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Bellefonte, Pa PA 66 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 ? Homer Joseph Saxion
What was your unit and division? Company K 22nd Infantry Reg.
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Utah Beach Daybreak June 6, 1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? P.F.C.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 31 Were you married at that time ? No - Divorced What is your wife name? - Did you have any children at that time ? Yes, 1 daughter Barbara Elle
What do you do now ? Extrusion Press, titan Metal Mfg. Co. Bellefonte, Pa
Then did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? Middle of May 1944
What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel ? Do you remember, for example, any conversations the time ? We were on the boat 3 days. It was calm tell the morning of June 6th when it became rough. We played black jack and gambled till we became broke. It was an English ship. We had church services. We conversed with English sailors and they took our mail to send home. They were very friendly we discussed what was in store for us.
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). I can't recall any on board ship.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name - Homer Joseph Saxion
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 or during the day? Yes
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?
Were you wounded? Yes Twice
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? I was too scared to feel pain.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Fred Pilsner [inserted] Not listed in Blelyr Wiring Army for his address [end inserted] in our unit took 2 German Prisoners to ship for England. They were amazed when he spoke to them in German. Then he revealed he was German born and had 2 brothers & a nephew in the German Army.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Yes, a soldier who was hell shocked. Another soldier who had most of his face shot away. Robbed their gardens and made stew. Giving French children our rations.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Homer Joseph Saxion
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? We had no artillery covering when we went ashore from the beach but a sailor from an American Battleship went along as an observer and he was very brave as he directed the fire from the battleship.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? English Channel on an English ship. A troop ship.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Utah Beach in a swamp.
Do you know of anybody else who landed within those 24 hours (midnight June 5 to midnight June 6) as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Fred Pilsner - (address unknown) Brooklyn NY Harold Simmons - Last known in NY Elmira State.
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF 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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July 22, 1958
Mrs. Homer J. Saxion 356 Pine Street Bellefonte Penna.
Dear Mrs. Saxion
Thank you so very much for your recent letter and for your interest in Cornelius Ryan's book about D-Day. I have just sent a note to your husband requesting his cooperation and assistance.
It was very kind of you to take the trouble to let us know of your husband's whereabouts. We are very grateful for your thoughtfulness.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department FW:LL