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Nothing unless he should be included for PR reasons Washington, DC. Good side note on Ranger story N - N
For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-Day
THOUSANDS OF MEN, 0N 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. WASH DC 8 LL
What is your full name ? Richard B. Derickson
What was your unit and division? U.S.S. TEXAS assigned to naval gunfire support
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ? Where: Naval Gunfire Support Areas in the immediate vicinity of “ Omaha Beach". When: An hour ( more or less) before daylight.
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieutenant Commander , U.S. Navy
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 34 years
Were you married at that time ? Yes
What is your wife's name ? Alvina Siems Derickson
Did you have any children at that time ? Yes ; a son 8 yrs a daughter 5 yrs
What do you do now? I am a captain in the U.S.Navy, presently on duty in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Middle of April 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 ? During the final hours of approach, from evening twilight on 5 June, all hands in the TEXAS were at general quarters (battle stations). There was no apparent excitement although one cannot deny that there was a pervading atmosphere of tenseness and expectation. Conversation was scant. Such as there was concerned itself with the German minefields and our ability to stay within the swept channels and with what we might expect on and after our arrival in the gunfire support area. We in the gunfire support ships knew that our work was cut out for us and we thought we probably had a better idea as to what to expect than did the soldiers in the landing craft who were going to "hit the beach”.
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 ). In so far as I know there were no rumors as such in the TEXAS.
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- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name R. B. Derickson
Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No. I seem to recall that the keeping of diaries was not permitted.
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? 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? After the initial landings and somewhat later in the morning the TEXAS moved in quite close to the shore line and we had what amounted to a ring|side seat for an army assault on a strong position at the top of the cliffs on Pointe du Hoe. The enemy was we11 covered and dug in but we could very clearly see our own troops and follow their movements as they advanced or fell back and took cover. Particularly spectacular from our point of view was the fact that there was a color bearer who appeared to always to remain with the most advanced units. The whole thing took on the appearance of a show and I was reminded of scenes from old movies and wild west shows depicting skirmishes and engagements between army units and Indians of the old west
There were, of course, many other incidents, but this one seems to stick most vividly.
? Not very ump, Rangers color bearers?
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- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name R.B.Derickson
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? Sorry to say, I don't.
Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? In the channel approaching the assault area.
Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? In the U.S.S. TEXAS at anchor in the assault area.
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? I can be of no help to you here. Or perhaps this man would help. Hon. John J. Gilhooley Assistant Secretary of Labor. He was a junior officer in the Texas.
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. NOTE I assume that the clearance by proper Department of Defense authority will be obtained prior to publishing any items written by members of the Armed Forces. My permission to use or publish any of the above remarks or observations is based on this premise. R.B.Derickson
Cornelius Ryan
Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest
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June 3,1958
Capt. Richard B. Derickson Office of Naval Operations Room 4E-481, Pentagon Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Capt. Derickson:
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 personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
FW:LL Enclosure