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82 17 13 6 April 1959 Dear Mr. Ryan: Jim Gavin has written to me concerning possible assistance to you in writing on D-Day operations in Normandy. In his most recent letter he suggested you obtain a history of the 508th Parachute Infantry which I commanded during World War II. This history is available and will provide you with factual information since it was thoroughly screened by me during its preparation. However, with the thought that you may wish to consult with, or write to some of my staff and unit commanders who went through Normandy and World War II in the 508th, I have this date written to Colonels Shanley, Mendez, Holmes and Taylor suggesting that they contact you and offer you any assistance you may wish. They were with the regiment from its activation in 1942 through to occupation of Germany in 1945, participating in all actions in Normandy, Holland and the Bulge. I am sure that they can give you anything you want.
Trusting that the foregoing will be of some assistance you, I am.
Sincerely yours, ROY E. LINDQUIST Major General, U.S. Army Commanding
Mr. Cornelius Ryan 230 East Forty-eighth Street New York 17, New York
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17 April 1959 Mr. Cornelius Ryan 230 East Forty-Eighth St. New York 17, N. Y.
Dear Sir: Major General Roy E. Lindquist, World War II Commander of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, has advised me that you are writing articles covering D-day activities of the 82d Airborne Division. He asked me to assist you by providing information pertaining to the activities of the 508th PIR. This I am quite happy to do. I served with this regiment from May 1943 until August 1946. On D-day, 1944 I was the Regimental S3 (Operations and Training Officer). I hope that I may be of assistance to you.
Sincerely, OTHO E. HOLMES Colonel, GS (Infantry) 024252
Colonel Otho E. Holmes OACSI, USA, 8533rd DU The Pentagon Washington 25, D. C.