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WASHINGTON U NEG ROUNTREE, Robert E. USS Bayfield Va 9
Box 16, #11
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N-N Washington, D.C. LL VA9
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? Robert E. Rountree What was your unit and division? U.S.S. Bayfield (APA-33)
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? The Bayfield carried the first wave (first troops to land) at Utah Beach
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieutenant U.S. Coast Guard What was your age on June 6, 1944? 37 Were you married at that time? yes What is your wife's name? Marie S. Rountree Did you have any children at that time? yes : 3 What do you do now? Commander , U.S. Coast Guard When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? upon receipt of the "plan of the day" for 4 June 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? I was an engine room watch officer, the crossing was routine. By that time "battle stations" had become quite routine for all hands.
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). strong opposition was expected
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name R.E. Rountree
Did you by 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? 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 bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time ? yes (later) Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? yes the report of a glider pilot who came back through my ship. the strict observance to "shoot any plane in range" the sinking of a crowded LST. the facial expressions of wounded enemy P.O.W.s the photographer's 35mm camera
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name R.E. Rountree
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? yes the "never quit" attitude of the landing craft coxswains
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? just coming off watch (I think)
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? on watch in the engine room
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? none who actually landed. Vice-Admiral Lyndon Spencer USCG (Ret.) c/o Lake Carriers Association 305 Rockefeller Blde Cleveland 12, Ohio (Adm. Spencer was commanding officer of the Bayfield) Rear-Admiral Gordon A. Littlefield USCG (Ret.) Duxbury, Mass. (Adm. Littlefield was executive officer on the Bayfield)
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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