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N.J. ARMELLINO, John - 1st Div
Call - Franny Box 11, #7
AB82--TE S. MERE EELISE
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[*watch out for spelling of name 1st Div*]
May 9, 1958
Dear Major Armellino: [*DSC*]
A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius RWyan 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 inva- sion 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 Depart- ment of 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 spring 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 re- turn it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these ques- tions will serve you as well as us, if they can help to crystallize some hazy memdories 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 pos- sible 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
Major John R. Armellion, 0442775 574 57th Street West New York, New Jersey
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CORNELIUS RYAN 230 EAST 48TH STREET NEW YORK,NEW YORK
April 16, 1959
Major John R. Armellino 574 57th Street West New York New Jersey
Dear Major Armellino:
We last wrote you in May asking you to fill out a questionnaire in connection with a book on D-Day which Mr. Ryan is preparing for the Reader's Digest.
We have been deluged with material and have not had a chance to write to each and every- one as yet. However, we do want to thank you for your patience with us and are deeply grateful to you for sending us your questionnaire.
As we plan to list your name in the back of the book, we would very much appreciate your giving us the following information:
Rank on D-Day CAPT. U.S. ARMY INf. What do you do now MAYOR, WEST NEW YORK, N.J. & RESTAURANT OWNER (PARK CASINO)
Looking forward to hearing from you and again thanking you for your help, we are
Sincerely, [*Anne Wright sec'y*] aw for Cornelius Ryan