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Cleveland, Miss MISS 12 LL Nothing
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? , Fred P. Sullivan
What was your unit and division? Co "G" 12th Inf. Reg. 4th Infantry Div.
Where did you arrive in Normandy Utah Beach- [crossed out] About[ [end crossed out] I believe the order called for H + 90 min but we were a little late landing on the beach.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 27
Were you married at that time? yes
What is your wife * s name? Celeste Carpenter Sullivan
Did you have any children at that time? yes (two)
What do you do now? Field Representative (salesman) for Miss Chemical Corporation - Fertilizer manufacturing
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? I knew definite in Jan 1944. However a remark was made about a year before that indicated we possibly would be in it.
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? We went aboard ship on June 2 and pulled out in the harbor at Plymouth there we waited for the order to move out. During this time there was the question as to wether the invasion would be called off. We started pulling out the port about dusk on the night of June 5th. I remember Lt. Richard C Brown and Capt. Jason C Hardee and talking about what combat would be like. Capt. Hardee made the remark that he was anxious to see what combat was like and Brown and I told him we didn't want any part of it and that we didn't believe that you could visualize war as bad as it was going to be. Capt. Hardee was killed later.
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). To my knowledge there were no rumors aboard the ship.
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Your name Fred P. Sullivan
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 beoame casualties?
Were you wounded? Yes on the night of June 9th
Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were/you so surprised that you felt nothing? Yes. The first thing I knew I heard an explosion & found myself on the ground I new immediately that I've been hit in my right foot & shoulder. My first impulse was to get back to my company when I got up I've found that I could not control my foot and it wouldn't bear weight but I managed to get back to my unit C.P. After this I do not remember for short period of time
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time?
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else?
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Your name Fred P. Sullivan
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?
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Aboard ship in the English Channel
Where were you a£ midnight on June 6, 1944? In a creek just over the hill from small village (Neuville Au Plain) the area where the Gliders came in on late afternoon of June 6th our front line was a long Hedge Row on ridge [crossed out] above [end crossed out] about 400 yard from the above mentioned village.
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? Robert V. Daspit Houma, LA. Richard C. Brown Napoleon, Ohio. Jame P. Smith Jacksonville, Fla. out
I am sorry for the delay, the letter was not forwarded to my present address.
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
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Aug.5, 1958
Mr.Fred P.Sullivan [crossed out] Winona [end crossed out] Box 87 Cleveland Miss. Mississippi
Dear Mr. Sullivan:
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 strate- gic history of invasion day,but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as people lived them 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 a 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 ye need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure