Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 018, folder 37: Charles Muller, Jr.

Newark, N.J. LL NJ 15 For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day *can help us reach others of his Bn

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? Charles Muller Jr.

What was your unit and division? 237 Engr. Combat Battalion Co. C.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? sometime in the afternoon of June 7th

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Technician Grade 5 What was your age on June 6, 1944? 30 years old Were you married at that time? no What is your wife’s name? Elizabeth Marie Muller

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? Grocery Clerk- A + P Tea Co. (Relief Manager Work)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? rumors began in Feb -1944 We had suspected well ahead as we were trained in beach landings and clearing mines and underwater obstacles - all our training led us to realize we were ready for 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? exciting full of the unknowing- of what was ahead of us - our first taste of real enemy wondering could we keep rendezvous point with rest of outfit. Bill Gordon, myself and Dick Ernst [we have him? (no?)] were to land together with the truck we had all were to meet up with our outfit- we woundered could we- we did.

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) The channel was mined was one rumor- We'd never make it they said- We had a mine scareTells of it later in this questionaire

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name Charles Muller Jr

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

Do you remember any conversations yon had with them before they became casualties? None necessarily- we wondered about what was ahead. - all we knew was that for us- This was it.-

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? while crossing channel we hit a buoy and the loud noise against the side of ship caused many to think it was a mine for split second there was a dead stillness- then the realization of what had really happened and peace momentarily cameupon getting to beach to land we had difficulty - pulled away from spot with shells falling- just was we pulled away a big one landed right where we had beenwe landed further up the beach-

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The training of our Co. by Capt. Al Birra Our company commander had always made every man realize that he was not alone- All the others lives depended on you doing your job right- He made certain we were well instructed and ready for our work. Each to do hisjob- Co C was a well trained and ready outfit Co C 237 Engr C Bn. was tonight to be the best damn Engr. Co. in the army- As part of the 237th Engr Battalion it went on to be just that- Well respected for accepting any job ahead- Then doing it asking no thanks for its work was its duty- Al Birra tonight Co C his company that no man stood alone- The record attained will prove this Al Birra Capt. Co C stood out to all his men- He was the leader

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 -

Your name Charles Muller Jr.

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- Lieutenant Buzzer was hit on the beach and could no longer lead 3rd Platoon so Sergeant R. DeLiberty took command and led 3rd Platoon on in its D-Day work. Very successful We found out later that Lt. Buzzet was killed and is now buried in the Normandy Cemetaries where many U.S. G.Is are buried. De Liberty did his job as we were all trained to do. We were always given a plan worked out exactly as it should be then we were well instructed on what to doin case the 1st plan went wrong-

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? near Southhampton England

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? somewhere in the channel

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? Yes I do- I have a file of names and addresses of many former members of my outfit who participated in the actual assault on the beach. Can give names of wounded and killed. One fellow lives here in Newark who was hit in water before reaching beach. 237th Engrs C Battalion as part of 7th Corp worked to clear beach obstacles for landings. Have contacted former 1st Sgt and he will be able to supply me with complete detailed info on landing- Can also contact Medical officer and medic in this area for info on wounded Army Book -Utah Beach to Cherbourg carries record of landing by 237th unit received French Croix de Guerre with cluster and my company Company C- received presidential unit citation for its work on D-Day Though I was not in the initial assault with C. Co I can give names of those who were- Can secure maps + etc. on landings as well as names of killed or wounded- will help you contact any you may be interested in locating as well as information on the preparation for D. Day- Call Bigelow 3- 0404 Newark NJ after 7:30 P.M. any evening and an interview can be arranged

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 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

326 - 18th Avenue #4 Newark 3, New Jersey May 30, 1958.

Miss Frances Ward, Readers Digest. 230 Park Ave. New York, N.Y.

Dear Miss Ward:

In the June issue, American Legion Magazine Newsletter section there was an article asking for help from Cornelious Ryan, seeking help in contacting D-Day Vets. The article said to contact you, hence this letter.

Though I myself landed on Utah Beach on D plus one, my outfit the 237th Engr. Combat Battalion was responsible along with a Navy Demolition Team in clearing the beaches for the landings. Navy underwater obstacles and the 237th all above the water.

Mention of this and other items can be checked in "Utah Beach to Cherbourg", Dept. of the Army, Historical Division Publication.

I maintain a file of the names and addresses of many former 237th members from whom I hear from at least once a year many of whom were in the initial landings and for which the 237th Engrs. were given the French "Croix de Guerre".

If you should be interested, Sundays would be the best time to contact me or a phone call first to BI-3-0403(Bigelow) any evening after 7:30pm.

Sincerely

Charles Muller1Jr.