Page 2

Now in I ran but hots of info at
home in Calif. Shall I write
[?write for Jr - on suggestion.?]
[?Ryan see in Calif??]
*Had leg
blown off on
Omaha
Beach -
was with
Yank photographer when
killed
THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICPATED IN THE
INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNG=IGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name?
Herman V. Wall
What was your unit and division?
165 Signal Photo Co. Assigned to First Army ETO
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Omaha Beach, Easy Red sector
Time not definite, shortly after H hour
What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Captain
What was your age on June 6, 1944?
39
Were you married at that time?
No
What is your wife's name?
Ruth J. Wall
Did you have any children at that time?
What do you do now?
Photography, Illustrative, Advertising, Story Illustration.
Now on Assignment as Director of Photography for the International
Communications Library Project Los Angeles State College Foundation.
Now on location in Persia, after completing two month in Turkey.
When did you know that you were going to be a part of the invasion?
As Commanding Officer of the 165th Sig. Photo Co. and Company Officers ,
were "Bigoted" quite some time before the Invasion, perhaps six week of longer.
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?
[crossed out] were B Longer [end crossed out}
The crossing was routine. As we approached the beach, I photographed
a panarama view of Omaha Beach with six or so frames in sequence. Also
watched the shelling of the beach and block houses by the Navy.
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).