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Dear Miss Ward, 9 April 58

I am happy to hear that you plan to write
an article for the anniversary of "D" day in your
so widely read magazine. Although to most of us who
survived, it's horrors need no remindin,g ample
publication of those horrors may serve as an
additional deterrent to future wars.

I was a young captain at the time and
proud to be Plans and Operations officer (S-3) of --
the Battalion of the proud old Virginia National Guard Regiment
the 116th Infantry, 29th Division. Although it was
our first day of combat, we felt we were as ready
as any regiment in the Army and were highly honored
to be selected to assault Omaha Beach alongside
the battle- tried 16th Infantry of the 1st Division.

Our corps commander Major General Leonard T. Gerow had
remarked to us a few days before that "we'll take that
beachhead if it takes every man in the Corps" and
for the first few hours on the morning of "D" day we
began to think it might, but we made it, even
though my regiment alone lost over a 1000 men that day.

See what happens when you start reminiscing
I'll he happy to assist in any way possible if you
should need me.

Sincerely
Carroll B. Smith
Lt. Col. Inf
Combat Developent Office, USAIS
Fort Benning, Georgia.

P.S. Do you have the semi official publication
entitled "OMAHA BEACH" for reference, if
not I'll lend you my copy CBS