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Co, 8th Regt, 4th div.

May 2, 1958

Dear General Van Fleet:

A book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, is being prepared by Cornelius
Ryan for publication in The Header's Digest and 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. The book will not be another
strategic history of the invasion day, but a story of the twenty-four
hours of D-Day as people 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. Everywhere, by written and spoken word, we are directed to the
part which you played in the invasion, and we therefore hope very much
that you will be interested in the project and be willing to help us.

Mr Ryan is presently in Europe trying to get the project under way
there. He will return very shortly, and sometime in the late spring and
early summer of this year he will take a trip across the country inter-
viewing people who have agreed to contribute to the book. He wants very
much to talk with you, if you are willing and able to see him, sometime
during May or June of this year. In the meantime, we earnestly request
your good will and any information or suggestions which you are immedi-
ately able to give us. Colonel Chesnutt at the Pentagon, who gave us
your address, will be able to assure you that the project has the full
endorsement of his office -- and indeed, we could scarcely undertake it
without their invaluable assistance.

In Mr. Ryan's absence, I should be most grateful to know as soon as
possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next
two or three months. We shall look forward very eagerly to your reply.
Thank you so very much, sir, for any assistance which you can give us.

Respectfully yours,

Frances Ward
Research Department

General James A. Van Fleet
Lake Van
Aubumdaie, Florida