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MICH 5 V-E Clauson Michigan
[Cna't find letter]

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 ? Harry Lester Brown

What was your unit and division? Co. "E", 8th Inf., 4th Inf. Div. Green or Red

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? UTAH Beachhead
6 A.M. June 6 , 1944

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

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26

Were you married at that time ? No

What is your wife's name ? Edna Burriss Brown Sec II

Did you have any children at that time ? No.

What do you do now ? Doctor of Optometry

When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion?
Feb. 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 ?
Being in the initial assault wave, we passed the entire convoy
because of a circuitous route. There was some speculation as
to what some of the equipment was; for example, floating docks,
and amphibious tanks. There was a card game aboard with several
different kinds of money in the pot. On the night of June 5th,
we were served a big steak dinner - which I lost enroute. The
weather was mild until we transferred to the small boats. Then
the sea became rough, we were in the small boats for four hours.
One of our passengers was Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., which
was a big thrill to me. On one of our practice landings previously,
Gen. Roosevelt had good-naturedly chided me for being seasick.
However, that morning he himself had the same complaint.

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 started several rumors ourselves purposely; such as, "There
is a load of rice and chopsticks on board," or "We are to be
issued snowshoes and shorts".