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White Oka, W. Va. WV 3 Nothing LL
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? HAROLD HENKEL SMITH
What was your unit and division? Hqs. 3d Bn. 12th Inf. Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Division landed in a column of regiments ours was 3D in order so we stood off shore for some time and saw naval and air bombardment, it was probably 10:00 AM (British Double Summer time) when we reached the beach.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Major - I was Battalion Executive Officer
“ What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26 yrs.
Were you married at that time? Yes
What is your wife's name? Eileen Jarrell Smith
Did you have any children at that time? Yes - one Daughter age 8 1/2 mos.
What do you do now? Lawyer (Retired from Regular Army as Lt. Col., for combat wounds received D+5, from which I never returned to duty)
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion? About May 20 but precise date was unknown.early
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? Very calm. Some last minute time consuming stropping of knives and efforts to further waterproof wrist watches. To bed & up early
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). We expected and inundated area ashore and it was there. Some rumor of the German control of depth of water upon the inundated area.
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Your name SMITH, Harold Henkel
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? Not that I was aware of on that day
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Not on D-Day
Were you wounded? Not until D+5
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? Gun shot wound of wrist felt like being struck with edge of ruler. Abdominal wound sensation was as if slapped in the belly when naked with a soaking wet warm towel. This was D+5.
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Seeing the radio operator who accompanied me ashore practically submerge in the cross ditches as we passed across the inundated area. Seeing paratrooper attempting to ride & transport equipment on large draft horse without any bridle or halter
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The spectacle of waves of gliders, still being towed, coming in just at dusk and the glow of German tracers in the antiaircraft fire (small caliber seemingly) against the planes and gliders.
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Your name SMITH, Harold Henkel
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? Not on D-Day
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Asleep, dressed, aboard an LCI somewhere in the English channel
"Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In a little gully in a pasture field a couple of miles from the beach
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? Jacob Hay (then 1st Lt.) c/o Public Relations, B&O Railroad Baltimore, Maryland BN SL Col. R. P. (Red) Reeder, Jr. USA Ret. West Point (US Military Academy) NY Rgtl C.O. Herman Reed Rice Jr. (then Capt.) c/o Spring Mills, Lancaster, S.C. Co. Cmdr Col. K. R. Lindter (then Capt.) Fort Benning Georgia Co. Cmdr Tallie Crocker, 114 Alderman Lane, Aiken, S.C. Co. Cmdr R. V. Daspit 507 Willard Ave. Houma, Louisiana Co Officer Gerden Johnson 1327 Myron St. Schenectady, N.Y. Bn. Ex. O. Mike Mihalik 40 Forest Rd. Murray Hill, N.J. Co. Cmdr William Mills 23 White Lane Concord, N.C. O. Rgt, Hqs. Ernest Phillips 633 College St. Cuthbert Georgia Rgt S. Lt. Col. Glen W Zarger Comptroller Sec. Hqs. 7 Army APO 46 NY Co Cmdr Col Archie Sproul Staunton, Virginia, (29th Inf Division) Norborn P. Gatling, Jr. Tioge Lane, Pleasantville, N.Y. or 1 Wall St. N.Y., NY. Dn. G5 section
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
So far as I know I will be available for interview, if you choose, at most any time during the next 9 mos. Harold H. Smith Lt. Col, USA Ret. P.S. I was addressed at White Oak, W. Va. which is "ok" but my office and both that and residence phone are Beckley, W. Va.
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August 5, 1958
Mr. Harold H.Smith White Oak West Virginia
Dear Mr. Smith: A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944 to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader*s Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty—four hours of D-Day as people lived than and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.
During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr.Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your per- sonal account. We lock forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
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