Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 008, folder 45: John Marvin Steele

in D-Day book 82 AB STEELE, John Marvin SC Release STEEPLE

Box 8, #45 Release to PG

505 Steeple

SC 7, AB- I Harkville, S.C. [ added in pencil :] RED-Landed on church steeple at Ste. Mere Eglise

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN 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? John Marvin Steele

What was your unit and division? "F" Co., 2nd Bn., 505th Reg't., 82 A/B Div.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Sainte Mere Eglise 11:30 PM June 5th

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Pvt

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name?

Did you have any children at that time? No

[*N.C. Wilmington Roger 2 4411 X 227 [crossed out]Mr Hafl[end crossed out] Holt

official -- Edgewater 2 8166 Wilmington N. Carolina*]

What do you do now? Construction cost engineer for Ebasco Services, Incorporated New York, N.Y.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? After leaving Naples Italy by boat headed for north Ireland.

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? As I remember, rather smooth on the outside and quite on the inside. We were so loaded down with equipment, so uncomfortable, and rather tensed up that not so much conversation took place. Several of us had short naps at times.

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). No rumors in our plane. We knew we were going someplace where it was gonna be a bit hot.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name John Marvin Steele 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, quite many 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 so surprised that you felt nothing? I remember it seemed like the bite of a keen switch. Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Wounded in foot and hobbling along on a stick under German guard with 6 or 8 other GIs being moved from a German Bn. Hqrs. to thier Reg't Hqs. A small unit of German riflemen headed by a 1st Lt. slipped out of woods stopping us. We were asked a lot of questions (which we didnt answer). The Lt. cut my belt and flipped the buttons from fly of my trousers with a hunting knife and tapping me on the chest with point of same said "so you wont run too fast" in perfect English. Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, a GI in my 60mm mortar squad dropped into a burning building

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name John M. Steel

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 from D- day ? cannot recall any such example of these

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? hanging from church steeple under eaves of church in Sainte Mere Eglise

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? German prisoner at a German regt hqs. near Sainte Mere Eglise

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Henry J. Cloherty, who has a wonderful memory for names and incidents. Same rifle company. Lincolndale, N.Y.

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. [added here in blue ink:] -- copy of citation to General DeGaulle enclosed.

Cornelius Ryan Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

(over)

It was an eeries scene. The firemen with their shiny helmets. The half-dressed people passing the buckets. The Germans, like sidewalk superintendents, watching it all. The thunder of bombs exploding in the distance and above it all the deafening clan of the church bell.

F Co Russel W. Brown Pine Grove Penn Clifford Maughan Tacoma Wash Henny Cloherty

Volunteer Fire Dept [?Katonell?] New York

John Steele BAKOSKEI OP 2 in Wilmington, N. C. [crossed out]Delaware[end crossed out] AL-6-2223