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April 23, 1958

Colonel Russel P. Reeder, Jr.
Quarters #1103
West Point, New York

Dear Colonel Reeder:

Thank you for your letter of April 17 to Mr. Ryan concerning
his forthcoming book about D-day. He is in Europe now, trying to get
the project under way in France, England and Germany, and although he
will be back this week I wanted to write in his absence to tell you how
very happy and honored we are to know that you are interested and will-
ing to help us. I speak quite soundly for Mr. Ryan, since one of his
strongest admonishments to me on leaving for Europe was that I should
"write to Colonel Reeder." General Gavin had expressly asked him to
get in touch with you—and histories and press reports have assured that
there must be a wealth of vital stories in your recollections of the
invasion and in your 12th Infantry.

Thus I know that Mr. Ryan will be particularly delighted to
find a letter from you on his return. He wants very much to talk with
you. His book will not be a strategic history, but a description of
24 hours as people lived them, and so the stories and anecdotes which
you suggest will be invaluable. He that I send you a copy
of the questionnaire which we are distributing to most of the people
who offer to help us. It may be simply of interest to you, or of some
use— as you wish. If you would be willing to complete it, as a basic
record for us, we should be grateful, although a meeting between you
and Mr. Ryan will obviously do better justice to your memories. The
question sheets may serve, at least, to indicate the sort of material
which we are seeking.

Major Mills has written me at your request, and so has a
gentleman from the 4th Division at Schenectady. I regret to say that
the latter letter has been mislaid, for the moment, in daily transfers
of mail between our office and Mr. Ryan's secretary. Though I am con-
fident that it will turn up in time. I should appreciate your sending
me his name and address as a safety measure, if this would not be too
much trouble. I know that his letter was most cordial and helpful, and
so, quite aside from the incourtesy involved, I should hate to lose it.
It was very kind of you to send word of the project to your associates.

We shall look forward eagerly to your reply, but Mr. Ryan
will be in touch with you himself before long, I am sure. Thank you
so very much, sir, for your past and continuing assistance.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward, Research Dept.