Engineer Memoirs
our continuing the operation. This led to the much heavier commitment we have today
compared to that of the 1960s or early 1970s.
Q ..
The basic problem, then, was personnel?
A ..
You could see it continuing as responsibility to a foreign country, and we questioned
whether this was the right thing to
Q ..
Did you feel that way about any of the other assistance programs that were going on
then?
A ..
I think this case was different since it was more a matter of supporting a civilian
economy rather than military support.
Q ..
Have you thought of any other programs in the same light?
A ..
I felt differently about the Post Office program that came later during my tour as deputy
chief because this was a special need in our own country. In Saudi Arabia we were
making what appeared to be a relatively long-range commitment to a foreign
government, which is not a normal activity. Yes, if it was an emergency, but not on a
continuing basis. That was what we were thinking about. The State Department, on the
other hand-and I think appropriately- recognized the long-range implications in the
Middle East. They felt that, if this was a service we could provide to the Saudis, it was
important in the national interest. Therefore, our parochial interests concerning
shortage of personnel and commitment of trained people and things of this sort were
secondary to the overall considerations. That was the final decision, and that's the
decision to which we adjusted. As I said, over the years our commitment has grown
larger rather than decreased.
Q ..
What was General Cassidy like as Chief of Engineers?
A ..
What do you mean?
Q ..
How would you compare him in approach or method with the others with whom you
worked so closely, such as Sturgis and Itschner?
A
Well, Sturgis, Itschner, Wilson, and Cassidy were all different in their approaches. I
would say that Cassidy was more like Sturgis in terms of ability to delegate and let
others take care of the details while reserving himself for the long-range picture. I
didn't have any real problems in dealing with any of them. I recognized the individual
characteristics. traits. and methods of operation. I had no major problems in adjusting
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