Paul Switzer
Interviewee: Dr. Paul Switzer
Interviewer: Nolan Bell
Date of Interview: 25 April 2002
Length of Interview: 120 minutes
Dr. Paul Switzer was born in Union, South Carolina, in 1917. After completing medical school, he joined the U.S. Army in 1942. Dr. Switzer was a captain in the Western Task Force, which was under the direction of General Patton. He was first sent with the second wave into Casablanca, Morocco, where his outfit was provided with their guns and trained in how to use them. He first encountered battle at Kasserine, Tunisia, and then his unit helped win the Battle of El Qatar. After this battle, General Patton made some negative comments about Dr. Switzer's unit’s fighting capabilities, inspiring his negative attitude toward the general. Dr. Switzer discusses the movements of his unit in detail and also the rations, including the strict regulations on water in the desert. His unit was then sent north to Italy where General Patton (having a change in opinion) noticed that they were a pretty good artillery unit and decided to send them to France to help with the invasion. Dr. Switzer’s 58th Field Artillery Battalion helped invade France at Omaha Beach on D-Day. He gives a very graphic account of the invasion in this interview. He tells many stories, including one of being awarded a Silver Star for what he calls an “act of cowardice.” He then gives a detailed account of fighting battles, commanding men, and trying to find his way across France. At one point he was separated from his outfit and describes trying to get back to them and having other men join him because he was a captain and they did not know what else to do. His vivid, thorough account of the invasion is remarkable. The detail given is very good, but may be hard for someone without a background in military maneuvers to follow. Though the last part of the interview is inaudible, the first portion definitely makes up for the end.