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IND-17 Brook, Indiana
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
BLACK
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 ? George Daniel Kindig
What was your unit and division? Eight Infantry Fourth Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? I arrived at Utah Beach about 6 o'clock A.M. June 6, 1944.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Private First Class
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30 yrs.
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? none
Did you have any children at that time? none
What do you do now? Disabled
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? It was a short time before the invasion.
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 strickly business and in order. There was very little or no talking that I can remember. We had the best of food and care that we could possibly have.
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). There were no rumors that I know of. There were rumors after we hit shore.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name George Daniel Kindig
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 Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? no more than orders
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? I had plenty of pain. It was hot and burning feeling at this time pain was a very small thought.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? There was ^one soldier while in heavy artillery fire would jump from his fox hole and scream and fire his rifle in all directions while in a spin.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The sadest and memorable which struck me more than anything else, was when at one time we had to withdraw to reorganize and then fight back over hundreds of our own dead.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name George Daniel Kindig
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? There was very little cover when we first landed and sniper fire was heavy on individual soldiers. We had no more than hit the ground and we were a dead target. I saw what was happening , realizing I could be no help to those hit, took for better cover.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Somewhere on the English Channel Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Somewhere in France.
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? no
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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July 7, 1958
Mrs. George Klndig Brock Indiana
Dear Mr. Kinding:
Thank you so very much for your recent letter and for your interest in Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I have just sent a note to your husband requesting his cooperation and assistance.
It was very kind of you to take the trouble to let us know of your husband's whereabouts. We are very grateful for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward FW:LL Research Department