Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 015, folder 03: Walter John Buckley

WASH DC USS Nevada 10 BUCKLEY, Walter John Vs [crossed out]N[end crossed out] Box 15, #3 Dead File

[*Ex.p.3 LL N-TE VA 10*]

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? Walter John Buckley

What was your unit and division? USS Nevada BB 36) Battleship Division Five.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Utah Beach Two AM June 6

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieutenant Commander

What was your age on June 6, 1944? Thirty four

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Marguerite Anna (nee Dennen)

Did you have any children at that time? Yes two Lillian Anne and Marguerite (now 18 and l6 respectively) One son Walter J.Jr born Dec 4 1944.

What do you do now? Captain U S Navy

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About mid [crossed out]April[end crossed out] MARCH

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? Departed Belfast Lough on June 3,Reversed course when landing was delayed twenty four hours.Many planes not identified positively as friendly were suspected to be German snoopers.None came closer than about two miles.The delay kept all hands keyed upand everyone wished we were going in as planned and get it over with.The ship went to Battle Stations at 2200 (10PM) [inserted]JUNE 6[end inserted] and remained at battle stations until our arrival inPplymouth to replenish fuel and ammunition on June10. Afte replenishment we returned to the Bay of the Seine.

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). Our problem was primarily the danger of mine fields.The CO had every intention in case of serious mine damage to beach the ship and make a fort out of her.As chief engineerwith the help of the engineers force,plans had been made to run emergency suction lines to obtain cooling water for condensers and other auxiliary machinery so that the generators could be kept in operation to supply power to the turrets and mounts.

- for Cornelius Ryan c - Your name Walter J.Buckley

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No Compiled scrap book after the war of this and other operations. Also have book published by USS Nevada after war

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? None with my unit

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? XX

Were you wounded? No

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? XX

[*good*] Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? On the approachthe night of June 5 we heard news broadcastswhich did not seem funny then and to some extent not now either.I recall news of a baseball pitcher who had been injured in a game and the commentators remarks as to whether he would be able to play the rest of the season. Another item concerning a strike at a tank plant in Detroit was not well received at that time by the listeners.

Some of the real humor from the crew was based on trying to keep their minds off the next 24 hours.One sailor said"Well if a woman can swim the ch channel I guess I can."Another said "This is the first secret I have ever been able to keep from my wife.I know what is coming off in the morning,and she doesnt.Boy will she be mad.”

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? Charles J.Gibson of Lee's Summit Mo.then a seamanfirst class loaded 26000 pounds of five inch shells for two hours and ten minutes with the fingers of his right hand broken.This is approximately 660 rounds ,each shell weighing about 40 pounds. [*Find Gibson?*]

[*Poem over*]

Over

From a srap book I prepared after this and other actions I found the following poem written by a Lieutenant Junior Grade Doctor named Kimball while sitting in the sick bay during D Day.I do not know his initials nor present wherabouts.With all due credit to the "Doc"I quote his poem.

THE USS NEVADA.

They used to call her the "neverdo" In fond jest of her heart so true But she lived to prove that they were wrong Who said at Pearl that she was gone For since that day of infamy She’s led the pace to victory On May the eleventh in forty three She made the Japs on Attu flee For speak she did with all her guns "Like hell’s own fury"Said "heavaens sons" And then she turned to another foe For she’d repaid a sneaking blow She bid her time for the test supreme Protecting troop ships from submarine And when the day for Invasion came She kicked the Germans from the Seine For here on France’s channel coast She was even the soldiers pride and boast And sad it was for the arrogant Hun On the receiving end of Nevada’s guns Nor retired will she ever be Until she has crossed the Yellow Sea To sink the Jap fleet far below The paths that lead to Tokyo And made the futile Japanese Beg for peace on bended Knees And then she’ll make her first retreat To anchor again near Peco Street And while her victory tales are spun She’llrejoice for a job weel done.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Walter J.Buckley

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? English Channel approaching Utah Beach through mine swept channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Off Utah Beach giving supporting fire on call

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? [*LL*] Captain Powell M.Rhea USN Commanding Officer USS Nevada during invasion Now Rear Admiral USN Retired of Fayetteville Arkansas.

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