Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 016, folder 04: Ilvo Picchiarini

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Ilvo Picchiarini PA 25 LL 605 Graham St Belle Vernon, Penna

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? Ilvo Picchiarini

What was your unit and division? U.S. Naval Reserve- USS L.S.T. 374 Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Arrived off French Coast (Omaha Beach) Tuesday morning June 6, 1944 at approximately 1:30 A.M.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Motor Machinist Mate 1st class What was your age on June 6, 1944? 34 years old Were you married at that time? no What is your wife's name ? (married in 1948) Did you have any children at that time ?

What do you do how? Work in a Steel Mill Pittsburgh Steel Co.- Monessen Pa.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Actually knew June 4, 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? Few people know that the "invasion" was postponed 24 hrs. due to bad weather. The trip across the channel (English) was pretty rough. In a situation like htis everyone seemed so friendly etc. Talked with a soldier (1st Inf. Div.) and he told me he shook all over, when he thought of going into the beach on a Rhino Ferry we were towing. ( I have picture of these Rhino Ferries)

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) Heard scuttlebut abour Germans pouring gasoline on the water etc.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Ilvo Picchiarini

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? Kept diary of what I saw. Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day ? no Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties ?

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 ?

Do you remember seeing- or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time ?

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else^? One sad thing I saw which I'll never forget was a sailor (dead) floating out to sea still with his life jacket on; and no one making any effort to rescue the body. I mentioned to some of my shipmates-"Just think that's somebody's son out there, and his family worrying about him + they will probably never know how he died or if his body ever will be recovered"!

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Ilvo Picchiarini

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?

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Standing by- outside the harbor Portland (England) awaiting orders to get underway for the Invasion of France Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Still underway crossing the channel + nearing the French coast.

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 who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? I know two or three soldiers who live here in the same town + who took part in the invasion. They could be easily contacted here.

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

Belle Vernon Pa June 1, 1958 Dear Miss Ward: I'm writing in reference to an article I read in this month's issue of "The American Legion Magazine" requesting information from veterans who participated in the invasion of France June 6, 1944. I wont go into detail; but briefly I'll say that I was in the U.S. Navy ( a sailor) at the time on an LST. Our ship was in the "first wave" We took soldiers equipment etc of the First Infantry Division into the beach on D-Day H-hour.