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Homer City, PENNSYLVANIA
For Cornelius Ryan
Book about D-Day
PA 14
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. IP YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? William J. Stivison

What was your unit and division? 2nd Infantry Ranger Battalion

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Point de Hoc - 6:25a.m. June 6 194
Rangers landed 7:10

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Staff Sergeant

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 25

Were you married at that time? No

What is your wife's name? Edna (Hensell) Stivison

Did you have any children at that time? No

What do you do now? Postmaster at Homer City, Pa.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? February 1944

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 was on an L.C.T., with four dawks, with Power ladders
the channel was very choppy. Conversation not exciting
men were very calm, I watched what is probably the
greatest display of fir work ever to be displayed, on
June 6 1944 - as the navys and the Air Force opened up
On Omaha, and Utah beaches and Point de Hoc. (The rocketts
which burst in the air wher U.S. and British plane burning
and exploding in the air. The night was very quickly broken by the fl
-s from the shelling.

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).
I recall no rumors - a few men from our Company had been
in France with the British commando's on reconn. raids and
some of there discriptions resembled our landing area.