Page 5

June 20, 1958

Mr. Melvin Thompson
Crosswicks Road, RFD
Yardville, New Jersey

Dear Mr. Thompson:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary
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 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 of the
part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be
interested in the project 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 contribute
to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during 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 pro-
ject, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me it your ear-
liest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as
well as us, if they can help to crystallize 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

June 20, 1958

Mr. Melvin Thompson
Crosswicks Road, RFD
Yardville, New Jersey

Dear Mr. Thompson:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniversary
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 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 of the
part which you played in the invasion, we hope very much that you will be
interested in the project 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 contribute
to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you during 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 pro-
ject, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me it your ear-
liest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as
well as us, if they can help to crystallize 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