Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 016, folder 03: Cornelius Einer Peterson

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Lt. Howard, Maryland MO 11 LL *Delivered troops to both Omaha + Utah 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 ? Cornelius Einer Peterson What was your unit and division?

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Master "S.S. Florence Crittendon" transporting troops and equipment

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 47 years Were you married at that time? yes What is your wife's name? Clara A Did you have any children at that time? yes What do you do now? Convalesant

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? about Apr. 1. 1944 when my ship was fitted out for that operation at Cardiff, Wales.

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? Routine. having had pervious experiences in the Mediterranian operations from Casa Blanca to Mins El Kiberr, Oran, Bigerte, Augusta, Naples, Anzio, and Bari. As you will note above, I was not in any of the service units that went ashore. I was in a position to observe a great deal more than the average service man. as I made seven (7) trips from SouthHampton England, to the

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). Normandy Beachhead, landing troops + equipment, at both the Omaha and Utah beaches. I still have the channel crossing chart with all anchorage and various other notes on it.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Were you wounded? Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or wore you so surprised that you felt nothing? Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, cf course, seem amusing at the time ? Dc you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?

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