Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 018, folder 22: Prentiss McLeod Kinney

KINNEY, Prentiss McLeod SC 5 37th Eng Combat Bn

Box 18, #22

37th Engr. Combat Bn. 391st Med. Collecting Co.

Omaha 10 a m

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? Prentiss McLeod Kinney

What was your unit and division?391st Medical Collecting Company attached to 37th Engineering Combat Battalion for invasion and landed with 16th Reg (let) (1st Div)

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

Approximately 1000 6 June 1944 (For approximately 2 hours before getting on beach we were in a L.C.I. Several approaches to beach were made and when near beach artillery barrage was so terrific commander of vessel would ’’back-up". Finally after viewing intense activity on beach and observing medics busily engaged in treating casualties, I told commander of our vessel one direct hit on our vessel would probably kill all and it would be better to take our chances and land and [???] we would take care of the Casualties and also we would be dispursed.)

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? CAPTAIN

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 44

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife’s name? Adelaide S. Kinney

Did you have any children at that time? None

What do you do now? General Practitioner

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Approximately February 1914 (We participated in two dress rehearsals preparing for 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? After docking in Waymouth Harbor for several days, about 1700 or 1800 5 June 44 we sailed. Practically everyone tense, nervous and restless. Some walking around alone. Most were gathered in small groups. My group talked of our plans after getting on beach,(However, none of our pre-arranged plans worked out. About 0200 on 6 June 44 we put on our packs and supplies we carried with us.

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). Do not recall any

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name P.M. Kinney

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? About 6 in our Company were K.I.A.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? We were too busy to converse. I vividly recall while giving plasma on the beach my assistant was opposite giving plasma to a casualty. We ducked momentarily from an artillary barrage - when I looked up my assistant was not there. Was listed as K.I.A.

Were you wounded? Superfical on hand.

Do you remember what it was like—that is, do you remember whether you it, felt any pain or were you so surprised that you felt nothing?

Did not recall when injury occurred. First known to me when I saw blood.

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

In trying to protect ourselves from Artillery barrage one in my Company and myself ducked into a small and shallow depression in the rocks at same time.

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

Beach ended in narrow elevated strip of rocks. Behind this strip was a heavy laden mine field. Casualties were collected in small groups of 6, 8 and 10 and placed on beach for removing to Hospital ships in channel. Small crafts very seldom got to beach for evacuation. During the afternoon time came in with marked speed and a number cf casualties were drowned before we could move them to the narrow rock strip.

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Your name p, M. Kinney, M.D,

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? None

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Several miles from Normandy Coast

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Artillery emplacement on Omaha 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 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

PRENTISS M. KINNEY, M. D. BENNETTSVILLE, S. C.

29 May 58

Miss Frances Ward Reader’s Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward:

I read with interest in the June American Legion Magazine a request for information relative to firsthand account of Normandy Invasion on 6 June 44.

The 391st Medical Collecting Company of which I was Captain was largely composed of men from West Virginia and Ohio. We were attached to 37th Engineer Canbat Battalion for the invasion. We landed with the 16th Regiment (1st Div) on Omaha Beach in the early phase of the invasion.

The 391st Medical Collecting Company is the one referred to by Bud Hutton in 12 June 44 issue of Stars and Stripes. These men were also a major part of the medics referred to by Ernie Pyle in 12 June 44 issue of Stars and Stripes.

The 37th Engineer Combat Battalion received Battle Honors as issued by Headquarters First United States Army on 27 Sept 44 for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty on 6 June 44.

Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was awarded to 391st Medical Collecting Company for superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks, and for achievement and maintenance of a high standard of discipline, during the period from 6 June 44 to 1 Sept 44. Ihis was from Headquarters Communications Zone European Iheater of operations issued 19 Apr 45.

If you desire any information from me, request in specific questions and I will supply same to the best of my recollections.

Very truly yours,

P.M. Kinney, M. D.

pmk/ak