Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 017, folder 42: Lucius P. Chase

CHASE, Lucius P.

6th Eng Sp Brig Wis 7

Material Returned 6/29/59 see special folder

Box 17, #42

6th Engr. Spec. Brig Omaha

7: AM

Background

[*Kohler, Wisconsin LL GREEN WIS 7*]

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? Lucius P. Chase

What was your unit and division? Sixth Engineer Special Brigade

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach, about 7:00 A.M., June 6, 1944

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Colonel

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 42

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Virdelle Simpson Chase

Did you have any children at that time? Three - Donald, Margaret, Peter

What do you do now? General Counsel and Director, Kohler Co., Kohler, Wis.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? March 1944, although I had rather taken it for granted for almost a year because of my participation in planning of and supervision of training for the invasion.

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time? Via landing craft, Infantry (LCI No. 92). Fairly rough sea, many men seasick.

[*what?*] Card-playing, story-telling, singing, speculation of enemy interference, interest in the "Armada”,(particularly its size), reviewing of operational plans, talk of the folks at home, etc. Messages of General Eisenhower and General Montgomery were read to the men.

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). Thorough briefing kept rumors to a minimum. Several thought this was just another rehearsal. On each of the rehearsals there was a tendency to believe it was the real thing.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Lucius P. Chase

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? Yes

Were you wounded? Yes

Do you remember what it was like—that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? Surprised and pained

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time?

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? I recall many incidents, but none particularly above the rest.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day? The day was crowded with ingenious, self-reliant and stupid things done by many people.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? At sea

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Omaha Beach, Normandy

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? [*have*] Col. (Later Brig. Gen.) Paul W. Thompson, c/o Reader's Digest

[*out*] Capt. A. G. Kroos, Jr., c/o Kohler Co., Kohler, Wisconsin.

Lt. Col. Edwin Wolf 110 East Lexington Baltimore, Maryland

[*have*] Major Mac A. Palmer 224 Bennett Avenue Council Bluffs, Iowa

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Cornelius Ryan

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

July 23, 1958

Col. Lucius P. Chase c/o The Kohler Company Kohler, Wisconsin

Dear Col. Chase:

A history of D-Day, June 6, 1944, to coincide with the 15th anniver- sary of the Normandy invasion next year is being prepared by Cornelius Ryan for publication in the Reader's Digest and in book form. It is being written with the complete cooperation and assistance of the De- partment of the Army and the Department of Defense. This will not be another strategic history of invasion day, but a story of the twenty- four hours of D-Day as people lived them and remembered them. For this, we can only go to the men who were there and, if they are willing, invade their memories. Having learned of the part which you played in the in- vasion, we hope very much that you will be interested in the project and agree to help us.

During the next few months, both in this country and in Europe, Mr. Ryan will be interviewing many of the D-Day participants who agree to con- tribute to the book. Very probably, he will wish to talk with you dur- ing that period. In the meantime, since we are dealing with literally hundreds of people, we have found it necessary to develop an individual file on each person who agrees to help us. Therefore, we hope that if you are interested in the project, you will complete the enclosed record and return it to me at your earliest convenience. We truly believe that these questions will serve you, as well as us, if they can help to crys- tallize some hazy memories and to indicate the sort of information which we are seeking.

I should be most grateful to know as soon as possible when and if you will be available for interview during the next few months. We want very much to tell the story of your unit, and in order to do that we need your personal account. We look forward eagerly to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Frances Ward Research Department

FW:LL Enclosure