WELDON A. CHASE PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: TMD35

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection spans 1942-1946 and covers Chase's military activities at Camp Hale, Colorado; Camp Swift, Texas and in Italy. The bulk of the collection comprises correspondence Chase sent to his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Chase, who lived in Bridgewater, New Hampshire during World War II. Correspondence sent by Chase's older brother, Elton W. Chase, also forms part of the collection. Limited correspondence received by Chase's mother, Marion, is also included.

SERIES 1 WELDON A. CHASE CORRESPONDENCE 1942-1946 BOX 1-2

Correspondence Chase sent to his mother and father comprises the bulk of the series. Chase began writing almost immediately upon his arrival at Fort Devens, Massachusetts in April 1943. He continued to write to his parents almost daily for more than two years. The series includes many examples of military stationery, including numerous varieties of Camp Hale, U.S. Army, 85th Regiment, U.S.O. and American Red Cross letterheads. Eventually, Chase created his own gold-foil letterhead using his nickname, "Bug." Chase's letters occasionally include humorous sketches. One letter includes a limited number of b/w photographic prints, which depict scenes from Camp Swift, Texas. The bulk of Chase's letters are handwritten, although he typed some letters while assigned to office duty. Some miniature V-Mail letters are also included. Limited correspondence that Chase received and sent to other family members and friends also forms a portion of the series.

SERIES 2 CHASE FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE 1942-1943 BOX 1-2

Correspondence sent to various family members by Chase's older brother, Elton W. Chase comprises the bulk of the series. Correspondence received by Chase's mother, Marion, from family members, friends and businesses is also included.

Dates

1942-1946

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

COPYRIGHT:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Weldon A. Chase was born in Saugus, Massachusetts May 2, 1924 to Alvah and Marion Chase. After completing four years of high school, Chase began working in the automobile manufacturing industry. He enlisted in the Army on March 25, 1943 at Boston, Massachusetts and completed his initial processing at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. His older brother, Elton also joined the Army, enlisting March 13, 1941.

Chase arrived at Pando, Colorado around April 11, 1943 and joined the 10th Mountain Division, which was then engaged in mountain and winter warfare training at Camp Hale. He was assigned to the 86th Infantry Regiment. He served at various times in Company D, Company K and the Headquarters Company of the 1st Battalion. Later, he transferred to the 85th Infantry Regiment, where he served with Company L. During combat operations in Italy, Chase was wounded at Mount Belvedere on February 20, 1945. He received a second Purple Heart medal for a wound suffered on April 15, 1945 at Hill 913 near Castel d'Aiano. He also earned a Bronze Star Medal during this engagement. Chase attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, and led a squad of twelve men.

Chase graduated from Boston University in 1948, earning both a BA and BS degree. He worked for 37 years at the Stanley Works of New Britain, Connecticut in sales and marketing, and retired in 1987. In 2004, at age 84, Chase remained active in skiing, hiking and fishing. He and his wife, Clarice "Rusty" Chase, have three children and seven grandchildren.