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Mr. Cornelius Ryan in care of Miss Frances Ward The Reader's Digest Research Dept. 230 Park Avenue New York, New York
From J. K. Owen PhD Ast Director of Hospital Commonwealth Richmond, VA (PO Box 2A?
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.
rec'd 11/7/58
What is your full name? Joseph Karleton Owen
What was your unit and division? Hq 4th Inf Div
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach. was on fly ship as Liaison from Div to Mariel Staff. Arrived at Beech 10:30AM
what was your rank on June 6, 1944? Captain
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time? No
Whatis your wife's name? Kay Kastler Owen
Did you have any children at that time? No
What do you do now? 2 daighters age 6 mos & 3 yrs
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? 6 mos before
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? Was relieved that it finally was going thru. I personally wrote message and carried it to Gen R O Benton in his quarters conveying him confirmation of Invasion ([crossed out July[end crossed out] June 5th This info was given me in operations by member of Admiral Moore't staff
What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttle-but to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). None that I remember.
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Your name Joseph Karlton Owens
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing during the day? yes Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? yes Were you wounded? No
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?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, though it may not have seemed funny at the time? NO
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic -or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? I just remember seeing piles of bodies on the beach, boats & while getting blasted, swarms of injured behind wells, mortars suddenly falling, calmness of forward eschelon of our Division staff
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Your name Joseph Karlton Owen
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? none of significance
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On Fly ship- Bayfield. Had midnight snack with members of 8 Inf Regiment Col Strickland loaded down with first, wt, was a comedy and pity and an "april fool" to me as I had not expect him to be such a real fighter as he turned out to be
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Inland about 2 miles at a farm house & barnyard.
Do you know of anybody else who landed within 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? Msr Henri Renard and family of St Mere Eglise work close to the whole story. I did not land but they were mixed up with paratroopers, Germans, 4th Div. , billed civilians, heroirs, etc. I suggest you read his book - Ste Mere Eglise - also contact him. A great source of silline data.
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES BT THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IP 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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CURRICULUM VITAE
of
JOSEPH KARLTON OWEN
VITAL STATISTICS Born in Bedford, Virginia on November 28, 1917.
EDUCATION High School Diploma, 1937. Bedford High School, Bedford, Virginia.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1941 Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Master of Science in Hospital Administration, 1953 « School of Public Health, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Presbyterian Medical Center of Columbia University, Hew York, New York. Major Studies: Hospital Administration. Minor Studies: Public Health.
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospital Administration, (the fourth awarded in the world ), 1955 - Program in Hospital Administration, Graduate College, State University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Major Studies: Hospital Administration. Minor Studies: Statistics. Educational Psychology.
SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION
Special Associate Course, Command and Staff School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, May, 1949.
Army Medical Service Field Grade Officer Refresher Course, The Army Medical Service School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, April, 1956.
Institute for Hospital Administrators, International Business Machines Corporation, Endicott, New York, New York, September, 1948.
Hospital Administrators Institute Conducted by American Hospital Association, Medical College of Virginia, July, 1949.