Biography of Charles D. Curley, Jr.

Maj., 1st Plat., E Co., 38th Inf. Regt, 2nd Infantry Division, Battle of the Bulge, US Army

   Major Curley wrote me about his story and his site many years ago. Since then, his site went off line. I copy it here for you below.. He had written his story into a book, which I do not have a copy of. As I believe I see his obituary online, I do not know if you can still order the book from the address below, perhaps his family lives there still. You may wish to write first and see. I do see one solitary copy of his book at a much higher price on Amazon. I do not see it in print anywhere else to be bought online. I link the amazon listing below if you want to check it out. Perhaps another seller may be on ebay or other such site also. Note I am in no way associated with any of these potential sellers and make no representations as such. As with any purchase, buyer beware.

   Finally, if you wish to see his site as he crafted it, which is different than here in look, and to see some reviews of the book he listed, follow the link to the preserved site on the Internet Archive. In any case, here is Major Curley's site recreated here to honor him, his service, and his work.

   "HOW A NINETY-DAY WONDER SURVIVED THE WAR"

   The story of a rifle platoon leader in the 38th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division during WWII

   by Charles D. Curley, Jr. Major-USAR-Ret.

   This book chronicles the authors experiences as a WWII draftee that received appointment to O.C.S. at Fort Benning, GA in 1943.After his commission as Lieutenant, (A 90 DAY WONDER) the first assignment was with the 97th. Inf. Div. then in Louisiana. Shortly there after, he shipped overseas, and attached to the 2nd. Inf. Div. in Wales. He recounts the crossing of the English channel, then landing on Omaha Beach after D-Day, seeing the carnage of war. His next assignment was with the 38th. Inf. Regt. as 1st. platoon leader of E Co. replacing its former wounded officer. From this point forward, he details the intense training with tanks used to breach hedge rows in France. His documentation of attack on hill 192 in Normandy are vividly written. His platoon's encounters with German paratroopers defending the hill are incredible. The fight continues through Normandy, then Brittany,and Brest, France. His platoon gains valuable combat experience, and is counted on formore difficult tasks.The author and his men take part in breaking the "little known Parisian Black Market" a gang of thieves, robbing train shipments of goods to allied forces. Later his platoon moves back into the thick of fighting, in the Schenee-Eifel mountains.The men of E Co. were in the maelstrom of the German attack, known as the BATTLE OF THE BULGE. Historians will likely say," The 2nd Division was vital in thwarting the German march toward Liege". E Co moved rapidly across Rhine river, then through Germany. Many interesting stories are related, some relative to command decisions, the author had part in, because of his out front position. As the story climaxes, with the author an his men in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia where they meet our Russian allies. Finally the trip home. It is hoped these details will enlighten some little known facts for following historians.

   "HOW A NINETY-DAY WONDER SURVIVED THE WAR"

Major Curley's site as preserved by the Internet Archive

Order Formfrom original site, as preserved by the Internet Archive. I have no idea if that address is still valid or if the book is still available

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