LARD, Vivian (Jack), St. Helena Parish, Louisiana File prepared by D.N. Pardue and submitted by Inez Bridges Tate. ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ From "St. Helena Vets Remember World War II: Personal Interviews With World War II Vets", published by St. Helena Historical Association, 1995. Compiled and edited by Inez Bridges Tate and reprinted with permission. Vivian (Jack) Lard was born and raised near Holden in Livingston Parish. He graduated from Holden High School in 1935. Following graduation, he worked on his parents' farm and drove the school bus for his dad some and did some carpen- try work in Baton Rouge. Jack was drafted into the Army on November 2, 1940 in Baton Rouge. Basic training was at Camp Blandon near Jackson- vile, Fl. He was on Louisiana maneuvers which ranged from Shreveport to Lake Charles. While on manuevers he was scheduled to receive a 72 hour pass to come home to be married. His fiance', Miss Grace Carter, had everything arranged. Jack's leave was reduced to 48 hours but they decided to go ahead with their plans. Grace's cousin Jeanette and her cousin went with them to Hammond where after the marriage ceremony they ate at a nice retraurant. Jack and Grace spent their honeymoon at the Case de Fresa in Hammond and the next day returned to her parents' home in Holden. They were married on August 30, 1941. Jack's unit had bivouaced in Hammond and he was to meet them in Holden. Grace said she heard the army trucks coming but by the time Jack dressed he had missed the last one. He finally caught up with his unit in Lake Charles. Alas!, he was "busted from PFC to Buck Private, however." Jack spent time at camps in North Carolina and South Caro- lina where Grace was able to visit him. He returned to Ft. Blandon, then to Camp Bowie, Tx and on to Fort Dix, NJ where he shipped out for England. He traveled across the Atlantic on an English ship that had been taken from the Germans named the Orantes Barrows. Landing in England, Jack was stationed near a coastal town where he was involved in preparation for the invasion that everyone knew was inevitable. They were subjected to bombing frequently from the Germans. Jack was a part of the 31st Division and remarked that a Regiment was sent to North Africa to participate in the battles there. His unit worked with the Counter Intelligence Company (CIC). Load after load of equip- ment for the invasion was brought in near the base. This was covered to camoflauge so no overt pictures could be taken. They had the responsibility to protect and guard this equipment against sabotage. A buildup of men were brought in to be train- ed to spearhead the impending invasion. Jack recalled talking to some of these assault troops who knew how bad the situation would be when they went in. The entire coast was strongly for- tified and the beaches of Omaha and Utah and others were finally secured but many young men lost their lives in this effort. The invasion was postpoined several times due to the weather conditions, he remembers. Jack's unit crossed the English Channel about five weeks after D Day and went to LeHavre, France. They were attached to Patton's Army (Third Army). He did guard duty to protect rail- roads and communications. Also they guarded Germans who were prisoners held by the Americans. He recalls that they were guarding a group of prisoners when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A radio was being played and as some of the prison- ers spoke English, they noted how intently those were listening to this news. Jack went into Belgium and to Paris. He chuckled about seeing women lined up on either side of the river in Paris to wash their cloths, beating them with a paddle. When he came home, American women had washing machines for their clothes. Quite a contrast. Overseas duty was from September 2, 1942 until September 19, 1945. Jack attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Decorations and Medals: Am Def Medal; EAMETO; Good Conduct Medal. Having enough points, Jack returned to the United States and was discharged on October 15, 1945 at Camp Shelby, Ms. Jack returned to Holden to his bride, after a three-year absence. Grace laughed and said she had told him goodby 15 times before he went overseas. He bagan work as a carpenter, working at various chemical plants in Baton Rouge through the years. Jack and Grace moved to Montpelier in 1955. Jack retired in 1978 and for many years grew wonderful vegetables on his farm. Now due to declining health, Jack and Grace live a quiet life, reading and staying abreast of current events. They have one daughter, two granddaughters and one great grandson, all a source of great pleasure to them. * * * * *