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Fort Knox KY-3

For Cornelius Ry
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? John C. WELBORN

What was your unit and division? 70th Tank Bn attached to
4th Infantry Divsion Boone

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
Utah Beach About H+

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lt. Colonel

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 35 years

Were you married at that time? yes

What is your wife's name? Elizabeth B. Welborn

Did you have any children at that time? yes

What do you do now? PresiDent, US Army Armor Board

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
About February 1944

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 ?
Rough. Talked to Col. J.A. Van Fleet (later Lt. Gen)
Commander of 8th Inf of 4th Division
to which my unit was Attached and a war
correspondent (name unknown)

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).

Heavy mining and obstacles on Utah beach