Page 2

LL U-1 NY 18
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 TORE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

What is your full name? Russel P. (Red) Reeder, Jr.
What was your unit and division? 12th Inf. Regt; 4th Inf. Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? D-Day at about 11:30 a.m.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Col.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 42
Were you married at that time ? Yes
What is your wife's name ? Dorothea D. Reeder
Did you have any children at that time ? Yes; 4

What do you do now? Ass't Graduate Manager of
Athletics at West Point

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
Mar. 27, 1944 (Because I worked in the pentagon I
also knew the week D-Day was to be.)

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?
Yes- prefer to relate orally.

What were the rumors aboard 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).
prefer to relate orally---
(M/R: story of Pvt. Nardulli
" " Capt. Holton
" about the damned escape kits.)