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FPD For Cornelius Ryan LL Book about D-Day CAL 13
THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
What is your full name? Knut H. Raudstein
What was your unit and division? Co "C" 506th Prcht. Inf
Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? 0130- 6 June 1955 by parachute 500 yds North of Ste Marie Eglise
What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Capt.
What was your age on June 6, 1944? 27
Were you married at that time? yes
What is your wife *s name? Doris L.
Did you have any children at that time? yes
What do you do now? Lt. Col U.S. army- operations officer MAAG Cambodia
When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? Surmised as much in late 1943
I wrote a monograph in 1948 on D Day activities and was fortunate in being able to collaborate with about twenty other participants. A copy is probably obtainable from the Infantry School Library, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
I'm sorry that time does not permit giving you the detailed responses to your questions that they deserve. Yes or no answers will not serve your purpose
K H Raudstein
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SEARCH REPORT RETURN TO: TO:] The Adjutant General, Washington 25, D. C., ATTENTION: AGPI ] The Air Adjutant General, Washington 25, D. C., ATTENTION: ] Commanding Officer, Army Records Center, DODMPRC, TAGO, St. Louis 14, Missouri
INFORMATION DESIRED OR TO BE VERIFIED IS INDICATED BY AN "X" IN APPLICABLE BOX(ES )
LAST NAME - FIRST NAME - MIDDLE INITIAL Raudstein Kunt H. GRADE Lt Col SERVICE NO. 0 53 611 DATE OF BIRTH
PRESENT ORGANIZATION AND STATION United States Army Element, Military Assistance Advisory Group , PER REPORT OF CHANGE DATED (8687)
Navy Nr 150, Box C, FPO, San Francisco, California
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT OR INDUCTION DATE OF ENL OR IND ACTIVE DUTY DATE DATE OF RANK
LAST DUTY STATION TYPE OF SEPARATION DATE OF SEPARATION
BRANCH ENLISTED FOR MOS NO RECORD ABOVE INDIVIDUAL CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED
DATE CLERK ROOM NUMBER
REMARKS
VERIFIED ON LAST ROSTER (Date) CLERK DATE ROOM NUMBER
DD FORM 14 REPLACES DD FORM 14, 1 FEB. 55. GPO: 1956 O - 384451 1 APR 5 6
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May 9, 1958
Dear Colonel Raudstein: [marginalia] NB 1st Bn 506 Para Inf 101st AR
A book about D-Day, June 6, I944, Is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in The Reader’s Digest in book form on the 15th anniversary of the Normandy invasion in the spring of 1959. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the Department 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, invade their memories. Having learned from the Departmentof the Army, of the part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you'll be interested in the project and will be willing to help us.
Mr. Ryan is presently in Europe trying to get the project under way there. He will be back in this country very shortly, and during the late spiring and early summer of this year, both in this country and in Europe, he will be interviewing many of the people who agree to contribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during that period, if you are willing and able to see him. In the meantime, since we are literally dealing with hundreds of people, we are finding it necessary to keep an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore we hope that if you are willing to help with the book, 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 crystallize some hazy memories and do indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.
In Mr. Ryan’s absence, I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next two or three months. We will look forward very eagerly to your reply. We want very much to tell your story and the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need you. Thank you so very much for any help which you can give us.
Sincerely yours,
Frances Ward Research Department
Lieutenant Colonel Kunt H. Raudstein, 053611 United States Army Element Military Assistance Advisory Group (8687) Navy Nr. 150, Box C F.P.O. San Francisco, California
