The Story of BILL RYAN

At the 40th Anniversary William Ryan met up with a party of British Normandy Veterans and was pleased to accept an invitation to join the Wirral & Chester Branch of the NVA. As a distinguished veteran of the American Armed Forces, Bill is a unique and valued member of the Association. Since he joined it has become much easier to keep contact through e-mails and Bill has become a very welcome, although distant, member of the Group. Bill was very pleased to be included in the 65th Anniversary pilgrimage to Normandy in June 2009 and fully intends to join the Brits again for the 66th Anniversary.

"It’s marvellous to have Bill Ryan as a member of our branch, keeping strong that symbolic link between the American & British Allies. I know Bill treasures his membership with us and that he has made a lot of friends amongst our Normandy Veterans, just as we value his friendship. We always look forward to seeing him again – our very own Private Ryan, although strictly it’s Sergeant Ryan!"

- Yvonne Innes (NVA Chester & Wirral branch)

This account was written by Bill Ryan in April 1994 in preparation for his return to Normandy after 50 years...

On 6th June 1944 I was assigned to Company 1 of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. In conjunction with eight other rifle companies, we constituted the initial assault force which landed on Omaha Beach.

In the early hours of 6th June we proceeded to disembark from the transport into six 30ft LCAs which were the landing craft allocated to our Company. We had been on this transport for quite a few days because they had rescheduled the Invasion from 5th to 6th.

As a result of the cramped quarters and the rough seas, most of the men were already seasick, or as a minimum felt really nauseated. Once all our boats were loaded, we proceeded to form up for the twelve mile run into our assigned sector of Omaha Beach.

Once we departed from the lee side of the transport, we were like a cork in a bathtub. Everyone who was not already sick became sick...