Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 006, folder 12: Charles R. Cawthon

American

Cawthorn - Capt at that time

Saw one TK firing in front of Les Moulins.

Saw one man drop in water in front of him. Saw man ahead surrounding, and hiding behind obstacles waist deep water- nauseated. 4 hr ride in boat. Hit on [right - scratched out] left cheek by shrapnel, ruptured tooth. "Damn good thing it didn't hit eye" Twisted head around. Scene was "hells with fires banked" Half running, half being washed. Strong tide running. Unable to stand up.

Grass fire uncovered S-mines

at shingle got [illegible] on left side of cheek when he reached shingle

Had dinner with Capt [inserted] Sherman [end inserted] Burroughs of Roanoke, VA, wife and children Saw him [?dead?] in water. Capt Madill, Co E Fla [crossed out] Capt [end crossed out] [inserted] Lt [end inserted] "Crow" Williamson Martinsville, VA The war had become real ( He'd married a British girl during 1943-44 - both had dghs born after D-Day) "I'm going to recite the shooting of Dan McGrew "all the way into the beach."

April 27, 1959

Lt. Col. Charles R Cawtho [crossed out] r [end crossed out] n Allied Forces Center Europe EUCOM PIO Paris, France

Dear Colonel Cawtho [crossed out] r [end crossed out] n

We have your interview and questionnaire in connection with a book on D-Day which is being prepared by Mr. Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest in book form.

Due to the overwhelming response to this request, we have been deluged with material and have not had a chance to write to each and everyone as yet. However, we do want to thank you for being patient with us and to tell you how deeply grateful we are for your cooperation in sending us your questionnaire.

In order for us to edit your material for use in the book, it will be necessary for us to have your signature on the attached release, which we would thank you to return in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.

Again many thanks for your help.

Sincerely, for Cornelius Ryan

aw encl.

THE READER'S DIGEST PLEASANTVILLE NEW YORK

PARIS

May 2, 1958

Mme. Yvonne Panitza Selections du Reader ’s Digest 216 Boulevard Saint-Germain Paris 7e , France Dear Mme. Panitza:

In an interview with Mr. Ryan, Colonel Sidney Bingham ( on D-day he was a major commanding 2nd Battalion, 116th Regimental Combat Team, 29th U. S. Infantry Division ) said that Lt. Colonel Charles R. Cawthorn, now EUCOM PIO in Paris at Allied Forces Center Europe ( telephone number 9F1-3102, ext. 12 ) was "shot through the face on D-day, but it turned out to be a superficial wound , the bullet passing through both cheeks and only upsetting his bridgework." Mr. Ryan was not able to catch Colonel Cawthorn in Paris while he was there, and so asked me to write and ask you if you would please interview him.

I am enclosing , as a matter of possible interest, some samples of the letters which we are sending out in this country, as initial re- quests for information or in reply to letters which we receive in answer to our ads. Here is also a letter received from Germany whose meaning— as you can imagine — is only piecework to us; we think that M. Panitza will probably want to handle it from there. And finally, here is a letter received from Honolulu, which is self -explanatory. We haven't done anything at all with it, since Mrs. Arnold seems to fall into your sphere and would probably, in any case, be more comfortable corresponding in French.

I hope that this will be of some help and interest, and that all goes well with you. Mrs. Arundel sends her best regards, and so I.

Sincerely yours, Frances Ward Research

The Reader's Digest Research Department 230 Park Avenue New York 17 New York

CORNELIUS RYAN 230 EAST 48TH STREET NEW YORK,NEW YORK

May 27, 1959

Correct address Lt. Col. Charles R. Cawthon [crossed out] Allied Forces Center Europe EUCOM PIO Paris, France [end crossed out] [inserted] Hq. AFCE APO 11, New York, NY

Dear Colonel Cawthon:

We enclose copy of a letter and release which we mailed to you on April 27th and which apparently has gone astray.

We do hope this letter reaches you as we are most anxious to have your release as soon as possible.

Many thanks.

Sincerely, A. Wright secy

for Cornelius Ryan

aw encl.

9 June '59

Dear Wright:

This letter and your previous one arrived at the of last week within a day of each other. The address ^used^ is somewhat a mixture of two commands and caused some confusion.

Of course I gave Mr. Ryan this material on D-Day expecting him to use what he saw fit. However as nothing was said about assigning "all rights whatsoever" (or indicated) (over)

it did not occur to me that this was the practice. To do so, of course, would mean that I would have never have the [crossed out] use of [end crossed out] right of use of it should such occasion arise.

I am not attempting drama, but my knowledge of Omaha Beach was acquired at [crossed out] [illegible] [end crossed out] the cost of considerable physical and mental travail and I would not care to sign away the right to its use for any consideration whatsoever. I regret it if this causes an inconvenience, but I believe it could have been avoided if the conditions of assisting [crossed out] it [end crossed out]in the endeavor had been specified at first. If this was done, it escaped my attention. May I assure you of my willingness to cooperate within the limits of the above.

Sincerely, Charles R Cawthon Lt Col, US Army