History Chat: The Boys of the 10th Mountain Division

Ski Troops in Italy

Join us for a fascinating presentation by Phil Lauricella of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Group, Midwest Chapter. Told through stories and photographs, Phil will discuss the accomplishments of the 10th Mountain Division both in war and peace of the 1940s. An examination of the 10th Mountain Division helps us recognize how these young heroes faced the risks of war and tyranny, lessons of immense value still today.

The young soldiers had an affinity for the mountains, and were thus imbued with special qualities of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. Each volunteered to place himself in harm’s way as a member of the 10th Mountain Division. In the Italian Alps, our “American Ski Troops” battled an evil of such dimensions that it could not be allowed to continue. After World War II, many heroes returned to their ski troop training grounds of Colorado and Camp Hale where they developed Colorado’s ski and outdoor industries. This is their story, of the years of danger and self-sacrifice, and their link to Colorado.