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Sewickley LL
Pa 8

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 ?
Kenneth W. Lamar

/ What was your unit and division?
LST #27 US Coast Guard

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time ?
Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944 anchored 500 yrd. off beach.
June 8, 1944, made landing.

What was your rank on June 6 1944?
Fireman i/c

What was your age on June 6, 1944?
19

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 ?
US Coast Guard (regular)

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
June 1, 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 ? The trip across
the channel seemed long, 3 days actual time, entire time was
spent at General Quarters, a lot of bombs -c- flares were
dropped.

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).
Rumors were that most of German Army was
consentrated in the Normandy area, and also some word on
the heavily mined beaches, which was true.