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Norwell, Mass. MASS 19
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day LL
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.
[handwritten note in right margin] Nothing here + but apparently with Petty outfit [end handwritten note]
What is your full name? Loring Lyman Wadsworth
What was your unit and division? 2nd Ranger Bn.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Landed Pointe du Hoe June 6th at 0700 (1/2 hr late)
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P.F.C.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 22 years old
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name? Norma (Joseph) Wadsworth
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now ? Work in the Funeral Service Sparrell Funeral Service Norwell Mass. Est 1820
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? I was sure June 1st 1944 but thought we would be in the big show in 1943
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 ? We went aboard 5 days in advance & to keep in shape by climbing all over the "Be My Chree" after we started in we had to bail with our hats. I think that we had the first man hit - John J. Sillman
"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). We had dry run it so much I think everybody was kind of glad it was hear
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Loring L. Wadsworth
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No. The thing I remember is the day went very fast. Had a notebook will try to find it.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? 16 killed in action or died of wounds allmost everybody wounded.
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? We were all going to keep in touch with anybody that got [crossed out] had [end crossed out] wounded
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? not much at first but quite a bit next day.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed fumy at the time? Will have more information at interview
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Loring L. Wadsworth
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? After look back I think some of the patrols we went on were that day were very lucky.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On mother ship "Ben My Chree," or "Ben Machree"
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? on a Hedgrow dug under an in
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? I have a list of every man in our Co E 2nd Ranger and some address. Also the "Historical Division U.S. War Department has a book called "Small Unit Actions in which the 2nd Ranger story is quit good. Printed April 4 1946 Also Collier's June 11, 1954 "I took my son to Omaha Beach." I have a Co. E 2nd Ranger History printed in Pizen Czechoslovakia
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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July 22, 1958
Mr. Loring Wadsworth Central Street Norwell, Mass.
Dear Mr. Wadsworth:
A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twentyfour hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.
During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be avaliable for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure