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[*NY 69 Endvell, N.Y. 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? Charles J. Cascio
What was your unit and division? [crossed out]USZ[end crossed out] USS LST 312
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 0700 June 6,1944
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Seaman Second Class
What was your age on June 6, 1944? Eighteen years of age
Were you married at that time? No
What is your wife's name?
Did you have any children at that time? No.
What do you do now? Mail carrier U. SaPost office, Endicott, NY
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We were briefed on June 4that about 1300 hours
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? It was a very rough corssing, and the troops were [crossed out]for tje mostpart[end crossed out] very sea-sick. most of the coversations were concerning German E boats, U-boats, mines, and the German Air force . Most of the time was spent loking for mines etc. The most remarkable part of the crossing was the fact that we spotted only 3 floating mines. The constant drone of American planes over head was the most re-assuring thing that prevaliled.
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). It was of the general varitey, as to the Germans having pipes in the Channel all set to turn then on and ignite them when we got in close enough so as to prevent escape.Then too, the general rumors that the [crossed out]Stuka[end crossed out] Stuka’s were all set ot attack when we hit the beach, with the receding tide leaving us high and dry on the beaches.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Charles J. Cascio
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? I did , but destroyed, when I got home, much to my sorrow.
Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day ? No
Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties?
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?
[*?!*] Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it did not, of course, seem amusing at the time? We had aboard a stewards Mate, who had obtained the nick -name of "suit-case", according to him he had been torpoed twice , Upon being rescued and returned to port it took him a few days to obtain a full dress unifoorm . I don't belive there lived a sailor that love liberty more that “Suitcase”. Upon seeing him at his gun station with his suit case some of the men yelled that he was trying to jinx the ship. He held up his suit case and yelled back,Yew" boys do what yew want to do, but I got my liberty blues packed just in case we have to go over the side, I'm not going to miss liberty on any account, of not having a proper uniform come hell, Hitler, or high water.”
Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic, or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? the most menorable thing that stuck in my head , after all this time, was watching the infantry hit the beach, thru glasses, sick, vomiting, and running up the beach, and thinikg,those poor bastard's troubles are just starting.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Charles J. Cascio
not D-day
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? I belive the greatest example of ethier occurded [crossed out]on o[end crossed out] for me not in Normandy, but in Depthford, Engleand [crossed out]nl[end crossed out] on July 10,1944. When I believe Lst 312, and another American LST were the first US war ships to be struck with V*L 's(flying -bombs). Both ships suffered many casualities. [crossed out]Azs[end crossed out] As I remember it we were hit about 0200on July 10,1944. Itknocked out the lights and the concussion jammed all the escape hatches. Amind all the confussion, and the screams of the wounded, I saw the greatest example of the "Survival of the fittest". Every one ran for the escape hatches bent on only one thing to get out before the the ammo stored [crossed out]uner[end crossed out] under neath crew’s quarters went off. Upon finding all the escape hatches jammed and imp oosible ot escape every one paused to reflect[crossed out]ther[end crossed out upon their animal type behavor, and stared looking after the wounded. Fortunately for us the British Dock workers arrived and sarted cutting holes in the deck to let us get out. The panic of a few moments earlier was gone, although the danger of the ammo going off was there. Every one [crossed out]3XXM[end crossed out] made sure all wouned we first ot go, and we all filed out in orderly fashion. I honestly believe that in times like that only a breif pause is all that is needed, to make any man stand up like a man.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Enroute to Normandy Somewhere in the English Channel
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Achored of 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?
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
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ENDICOTT MAY 28 6 30 PM 1958 N.Y.
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