, after preparing his company for an assault, he personally led it in a vicious hand-to-hand and bayonet fight, overpowering the resistance and continuing on to reach his objective.

NOTED, REGISTER UNIT 201 - FILE Initials CHN Date [illegible] January 45

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE DECORATIONS AND AWARDS BRANCH, WASHINGTON, D. C. [?RECOGNITION?] OF DECORATION

[illegible] FILE IN EN