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June 5, 1958

Dear Mr. Stivison:
A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being written by Cornelius Ryan for
publication In The Reader's Digest and in book form on the fifteenth anniver-
sary of the invasion next spring. It will not be another strategic history of
the operation, but a story of the twenty-four hours of D-Day as men lived them
and remember them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if
they are willing, invade their memories. We have been fortunate in reaching
former Sergeant William L. Petty of Carmel, New York, who has given us a great
deal of his time,and also your name and address. Since the story of the
Rangers is obviously one of the most vital, we hope very much that you will be
willing to help us too.

Mr. Ryan hopes to meet most of the people who agree to contribute to the
book during the summer months of this year, when he will travel across the
country conducting Interviews. In the meantime, we are really overwhelmed by
the hugeness of the project. it would be impossible for us to make any intel-
ligent preparation for interviews without having some sort of basic information
in hand. We have drawn up the enclosed questionnaire in the hope that it will
provide us with this basic information, and also indicate to you the kind of
material which we are looking for. It would be of great assistance to us if
you would be willing to complete this and return it to me at your earliest
convenience. I should like to know also whether or not you would be able and
willing to talk with Mr. Ryan sometime during the next few months, and if so,
where.

We look forward very eagerly to your reply. We really need your help.
Thank you for any assistance which you can give us.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward
Research Department t.

Mr. William J. Stivison
Homer City
Pennsylvania