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Dwight D. Eisenhower typed letter signed regarding the Normandy invasion, the most famous military operation of World War II, planned and implemented by then General Eisenhower. In this letter, Eisenhower reflects on the anxiety he felt the night before and day of D-Day, as well as the logistics of the entire Operation Overlord, noting that he believed it was the ''proper strategic line for the Western Allies to defeat Hitler.''

Marked ''PERSONAL'' four times, Eisenhower writes to Peter Gray, the author of a book about the D-Day invasion (included here, titled ''D Day''). Eisenhower mentions in his letter that Gray can use the content of the letter as background for his book, but he is not to use any direct quotes from the letter. Dated 3 February 1967 on Eisenhower's personal stationery, letter reads in full:

''Dear Mr. Gray: / After the lapse of more than twenty years it is indeed difficult to describe accurately my feelings of the period just before and after D-Day, 1944. While I think that all of us in the Allied High Command were quite confident of success, the fact always had to be faced that in this kind of a venture a number of disasters could overtake us. So it would be idle to say that we were not tense.

During the day and evening of June fifth I visited troops which of course kept me occupied, but after returning to my Headquarters sometime after midnight I think I did nothing but sit in my trailer and anxiously await news. The first word I received indicated that some of the paratroopers at least had landed successfully. However, the period of tension continued on through the day of the sixth, due largely to the bitter fighting that took place on Omaha Beach. Elsewhere along the front things were going fairly well.

The landing having been effected satisfactorily the next problem was the build-up of the reserves of troops and supplies necessary to support the tremendous blows that would allow us to break into the open. Consequently, the period of June sixth to August first kept us all working at full speed. This was probably a good thing because otherwise worry and anxiety would have been difficult to bear.

In one point your letter is a bit in error. General Patton did not make the break out in General Bradley's sector. The penetration of the German flank near Avranches was achieved between July twenty-fifth and August first by General Bradley's First Army Forces, including the V, VII and VIII American Corps. General Patton was not brought into the battle line until August first, when the American Third Army was activated and he was given its command, to exploit the breakout.

Because as far back as the spring of 1942 I had been initially involved in preparing the outline plan for the operation that was eventually called OVERLORD, and for more than two years thereafter had earnestly supported it as the proper strategic line for the Western Allies to defeat Hitler, I was not only confident of its eventual success, but at its moments of crisis I felt a particular burden of personal responsibility and anxiety.

I think that this answers at least in some feeble way the questions you have placed before me. Incidentally, this is not to be used in direct quotations. Because of your interest I have sent you this information with the understanding that it will be used only as background material. / With very best wishes for the success of your book, Sincerely, [signed] Dwight D Eisenhower''.

Two page letter on two separate sheets measures 7.25'' x 10.5''. Boldly signed at conclusion by Eisenhower in black felt-tip. Near fine condition. Accompanied by original mailing envelope with Eisenhower's franked stamp from Indio, California. Also accompanied by author Peter Gray's book, ''D Day'' and three pages of his notes. Consigned from the estate of Peter Gray. With University Archives COA.

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