By Diane Henderson, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Retired
The 10th Mountain Division was a highly specialized Army Division that fought in Italy during World War II. The Division started out as an experiment to train skiers and climbers to fight in the most difficult, mountainous terrain in Europe. This division of light infantry men on skis is one of the many who will be honored at the 21st City of Aurora Veterans Salute on November 4, 2015 at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum.
Hugh Evans
In July 1943, at the age of 18, Hugh Evans enlisted in the United States Army in San Francisco, California Because of the “serious situation with Japan and Germany and out of patriotism,” according to Evans. He joined the army to serve in the 10th Mountain Division. He trained for over a year at Camp Hale, near Pando, Colorado. Training included skiing, snow-shoeing, rock climbing and winter survival in altitudes up to 13,500 feet,in 5 to 6 feet of snow and in temperatures 20 degrees below zero at night. He later trained at Camp Swift, Texas prior to being deployed to Italy in January 1945. Major campaigns in which he fought include Italian battles like the capture of Riva Ridge on 18 February 1945 and the capture of Mount Belvedere which was the highest peak in the Apennines Mountains of Italy; upon which the Germans had fought off the U. S. Army for over six months.
He received the Silver Star for gallantry by taking out two machine gun nests on Mt. Gorgeolesco at the young age of 19. He was wounded in April 1945 only to rejoin the Division three months later. With the surrender of Germany May 8, 1945, he returned to the United States with the Division.
Technical Sergeant Hugh Evans was discharged from the Army in November 1945 and attended the Colorado School of Mines on the GI Bill. As a mining engineer, and with his wife and four children, he worked all over the United States and the World. Now residing in Boulder, at the age of 91, he is enjoying retirement and his large extended family.
The terrain of the Apennine Mountains in Italy was well suited for the specialized and unique skills of the 10th Mountain Division. While conducting one of the fastest advances through enemy territory of any other division in the war, it would suffer one of the highest rates of casualties in the war. The Division was deactivated on November 30, 1945.
Honoring all veterans is the ultimate goal of the event. This year’s focus is recognizing our World War II veterans. Come take this opportunity to honor these veterans during the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Call 303-739-7950 for more information and to register.