Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 47: Buffalo Boy Canoe

82 AB CANOE, Buffalo Boy Cal 1 Los Angeles Box 7, #47 Material released 6/29/59 see special folder

505 Buddy is - John Redhawks head blown off during drop

Torrance CAL-1 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? BuffaloBoy Canoe

What was your unit and division? 82nd airborne -505th- Regt- D. Co.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Hit the Utah Beach, at about 1300 - A.M. Target = Saint Mere Eglise Village

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? T- Sgt.

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 20 years old.

Were you married at that time? no.

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time?

What do you do now? Just left Veterans HospitalI was there from 1955 to the last of 1957- My Profession - Judo Instructor & Physical Education

When did you know ou were going to be part of the invasion? Everyone hears G.I. Rumors and all news from Hdg. We also expected it.

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 can recall some of the guys in deep thought, some praying, some trying to hold a conversation. others reading old letters. a few with big tears of fear, which we all had. My thought was what will it feel like to be hit in the sky, and if I would ever see my dear ones.

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). Yes, I heard the Gasoline rumor and about the Krauts being ready for us. and also about us having bad weather for the Drop Zone, which is a real big worry. and about us being wiped out before we ever made the drop.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name BuffaloBoy Canoe

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? My chute was hit and I run into a German machine gun nest which I was hit 9 times in the stomach + legs. all I can remember is seeing my buddies yelling for aid or dead.

Were any of your friends killed*'or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Many of them were wounded & killed. My best Buddy John Redhawk's head was blown off as he left the Plane. That got the best of me.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes, John Redhawk and I had about 3 minutes before the drop, had been talking about our people on the reservation and how good it would be to get back and celebrate our home coming. and we were joking about who would make it home first him or I. He kept saying he would well, God bless his soul, he made it home for the big rest. He was killed 3 minutes later.

Were you wounded ? I was wounded nine times.

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? I didn't know I was hit. I began to feel weak and get dizzy and my body began to itch. It all was so fast, then later I could hardly breath or see.

Do you remember seeing- or bearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? Yes, the medics after I was hit looked at my dog tag and said, is this your real name (BuffaloBoy) and or coarse I was hurting so I says no, that's my darn dog's name, I was angry and suffering at the time. But later it was amusing and the fellows and I joked about it.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, was when I saw a young trooper about 18 yrs. old with his insides blown out, and he was holding a pair of Catholic Beads praying and begging for someone to shoot him out of his misery. You dont forget those things. and seeing another good friend of mine land with no head on his body.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Buffalo Boy Canoe

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 ? a few- like the time a young trooper killed his first kraut and had a nervous Breakdown. and tried to hide. Then the time one of the fellows turned his Back on a dead kraut to pick up a pretty german ring as a remembrance, and was knifed by the so call dead german.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944 ? Preparing for combat, getting things ready & being briefed.

[*This is wrong*] Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In the sky a few thousand ft. up- ready for the big day.

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 ? [*1.*] Yes! I know lots of them, but I believe some of their names are on Mr Lassen's sheet. [crossed out]or[end crossed out]I have no other address, once in a while I come across a buddy that was over there with me. I am now unemployed trying to get my business again, which was a summer resort and Gym. When I went to the Vets. Hospital, I lost everything I had. You catch me in the time of hardship. If this continues, I will go back to my reservation, at Pine Ridge, South Dakota. I hope your Book is a Big success.

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 HOT 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 5/1/58 Frances Ward Research , The Reader ’s Digest

[*Interview? * TL CA2 AB-I Cal-1*]

BuffaloBoy Canoe age 3422303 Eastwood Court Torrance, California

I am enclosing a poem that I wrote when I [crossed out][illegible][end crossed out] was in the Walter Reed hospital I dedicated this to my buddies, and to my 3 brothers that was killed doing the war. One killed in Europe and 2 in the Pacific. I am of Indian Decent. Oglala Sioux of South Dakota. I came from a family of 15 kids. My father is a chief now. I spent 8 years in the 82nd. Airborne - 505th Regt. I got a discharge in July of 1948after having 4 Major operations. I was wounded many times to count. I made the 4 combat jumps. I received 2 silver stars, 3 purple hearts, Presidential unit citation and all the Battle stars, as well as the Bronze star, and the French, Belgian and dutch Foreign [illegible]. I won a Battlefield Comission as a 1st Lt., But got discharged as a Master Sgt. I have been in Physical Ed. for over 13 years. My specialty is Self Defense Judo. I have taught it 18 yrs. In the 82nd I was a Judo Commando Instructor and Jump Master. I wish to let you know that my poem (The Purple(Heart Oration) will only be used in your BookI will not consent to any other Book Co, without my authorization,

Thank you. BuffaloBoy Canoe