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VA - 31 Bedford, VA. GREEN (Can't find letters)
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? Egbert W. Thompson , Jr.
What was your unit and division ? Co. E, 12th Inf., [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] 4th Division
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? 1:30 PM, June 6
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? 1st Lt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26
Were you married at that time ? Yes
What is your wife's name ? Rachel K. Thompson
Did you have any children at that time? 1 son
What do you do now? County Supervisor, Farmers Home Administration, USDA Box 131, Bedford, Virginia
When did you know that you were going to he part of the invasion ? Wre had rumors in Dec h3 » at Fort Jackson S.C . Training in England made it pretty definite. We were told of our mission about the middle of May. 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 ? The Channel crossing was uneventful. Everyone tried to get some sleep. Most were successful , but I was using a gun turret on our LCI and aircraft overhead kept the crew stirred up. All other sheltered locations on deck were by then and the sea breeze was too chilly to permit sleep. At daylight we were still approaching France, , so we ate some breakfast , altho few of the men had any appetite. Nor did many have time for conversation. 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 ). This may have been due to better discipline or unit pride . We also None.realized we were one of the few invasion units without combat experience and I believe we felt determined to do as well as the battle-tried units .
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name E. W. Thompson
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? Private Robert Wilson, one of our newest men in E CO, received a shell fragment in his leg to become our only D-Day casualty. He left the beach on the same LCM hhe landed from
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No
Were you wounded? Not on D-Day
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?
Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? No
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? We had to walk past the first deadman most of us had seen. The resemblance to Pvt. Daniel Foca was amazing and the entire company made it a point to make certain that Danny was still with us. Later the company Commander called me over for a conference. It was dusk, we were on opposite sides of a large tree and he chose that moment to light a cigarette. The reaction was prompt. Abullet hit the tree between us right at head level. He didn’t try that again.
About 11 pm C 47s came over with two gliders apiece about 300 feet up and over the German lines. The sky was filled with tracers of all colors while behind us we could hear the ripping and crashing of the big gliders as they landed. I felt quite thankful I was in something as safe as the Infantry.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name E. W.Thompson
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? No
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Crossing the Channel on an LCI
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Sleeping under an apple tree in Normandy
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? Nickolas B. Iapalucci, Cresson, Pa.
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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August 5, 1958
Mr. E. W. Thompson Wakefield Virginia
Dear Mr. Thompson:
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 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 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 look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
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