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IA 14 Woodburn IOWA LL
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day
Green
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? WILBERT LeROY SMITH
What was your unit and division? Co. F. 116th INF. 29th DIV.
Where did you arrive in Normandy and at what time? OMAHA Beach 6A.M. JUNE 6
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? PFC
What was your age on June 6, 1944? NINETEEN
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? ROSALIE FRANCIS SMITH
Did you have any children at that time? NO
What do you do now? FARMER
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? March or April of 44
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? The weather was very bad we were in the Channel an extra day because of it. We read, slept, played poker. We also had boat [illegible] + we had formations, + inspection
Were there any rumours aboard 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.) I don't remember to much. We were supposed to have an easy time. Element of surprise + a light (If any) concentration of German troops
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -
Your name Wilbert L Smith
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 you had with them before they became casualties? No
Were you wounded? Yes
Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were you so surpised that you felt nothing? It actually wasn't pain. It was just like a sharp slap. A sting.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did no, of course, seem amusing at the time? There wasn't anything funny then.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes one of my buddies was hit bad. I stopped by him for a minute. He looked up at me, saluted + said "This is it Smitty." Then he died
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Your name Wilbert L Smith
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? I wasn't on the beach long enough to observe very much. Also there was much confusion.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? on the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1945? on the English 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?
Earl William Walter Wilbenn - So. Boston Va. Killis Thorton, John Thorton - So. Boston Va. Carl Hall. - [illegible]. Herman Saunders - So. Boston Va. Ned Allred. va. Jack Satterfuld - So. Boston Va.
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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Woodburn Iowa June 4, 1958 Miss Frances Ward Readers Digest 230 Park Ave New York N.Y.
Dear Miss Ward
In regard to your article in the June 1958 issue of the American Legion Magazine I participated in the Invasion of the Normandy Beachead I was in Fox Co 116th Inf 29th Division We were in the the first wave and landed on Dog Red on Omaha Beach If you wish further information please contact Wilbert L Smith Woodburn Iowa R.R. #1