Robert W. Ryals, Senior, 2009-11-09 [MilColl OH 737]

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OFFICE OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Military Collection State Archives of North Carolina Robert W. Ryals Sr. Interview Summary MilColl OH 737 Interviewee: Robert W. Ryals Sr. Interviewer: Michelle Campbell; Gene Locklear Interview Date: November 9, 2009 Interview Location: Unknown Interview Runtime: 1:15:20 Biographical Sketch Robert Wilson Ryals Sr. was bom on August 1 1, 1924, in Fayetteville, N.C., to Eddie R. and Margaret R. Ryals. Eddie Ryals was a veteran of World War I, and worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. In 1930, the Ryals family relocated to Rocky Mount, N.C. In 1942, Robert Ryals graduated from high school, and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Ryals volunteered for paratrooper training upon his enlistment in the U.S. Army, and was assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment in November 1942. He attended basic training at Camp Toccoa in Stephens County, Georgia, then jump training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After jump training, Ryals’ regiment was assigned to the Airborne Command at Camp Mackall, N.C. While stationed at Camp Mackall, the 501st Parachute Regiment participated in maneuvers in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana. In January 1944, the regiment deployed to England from Camp Myles Standish in Taunton, Massachusetts. Upon their arrival in England, the 501st Parachute Regiment was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. On June 5, 1944, the regiment participated in the Invasion of Normandy during the D- Day operations, landing near Carentan, France, hours prior to the seaborne landing on the beaches of Normandy. Ryals saw combat in Normandy, then returned with his regiment to England in mid-July 1944. In September 1944, Ryals participated in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. After 72 days of combat in the Netherlands, the 101st Airborne Division moved to Mourmelon, France. In December 1944, the regiment fought in defense of Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Ryals was in Mourmelon, France, when he learned of the German surrender in May 1945. 1