Earl Clark and Richard Over oral history

Collection

Identifier: C MSS OH206

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

During a radio interview broadcast on Denver station KPOK, Jeanna Waring interviews Earl Clark and Richard Over: discussion as to why a Mountain Infantry Division was formed, who made the decision, who was instrumental in formulating the decision, and when and where it was formed; training, organizing and equipping of the unit are also detailed; the decision to change the initial unit mission in Europe from the liberation of Norway to the "Gothic Line" in northern Italy; combat mission in Italy, the number of 10th soldiers killed and wounded, the intended mission of supporting the invasion of Japan, and the deactivation of the unit in November in 1945; post war activities of the Division's personnel including: the development of Arapahoe Basin, Aspen, Vail, and Steamboat Springs ski areas; Clark and Over also talked about the formation of the International Federation of Mountain Soldiers including Germany, Austria, Italy, U.S., and Japan.

Dates

no date

Creator

Wearing, Jeanna, (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the author of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Earl E. Clark was born July 3, 1919 in South Londonderry, N.H., and was educated at the Universities of Chicago and Denver. He enlisted in the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment in March of 1942 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in that year. He served with the 10th until it was deactivated in November 1945. He continued his Army career, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On December 7, 1979 Clark was inducted into the United States Army's Infantry Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga. He was one of the founders of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division and served seven years as its president. In 2001, Clark was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame. He has been extremely active in community affairs and served as Vice President of the Denver Chamber of Commerce for many years. Earl Clark died in Littleton, Colo. on December 28, 2014. -- Richard C. Over was born in Pa. on March 22, 1924. He had completed 4 years of high school before enlisting in the Army on April 12, 1943 at Pittsburgh, Pa. Over joined the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Colo., and was assigned to the 85th Mountain Infantry, Company A, 86th Mountain Infantry, Company 87-G and the 110th Signal company. He left the 10th Mountain Division on November 8, 1944 to accept a commission as a Warrant Officer .