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July 23, 1958

Brig. Gen. Charles H. Chase
Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff
XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Dear Gen. Chase:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniver-
sary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius
Ryan for publication in the Reader’s Digest and in book form. It is
being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the De-
partment of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be
another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty-
four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this,
we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, in-
vade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in
the invasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the pro-
ject and agree to help us.

During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan
will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to con-
tribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you dur-
ing that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally
hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual
file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if
you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record
and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that
these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crys-
tallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which
we are seeking.

I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you
will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very
much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your
personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward
Research Department

FW:LL
Enclosure