Leif J. Sverdrup

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Leif J. Sverdrup
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Buried
Valhalla Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1918–1919
1942–1958
Rank Major General
Service numberO-129029
Commands held102nd Infantry Division (United States) 102nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Australia)
Other workSverdrup & Parcel

Leif Johan Sverdrup

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur
.

The son of a distinguished

Amelia Earhart Bridge over the Missouri River and the Hurricane Deck Bridge over the Lake of the Ozarks
.

In 1941, Sverdrup became involved with the construction of a chain of airstrips across the

Papua and New Guinea on engineer reconnaissance missions into enemy-occupied territory, for which he was decorated with the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Medal
. In 1944 he became the theater's Chief Engineer.

After the war, he commanded the

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
, the latter being named one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World after its completion in 1964.

Early life

Leif Johan Sverdrup was born in

Lutheran minister, and his second wife Agnes née Vollan. The family was a distinguished one in Norway: Leif was the great-nephew of Johan Sverdrup, the former Prime Minister of Norway; the grandson of Harald Ulrik Sverdrup, the politician; the cousin of Otto Sverdrup, the Arctic explorer; the half-brother of the oceanographer and meteorologist Harald Sverdrup (of who the unit is named after); and the brother of the mining engineer and businessman Einar Sverdrup and women's rights activist Mimi Sverdrup Lunden.[1]

Leif was educated at Nordstrand Middle School and Aars and Voss School in Oslo. Following a quarrel with his father, Leif left Norway for America to stay with his relatives in

Augsburg College, Minneapolis, in September 1916, and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1918.[4]

World War I

Sverdrup enlisted in the

US citizenship. Sverdrup formally took the oath as a citizen in Boston on 30 September 1918. The US Army then sent him to the Field Artillery's Officer Training Center at Camp Zachary Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 18 January 1919. The war having ended, Sverdrup was immediately placed in the inactive reserves. He was honorably discharged after nominally serving two five-year terms on 17 January 1929.[5]

Between the wars

Sverdrup decided to become an engineer and enrolled in a civil engineering course at the University of Minnesota in 1919. During the 1921 Spring break he returned to Norway, where he was reconciled with his father, accompanying his parents on a short holiday in Germany. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree in June 1921. While at the University of Minnesota he met Helen Laura (Molly) Egilsrud, a recent immigrant from Norway like himself. She agreed to marry him, but only after she had graduated, worked for a year, and taken a trip to Europe.[6] They were finally married on 26 November 1924. Their union produced two sons, Johan Norman (Jack) Sverdrup, born in 1926, and Ralph Lee Sverdrup, born in 1928, who died of encephalitis in 1932.[7] In the meantime, Sverdrup took a job with the Missouri State Highway Department. His first major project involved supervising the construction of a bridge for U.S. Route 50 in Missouri over the Gasconade River.[8] Around this time, frustrated by Americans who pronounced his name "leaf" instead of "lafe", he started calling himself "Jack".[9]

A pair of bridges, with of lot of steel trusses.
Platte Purchase and Fairfax Bridges, seen from the south bank.

In 1928, Sverdrup joined with his former University of Minnesota engineering professor John Ira Parcel in the formation of

tenure at Minnesota for a long time and was reluctant to sever his ties completely, but eventually, he decided to join the new company, taking an unpaid Sabbatical from the university for one year. Sverdrup owned 60% and Parcel 40% of the new firm, which opened its doors on 1 April 1928. The company's headquarters was located in St. Louis, Missouri. Sverdrup & Parcel's first contract was for the design of a bridge over the Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri, for which it received a fee of $33,000.[10] While at the Missouri State Highway Department Sverdrup met D. C. Wolfe and E. R. Grant, and he asked them if they would join the company. Sverdrup subsequently borrowed design engineer Brice R. Smith from Missouri's leading supplier of bridge components, Stupp Bros. Bridge & Iron Co. By 1936, all three would become partners in the firm.[11]

A graceful truss bridge over a broad river.
Washington Bridge from the southwest bank.

Initially the young firm struggled, with no contracts for major jobs lined up after the Hermann bridge, and by early 1929 it faced insolvency. However neither Sverdrup nor Parcel wished to let well-trained employees go, something which became an informal company policy over the years. A $17,000 fee for the design and supervision of the construction of the

US Army Corps of Engineers, the chief engineer on the project. The project folded when federal funding was withdrawn in 1936, but Sverdrup and Casey became friends.[13] In 1940, Sverdrup was appointed to the board of inquiry that investigated the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.[14]

World War II

Airbase construction

In October 1941, the

Honolulu, Hawaii and signed a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract
for architectural and engineering services in connection with the construction of the airstrips on the route that lay in British, French and Australian territory. The contract was soon expanded to include the supervision of the construction.

Sverdrup flew to Fiji, and was able to report that work had started at

Nandi Airport in Fiji which New Zealand had agreed to extend, Walter Nash, then New Zealand Minister of Finance, recalled Sverdrup saying when he was leaving that there was no formal agreement for payment by America. So on the back of one of his business cards Sverdrup drew a cross representing the airfield, wrote "£250,000" and initialled it "L.J.S." The extension was actually estimated to cost £750,000.[15]

On Noumea he found that hills obstructed the approaches to Tontouta. Accordingly, he arranged for the Australian workmen there to complete it as an emergency field only and for development of the major airbase to be carried out at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield.[16] Sverdrup was working in Suva when he heard the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.[17]

The

Cyrus H.K. Curtis as Lyndonia, converted to a floating luxury hotel ship. With the start of the Pacific war Pan American abandoned its commercial facilities in the war zone and requested they be taken over by the U.S. military.[18] Southern Seas, along with other company property, was taken over by the U.S. Army and Sverdrup recommended the ship be operated to support the airbase construction in the islands, including doing required survey work. On 30 December 1941 the Southern Seas was purchased from Pan American Airways by the U.S. Army Hawaii District Engineer for the sum of one dollar while settlement was reached on value of the ship.[19]

Captain Norman Miller in I Took The Sky Road describes a meeting with Sverdrup during a stop in Nouméa harbor on the return flight of XPBS-1 from Java where the seaplane had delivered high priority supplies including torpedo exploders:

The luxury of the Southern Seas was a far cry from the cramped quarters of the old XPBS, and I remained aboard over night, reveling in comforts previously enjoyed by Pan Am's customers. But the yacht was of no further use to Pan Am. Their service to New Zealand had been discontinued. The yacht was to be turned over to Sverdrup to serve him as a floating office which could follow him around among the islands.[20]

They decided Sverdrup would fly with Miller in XPBS-1 from Nouméa to Suva, Fiji, Sverdrup's headquarters, with the Southern Seas following.[20] He arrived in Sydney on 30 December.[21] In January 1942 Sverdrup signed a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide architectural and engineering services to US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA). The contract remained in force until 15 May, when it was terminated by mutual agreement and Sverdrup & Parcel employees in Australia became civilian employees of the US Army.[22] On 16 April, Sverdrup boarded the first of a series of aircraft which would return him to the United States.[23]

New Guinea Campaign

Two men in Army uniforms shake hands
Brigadier General Leif Sverdrup (right) and Major General Hugh Casey (left) in 1944.

In Australia, meanwhile,

Marsden mat for pavement.[26]

A map of Papua, indicating the various routes taken across the Owen Stanley Range.
Allied advance across Owen Stanley Range 26 September - 15 November 1942.

In September 1942, MacArthur decided to outflank Japanese troops on the

Bena Bena through the Markham Valley to the vicinity of the Japanese base at Lae. On each expedition he submitted detailed reports on the possibility of construction in the area.[28] Sverdrup was awarded the Silver Star. His citation read:

For gallantry in action near Abau, New Guinea from 18 September 1942 to 6 October 1942. Colonel Sverdrup led reconnaissance party into enemy-occupied territory, far in advance of friendly troops, and thereby secured information of great value to the command.[29]

Wing Commander
W. A. C. Dale (second from right), whose engineers of No. 62 Works Wing RAAF built the airstrip. General Wurtsmith's plane is in background.

Sverdrup was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. His citation read:

For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a position of great responsibility in Papua, New Guinea, during the period 23 July 1942 to 23 January 1943. During the Papuan campaign, Colonel Sverdrup personally executed numerous reconnaissance missions in New Guinea, over difficult mountains and through swamp and jungle, far forward of the areas occupied by our troops, in order to secure vital information needed for engineering operations. Utilizing native labor, which he recruited and trained, equipped only with hand tools, he constructed with great rapidity a series of air fields urgently needed for the transport by air of troops and supplies to distant and otherwise inaccessible areas. His success in completion of these essential advance airfields, accomplished under severe physical hardship and at great personal risk, made possible the effective coordination of land and air forces and contributed materially to the success of the Papuan campaign.[30]

Philippines Campaign

Sverdrup was promoted to brigadier general in May 1944.

US Army Services of Supply (USASOS) was ready to take over. Sverdrup became acting Chief Engineer, GHQ SWPA in Casey's absence.[32] On 12 January 1945, MacArthur personally decorated Sverdrup with the Distinguished Service Cross
. His citation read:

For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy at Lingayen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 9 January 1945. Landing with the first wave of assault troops and with complete disregard for his own safety, he proceeded immediately to render invaluable assistance in the seizure of the vital Lingayen airfield. General Sverdrup's exceptional courage, initiative determination contributed immeasurably to the success accomplishment of the mission.[33]

Sverdrup became the first American to be decorated for the Luzon campaign. MacArthur, in making the presentation, said: "This is the engineer soldier at his best."Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 210 Sverdrup was promoted to major general in March 1945.

U.S. Military Academy. MacArthur had not worn them since he had transferred to the infantry. He told Sverdrup that "they deserved to be worn by a real engineer" and made him promise that they would not end up in a museum.[35]

Occupation of Japan

In August 1945, Sverdrup flew home on MacArthur's private aircraft, the Bataan, accompanying Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland to Washington, DC for a series of meetings at The Pentagon before going on leave. The Surrender of Japan caused Sverdrup to cut short his leave and return to GHQ in Manila. On 29 August 1945, Sverdrup landed in Japan. He entered Tokyo the next day with Casey to find a site for GHQ, which they decided to locate in the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo. On 2 September, Sverdrup attended the formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri. He received the Legion of Merit on 21 September before departing for home again the next day.[36]

Post-war

On 3 June 1947, the

William C. Gribble, Jr.[35]

A sandy beach with a causeway that heads straight out into the water.
Aerial view of the Virginia Beach, Virginia entrance to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

Sverdrup returned to Sverdrup & Parcel, but with much less personal involvement than before, as Grant was now running the company, which was

Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 1 August 2007.[44]

Legacy

Leif J. Sverdrup died on 2 January 1976 and was interred in Valhalla Cemetery in

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is named for him as well having the front gate bear his name.[51]

Notes

  1. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 1–3.
  2. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 8–9.
  3. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 3.
  4. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 10–13.
  5. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 14–15.
  6. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 15–20.
  7. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 28–29, 42, 52.
  8. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 21–24.
  9. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 30.
  10. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 34–39.
  11. ^ a b c "Sverdrup Corporation - Company History". Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  12. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 54–61.
  13. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 62.
  14. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 78–81.
  15. ^ Sinclair 1976, p. 213.
  16. ^ Dod 1966, pp. 45–48.
  17. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 91–92.
  18. ^ Dod 1966, p. 163.
  19. ^ "U.S. Army Engineers in Hawaii" (PDF). US Army Corps of Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  20. ^ a b Miller & Cave 1945, pp. 83–84.
  21. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 95.
  22. ^ Casey 1953, p. 22.
  23. ^ a b Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 107–108.
  24. ^ Dod 1966, pp. 130–131.
  25. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 110.
  26. ^ Dod 1966, pp. 149–153.
  27. ^ Dod 1966, pp. 178–180.
  28. ^ Casey 1948, pp. 43–44.
  29. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 129.
  30. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 149.
  31. ^ a b Ancell & Miller 1996, p. 313.
  32. ^ Casey 1947, p. 205.
  33. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, p. 210.
  34. ^ Casey 1947, p. 307.
  35. ^ a b Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 361–362.
  36. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 230–240.
  37. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 254–255.
  38. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 299–300.
  39. ^ "Honours and Awards - Leif Jack Sverdrup". Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  40. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 266–268.
  41. ^ Franzwa & Ely 1980, pp. 247–249.
  42. ^ "Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel historical background". Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  43. ^ "Louisiana Superdome". Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  44. ^ "Collapsed bridge design firm has deep Minn. roots". 16 January 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  45. ^ "John I. Parcel-Leif J. Sverdrup Civil Engineering Management Award". Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  46. ^ "Sverdrup Medal". Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  47. ^ "The Sverdrup Visiting Scientist Program. Augsburg College". Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  48. American Academy of Achievement
    .
  49. ^ "Leif J. Sverdrup Complex. Webster College". Archived from the original on 6 September 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  50. ^ Brittain 1976, p. 181.
  51. ^ "MG Leif J. Sverdrup Chapter of the Army Engineer Association". Waynesville St. Robert Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 14 July 2016.

References

External links


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