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PA 54 Phila;PA
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day
THOUSANDS OP MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE BLACK INVASION Of NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THESE, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? Franklin Miller Smith
"What was your unit and division? Company L - 8th Infantry
4th Division Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Ste. Marie-du-Mont June 8th 1944 then on to Ste. Mere Eglise
“What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Corporal.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 33 years old
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife *s name? Mildred L.Smith
Did you have any children at that time? Yes - one
What do you do now? Manager Lamp Division Wholesale Electrical Distributer
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? Some time in July
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? Only talk I remember was would we make it back O.K. and on passing a hospital ship - we hoped we would not be a passenger - But I was.
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). None
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name
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?
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?
Were you wounded? Yes - twice July 8th 1944
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? was too fast.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? yes- one night on guard duty - the enemy was just 50 yards away at all times, we could hear much movement, but was so dark we could see nothing - could not shout or fire. Just sat wondering what was going on - when morning arrived did we feel releived - all the noise was caused by a bunch of cows crossing the road below us and going into a field.
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? yes - the grand way the combat aid man went about their job - just grand. They should be given a special place in any book.
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Your name Smith, Franklin M.
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?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Plymouth, England
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Plymouth, England
Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 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? Luther J Anderson - 41 W. Broad Street Hatfield, Penna, Sgt. Edward H Woody-1st Sgt. Rising Fawn, Georgia William Wilmot - 8512 Shawnee St. Philadelphia 18, Penna T/Sgt
Sincerely Franklin M. Smith
PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS SSIBLE, 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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#4 Franklin M Smith Philadelphia 29, 1958 309 Glen Echo Road Philadelphia 19, Pa. Fanny, I am send ques to him anyway
Miss Frances Ward Reader's Digest 230 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y. Gentlemen.-
In answer to your request in the June issue of The American Legion, I will be most happy to offer my assistence to your work.
I served with the 4th Infantry Division - Company L 8th Regiment, but arrived on Normandy Beach June 8th, 1954 not the 6th as indicated in your item.
If you feel I can help please advise.
Have three decorations along with the Combat Infantry Badge.
Very truly yours, Franklin M. Smith