Custer Battlefield Park Superintendent January 6, 1941 to May 1, 1956. Grandfather, Admiral Sptephen Luce, founded the Naval War College. Major Edward S. Luce was an actual veteran of the 7th Cavalry having served from 1907 to 1910, Company B. Worked as Ft. Bliss historian in 1938. Prior to arriving at the Custer Battlefield Luce spent several months in training at the Arlington National Cemetery and in 1941 he became the first National Park Superintendent. Perhaps no other superintendent was more qualified for the job than Edward Luce who had a deep interest in the battle. "During Major Luce's early years in the 7th Cavalry," former park historian Don Rickey, Jr., said, "he spent much time working up the history of the regiment as a troop clerk in regimental headquarters." Luce's passion for the Custer fight earned him the reputation as an authority on the battle and in 1938 he published, Keogh, Comanche and Custer. His wife, Evelyn Luce, also a gave a large amount of her time in administrative duties at the park.
A number of noteworthy achievements and events happened at the Custer Battlefield under Luce's leadership:
1941- Horse Cemetery-while laying a new drain pipe on Custer Ridge workers uncovered a number of horse bones, part of the battle debris buried long ago by cleanup details from Fort Custer.
1943- Nye-Cartwright Ridge discovery
1947- Robert Utley hired as seasonal guide.
1949- Custer Battlefield handbook written by Luce and Evelyn published and sold for 15 cents. (right)
1949 Edgar J. Stewart served as seasonal interpreter. Dr. Stewart would later write Custer's Luck, considered by many scholars as one of the more comprehensive studies of the battle.
1951- The 75th Anniversary of the battle. The last surviving Sioux warrior from the battle, Dewey Beard (Iron Hail), attended the event. Jacob Horner, the last surviving 7th Cavalryman of 1876, was expected to attend but ill health forced him to cancel.
1952- New visitor center opens on June 25.
1954- Battle Ridge road paved
1955 - Don Rickey, Jr., becomes area historian. Author of History of Custer Battlefield.
1958- Wooden marker placed on the battlefield indicating where Lame White Man was killed.
Author- "Keogh, Comanche and Custer," 1939
Author-"Custer Battlefield National Monument," handbook(shown) 1949.
A number of noteworthy achievements and events happened at the Custer Battlefield under Luce's leadership:
1941- Horse Cemetery-while laying a new drain pipe on Custer Ridge workers uncovered a number of horse bones, part of the battle debris buried long ago by cleanup details from Fort Custer.
1943- Nye-Cartwright Ridge discovery
1947- Robert Utley hired as seasonal guide.
1949- Custer Battlefield handbook written by Luce and Evelyn published and sold for 15 cents. (right)
1949 Edgar J. Stewart served as seasonal interpreter. Dr. Stewart would later write Custer's Luck, considered by many scholars as one of the more comprehensive studies of the battle.
1951- The 75th Anniversary of the battle. The last surviving Sioux warrior from the battle, Dewey Beard (Iron Hail), attended the event. Jacob Horner, the last surviving 7th Cavalryman of 1876, was expected to attend but ill health forced him to cancel.
1952- New visitor center opens on June 25.
1954- Battle Ridge road paved
1955 - Don Rickey, Jr., becomes area historian. Author of History of Custer Battlefield.
1958- Wooden marker placed on the battlefield indicating where Lame White Man was killed.
Author- "Keogh, Comanche and Custer," 1939
Author-"Custer Battlefield National Monument," handbook(shown) 1949.
Custer Battlefield Park Superintendent January 6, 1941 to May 1, 1956. Grandfather, Admiral Sptephen Luce, founded the Naval War College. Major Edward S. Luce was an actual veteran of the 7th Cavalry having served from 1907 to 1910, Company B. Worked as Ft. Bliss historian in 1938. Prior to arriving at the Custer Battlefield Luce spent several months in training at the Arlington National Cemetery and in 1941 he became the first National Park Superintendent. Perhaps no other superintendent was more qualified for the job than Edward Luce who had a deep interest in the battle. "During Major Luce's early years in the 7th Cavalry," former park historian Don Rickey, Jr., said, "he spent much time working up the history of the regiment as a troop clerk in regimental headquarters." Luce's passion for the Custer fight earned him the reputation as an authority on the battle and in 1938 he published, Keogh, Comanche and Custer. His wife, Evelyn Luce, also a gave a large amount of her time in administrative duties at the park.
A number of noteworthy achievements and events happened at the Custer Battlefield under Luce's leadership:
1941- Horse Cemetery-while laying a new drain pipe on Custer Ridge workers uncovered a number of horse bones, part of the battle debris buried long ago by cleanup details from Fort Custer.
1943- Nye-Cartwright Ridge discovery
1947- Robert Utley hired as seasonal guide.
1949- Custer Battlefield handbook written by Luce and Evelyn published and sold for 15 cents. (right)
1949 Edgar J. Stewart served as seasonal interpreter. Dr. Stewart would later write Custer's Luck, considered by many scholars as one of the more comprehensive studies of the battle.
1951- The 75th Anniversary of the battle. The last surviving Sioux warrior from the battle, Dewey Beard (Iron Hail), attended the event. Jacob Horner, the last surviving 7th Cavalryman of 1876, was expected to attend but ill health forced him to cancel.
1952- New visitor center opens on June 25.
1954- Battle Ridge road paved
1955 - Don Rickey, Jr., becomes area historian. Author of History of Custer Battlefield.
1958- Wooden marker placed on the battlefield indicating where Lame White Man was killed.
Author- "Keogh, Comanche and Custer," 1939
Author-"Custer Battlefield National Monument," handbook(shown) 1949.
A number of noteworthy achievements and events happened at the Custer Battlefield under Luce's leadership:
1941- Horse Cemetery-while laying a new drain pipe on Custer Ridge workers uncovered a number of horse bones, part of the battle debris buried long ago by cleanup details from Fort Custer.
1943- Nye-Cartwright Ridge discovery
1947- Robert Utley hired as seasonal guide.
1949- Custer Battlefield handbook written by Luce and Evelyn published and sold for 15 cents. (right)
1949 Edgar J. Stewart served as seasonal interpreter. Dr. Stewart would later write Custer's Luck, considered by many scholars as one of the more comprehensive studies of the battle.
1951- The 75th Anniversary of the battle. The last surviving Sioux warrior from the battle, Dewey Beard (Iron Hail), attended the event. Jacob Horner, the last surviving 7th Cavalryman of 1876, was expected to attend but ill health forced him to cancel.
1952- New visitor center opens on June 25.
1954- Battle Ridge road paved
1955 - Don Rickey, Jr., becomes area historian. Author of History of Custer Battlefield.
1958- Wooden marker placed on the battlefield indicating where Lame White Man was killed.
Author- "Keogh, Comanche and Custer," 1939
Author-"Custer Battlefield National Monument," handbook(shown) 1949.
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