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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