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5520 Fremont St
Lincoln
Nebraska
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? Dean Dethroe Gill
What was your unit and division? Troop B 4th. Cav. Recon.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach
June 6, 1944 7:15 A.M.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Sgt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife's name? Elsie
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? Cook for the Veterans Adm. Hospital Lincoln, Nebr.
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
June 1, 1944- all non-commissioned officers were gathered for a closely
guarded briefing and given maps of France. The next day our English
money was exchanged for French.
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?
The channel was very rough and many of us were seasick. Cpl. Gland,
who was in charge of the seasick pills, was the first to become sick
we teased him about it all the way over. A Brig. General of the
82 nd airborn Division (name unknown) was with us and he was talking
about how he was going to do a lot of fishing when he got back to Iowa.
While eating supper one night, of 10 in 1 rations, we found a can of
bacon. The General said he bet the bacon was from Iowa; no one called
him as there was no way to prove it.
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).
Our small ship held only four m-8 armored cars, one half-track
and three jeeps,plus the men. With the General in our
group I believe every one was afraid to start any rumors,
at least I never heard any.