Page 4

- 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