Our Fathers

Private Bennett, Sydney W.
10th Mountain Division,
87th Mountain Infantry, Mongiorgio, Italy
Killed in Action 19 April, 1945 near Mongiorgio, Italy
My father, Sydney Worthington Bennett, was funny. He made you laugh when he walked into the room. He would say dumb things like, "Gee, it would be cold if it wasn't so darn hot!" For some reason it made us laugh. Especially in Bakersfield, California, where it was 120 degrees in the shade!

I loved my father. He was sunshine, and I always waited for him to come home.

We lived with my father's mother in an old house on the East side of Bakersfield. His father was killed by a horse in a lightning storm in New Mexico when my dad was just thirteen. My grandmother, who was a dentist, worked to support them. When he could, he dropped out of high school to go to work and help her out.

Then he married my mom and they had my brother Sydney and me. The war loomed in the background of our lives from the beginning of my earliest memories. We feared the draft. At first, my dad was exempt because he had a dependent widowed mother, a wife and two children. But the awful day came when they reclassified him from 3A to 1A, and within days he had to report for a physical. My grandmother wrote a letter to the draft board pleading that he not be taken -- but to no avail.

He went. Was he a hero? I don't know. He didn't want to go, mainly because he had a strong feeling that he would be killed. He told everyone he wasn't coming back. He came home once on leave, and my mother got pregnant with my brother Tom. He stopped on the way East and asked an uncle in Indiana to watch out for us kids. He had spent hours saying goodbye to his mother, and he prayed with her on his knees, agreeing, finally, to be saved. He asked my brother to watch out for me and my mom, he told me to be good, and then he left in the dark of early morning.

He never came back, and I will always wish he had. It took me a lifetime to learn that when people die they are truly gone forever. I always thought that they were just across the sea, or over the mountain, just out of sight.

Sydney Bennett spent the winter of '44 in a replacement depot in Italy. Spring of '45 came, and they began an offensive, driving the Germans out of the mountains north of Florence. He was brought up to the front by night as a replacement for the 10th Mountain Division, 87th Mountain Infantry.

He was a machine gunner, probably because he was such a good shot. In fact, he used to sit on the back porch and shoot rabbits with a single shot .22 Winchester. He was with the 87th for just three days when they entered the small village of Mongiorgio. He was the first one across a clearing and was shot by a sniper in the neck, dying instantly. The men who were with him never had a chance to know him, but one of them found his pipe on the ground near where he fell, and stuck it in his pocket. I have that pipe, thanks to the soldier. I also have the Winchester he used to shoot off the back porch, his razor, and a cheap ring that says "Firenze" on it, that he bought in Florence.

I am one of the lucky ones who have a few memories of their Dad. He is buried in Florence, Italy.

-- Ann Bennett Mix --

Bradley Jr., William 86/?

My dad was from Frederickstown, PA. His nickname was "Buck". He was on his way to be a pro-baseball player [a pitcher] when he enlisted. He served in Italy as the cook for the enlisted men. He told stories of how he was known for "special" meals, such as, green pancakes on St. Patrick's day and such. The officers attempted to get him to leave the enlisted mess and cook for them, but my dad stayed with the "guys".

He received the bronze star for skiing with a wounded man over his shoulders to safety during one attack.

We could never get dad to talk about the war. He thought the passed was best left alone.

Dad was a quiet giant with a camel cigarette (non-filter) in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

Dad died in 1985. He will always be our hero.

Susan Guzzi

Chandler, O. William

My father, O. William Chandler ("Husky") was a 2nd lt. in the 87th regiment during the 2nd world war. He went to Italy and was part of the attack up Mt. Belvedere on February 20th, 1945. (His 32nd birthday!) He and his unit captured 32 Germans --after an intense battle that was fought by his unit. He often recalled how well his men fought in that campaign---and his fondest memories are of the days he and his troops went to Italy to fight for our country.

Husky Chandler died in February of 1998 after a battle with cancer. It was one of the few battles he ever lost. He passed away in Kailua, Hawaii (his home for the previous 10 years) Lt. Oscar William Chandler was awarded the silver star in 1945 for his contributions.
Dad was very proud of all the men in the Tenth Mt. Division--and wanted to let his friends know how special they were to him. Bob Dole was one of his favorites---along with Torger Tokle--the Norwegian ski instructor.

We would certainly like to hear from any members of the 87th that knew my father--or any of the family.

Sincerely,

William Chandler
Box 1900
Kailua, Hawaii 96734
e-mail: chandler4kailua@aol.com

Clucas, Donald L.

My dad, Donald L. Clucas, served as a Pfc with H Company 87th Regiment. He was a machine gunner – Browning .30 water cooled. Like so many young men of his era this was not his first hitch in the Army. However it was his proudest. He volunteered and served with the 24th Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in the late 30’s. Following the draft and basic training at Camp Roberts, California he was sent off to Camp Hale for advanced training with the “mountain troops.” He used to ponder how he ever ended up in such a unique outfit. He joked that someone must have noticed that he was originally from Idaho, there are mountains in Idaho, and figured it was a natural match.

Dad was never given to self-centered “war stories.” He preferred to talk about his fellow soldiers and the mules. He sure had a soft spot in his heart for those mules. What he did tell us was done with his usual honesty and humbleness. His narration about Camp Hale, Camp Swift, the USS West Point, arriving in Naples and onward to the Po are proudly etched in my memory forever. Respectfully for him and his comrades those events are and were etched in their memories too – in a way few others will ever understand not having endured what they did and accomplish what they did.

Dad is gone now with Taps in ’87. He helped win the war but he couldn’t beat cancer. He insisted that his veteran’s grave marker indicate he served in the 10th. Fortunately he was able to keep abreast of events up to the end through “The Blizzard.” One of the events he followed and held dear was the reactivation of the 10th.

Thanks Dad and all the rest of the 10th.

Condo, Richard H.

Richard H. Condo was the son of Ruth Hagaman and Albert C. Condo, Sr. (veteran of WWI) and was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey on July 6, 1925. He was the brother of Albert C. Condo, Jr. Richard (Dick) was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and attended the Ridgewood Methodist Church. He attended the Ridgewood High
School where he played on the varsity football and baseball teams and enlisted into the Army immediately graduation and joined the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, CO. In January, 1945 he was shipped to Italy and fought on Monte Spicolino, Belvedere, Georgiolesco, Della Torreccia and Della Spe. On April 14, 1945, Pfc. Richard H. Condo was mortally wounded in battle in the morning on Hill 909 after coming down from Della Spe to cross the line of defense. He was initially buried in the cemetery at near Florence and was shipped to the USA at the request of his mother and father in 1947. He is buried next to his father, Cpl. Albert C. Condo, Sr. (WWI) sand his mother at the George Washington Memorial Cemetery in Paramus, NJ. Dick's brother, Albert C. Condo (Jr.), is a veteran of the Army Air Corps and is an associate member of the 10th Mountain Division Association.

Nathaniel R. Condo

Sgt. Cooke, Kenyon K. 85/C, 2/26/24-3/22/96
Cpl. Cooke, Bruce B. 85/D, 8/22/19-3/4/87

Brothers Kenyon K. and Bruce B. Cooke had enjoyed mountaineering and climbing in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, and it was this experience that led them to the 10th Mountain Division.

Kenyon joined first, after completing a semester as a geology major at U.C. Berkeley. Bruce followed, after securing permission to leave his job as a blacksmith at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. They trained at Camp Hale and Camp Swift. Kenyon completed ice climbing school at Mt. Rainier. When they shipped out on the USS West Point in January, 1945 headed for combat, Kenyon left behind his bride, Audrey, and their unborn child.

With their respective units, Kenyon and Bruce were soon engaged in the successful battle to take Mt. Belvedere. This was followed by an intensely fierce and exhausting fight for Mt. della Spe. Then it was on through the North Apennines and the Po Valley.   The end of the struggle came with the German surrender on May 2, 1945.
From the battlefield, Kenyon had written a poem for his bride titled “Night on della Spe.” In it, he wrote of the horrors of war and his dreams of home and future:

(that the sounds of mortar and gunfire)...
“Would cease forever and we all would know
The joy of living, free from fear
Not having to listen - for what would we hear?
A woman laughing, a baby cry!”

Kenyon and Bruce were among those fortunate who returned home on the Marine Fox in August, 1945 to fulfill those dreams and tell the remarkable tale of the 10th. Mountain Division.

Upon his return home, Kenyon wrote of his experiences while they were still fresh in his mind. This account has been published as Chapter 4 in Good Times, Bad Times, and many of the pictures he took appear throughout the book. While in Italy, Bruce wrote a letter to their parents describing his experiences. This letter is also contained in the book.

Bruce was awarded the Bronze Star for his attempts to save the life of a fellow soldier. When he came home, he returned to work at Mare Island and Hunters Point Naval shipyards. Bruce was a blacksmith, philosopher, sharp-shooter, poet, and cyclist, but his passion was climbing. A world-class climber, he completed over 750 climbs between 1941 and 1982, mostly in the Sierras. Several of his climbs were first ascents, and many were solo. But he also enjoyed climbing with Kenyon, Kenyon's children, and his many friends. This tough guy with a heart of gold opened the world of mountains to his family; their majesty and beauty surpassed only by his courage and wisdom. While he had no children of his own, he was a beloved inspiration to Kenyon and Audrey, and all of his nieces and nephews.

Kenyon returned home to his wife Audrey, and three month old Kathleen. As time passed, the family grew to include Laura, Cecile, Janice, Kenyon, Karen, Virginia, Michael, Marjorie, Joseph, Marianne, and Rosalie. A baby cry, indeed! Our father took us camping and backpacking. He taught us to climb and fish. He made us laugh and took us to see "where this road goes". A man of impeccable character, by his example he taught us the meaning of integrity, honesty, tolerance, loyalty, love, and the value of family, home, and work. He instilled in us a deep appreciation of the values and principles for which he and Bruce, and their fellow soldiers had sacrificed so much. Retired Senior Pilot Plant Operator for Shell Development, Kenyon was married to his sweetheart Audrey for 52 years. Together they raised 12 good people, and had 26 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Kenyon and Bruce told us their stories, took us on adventures, and opened our hearts and minds to the wonders they knew. They gave us themselves, gave us our world. We are very grateful and proud that Kenyon was our father, and Bruce was our uncle.

ps. In the summer of 2000, Kenyon's grandson, Gregory, and his wife Debbie, made a pilgrimage of sorts to Italy, retracing the path these men had taken 55 years ago. His account can be found at http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/ganderson/Italy/grandpa.html

The Cooke Family
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Dow, Ivan Sanford 87/L

My father, Ivan S. Dow, made his transition on June 6, 2000 at the age of 77. Dad often spoke of the 10th Mountain Division. He was a truck driver and over the years never lost his love for Colorado and the mountains. A few years back he was able to make it to one of the reunions and it was one of the highlights of his golden years. His niece, Jennifer Fessler showed the greatest interest in his military life and was given most of his mementos. She and dad would talk for hours about his experiences. Thank you for continuing the memories of our beloved fathers.
Annette Marie Dow Mundell

I just found this web site yesterday, and think its a great idea. Want to inform anyone who might have known my father (Ivan Sanford Dow) that he passed away on June 6th. The family had planned, and did have a reunion the week of the 4th of July. During the week we had a memorial service. A significant part of the memories everyone had of dad was of how proud he was to be a member of the 10th Mountain Division.
Dad was assigned to the: 87th Regiment, Company L , 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squad.

Edelen, Francis Clifford 87/HQ

Hello,
I would like to find out my dad's service record in the 10th Mtn. Div. My father lied about his age and joined the army when he was 16 yrs old. I don't know where all he went or where all he fought, but I know he was in Italy, and fought at places like Belvedere. He mentioned being in different regiments, etc., but he said his favorite was the 87th. He mentioned being in a Headquarters company, but I don't know which headquarters. He told me a few interesting experiences, but I don't know if y'all want me to go into it here. After the war, he reenlisted in the Army when Korea broke out. He was in II Infantry Div., and lost a leg in the big retreat from the Yalu valley. I would love to know what all he did in WWII, and especially meet anyone who knew him.
Thanks,
Dave cedelen@bellsouth.net

Hames, Eugene S.

My father, Eugene S. Hames was born and raised in Western Montana. He graduated from Missoula County High school in 1937 and worked as a lumber jack for several years. March 1,1943 he enlisted in the ski troops. and reported for duty at Camp Hale, Colorado. Initially he was assigned to E Company 86th regiment but after attending NCO school he was transferred to Headquarters company 2nd Bn 86th regiment. He became the 1st Sgt. of that company although he had only been in the army 13 months. (Photograph above is of 1st Sgt. Hames) His rapid promotion was due to the formation of a new division during war time and the acute need for NCO=s.

In July of 1944 the 10th Mountain Division was transferred to Camp Swift, Texas. About two weeks after arriving at Camp Swift my father left the division and attended OCS in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. on November 16, 1944 and returned to the division at Camp Swift. He was then assigned as platoon leader of the 1st platoon of Company K, 85th Regiment. He remained in that position throughout the Italian campaign.

The division was sent overseas in late December1944 and participated in the Italian campaign. My father=s platoon was involved in the assault on Mt. Belvedere in the Apennines and also in the heavy fighting near Castel D=Aiano and Hill 913 on April 14 & 15, 1945. This was the last big push to drive the Germans out of Northern Italy. The fighting on those two days was very costly as the platoon strength was reduced from 41 men to 12-in effect the platoon had one squad left out of three.

After the division reached the Po Valley, the platoon was sent to clear out some resistance south of the Po river. After a brief fire fight, two Germans were killed, a number were wounded and the platoon took 360 prisoners. First platoon suffered no casualties that day.

As the division moved north elements reached Lake Garda and the division route was on the east side of the lake. K Company was ordered to cross the Lake at night and the 1st platoon was assigned to capture the villa where Mussolini had been living since Italy had surrendered. Not a shot was fired as the troops crossed Lake Garda as the Germans had withdrawn from the village of Gargnano. The 1st platoon occupied the villa and remained there for almost a week and enjoyed sleeping in the bedrooms, particularly the one that appeared to be Mussolini=s. Lake Garda was crossed on April 30,1945 and the war in Italy ended two days later on May 2, 1945.

My father was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the WWII European Theater of Operations Ribbon with three Battle Stars.

Following his discharge from active duty in April 1946 my father attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill. While at the University he married Verna J. Raisen, a nurse he met at Camp Carson, Colorado, upon his return from Italy. After receiving his law degree in 1950 he moved to Denver and was one of the founders of Wood, Ris and Hames, a law firm that specializes in civil jury trial practice. For a number of years he was a member of the board of directors of Arapahoe Basin ski area. He was also a charter member of the Ski Defense Lawyers Association. He retired in 1990 and devotes a substantial amount of his time to skiing and fishing. This year (2001) he reached his goal of skiing until he was 80 years old. During the past 20 years he has been very active in the 10th Mountain Division Foundation Inc. serving on its board of directors. At present he serves as President of the 10th Mountain Division Foundation, Inc.

Thomas E. Hames

Hickey, James W. D/85

Served in the 10th from startup in Camp Hale to disbanding at Camp Carson. He started in C/85 then transferred to D/85 when it formed at Camp Swift. A first gunner in the mortar platoon of D/85, their platoon played an important role at Mt Belvedere and many other battles. James has 4 children, 5 grand children. His son made this web page.

Hunter, Robert A.

My dad will be 82 this summer. He's a member of your group and has attended many reunions and trips to Europe. My brothers are members of the descendents' group and accompany him and my mom to some of the regional meetings. My dad doesn't talk much about his active duty except to tell us as kids that he "never fired a shot in anger." He wouldn't tell us if he ever had to kill anyone (kids ask questions like that!). He described having watched a battle at the Po River between the Germans and the US . He was high above on a cliff overlooking the river. I think he felt his mortality as a very young soldier. He described having gone off by himself during training in Colorado and almost bumping into an elk. As he drew his rifle, he realized he could never drag the animal down the mountain and the cook wouldn't cook it, so he left the animal to bound off into the brush. Dad later went on to serve during the Korean War, oops, Conflict in Sasebo, Japan. He's one heck of a guy!!

SFC. Jackson, Peter F. “Bud”

126th Mtn Engineer Battalion, 10th Mtn Div.
Participated in the North Apennine and Po Valley Campaigns.

Post WWII, Bud Served tours of duty at Ft. Carson, CO, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Ft. Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone, Eglin Field, FL, Yuma, AZ, and Camp Roberts, CA. Bud served with the 84th Construction Engineer Battalion in Korea during the Korean War, where he received the Bronze Star for his actions in constructing 3 vital bridges across the Imjin River. He later served in Granite City, IL, Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK, Hanau, Germany, and finally, retired from Ft. Riley, KS in 1963 as a CWO-3.

One of 11 children, Bud was raised on a farm near Drexel, MO, about 30 miles south of Kansas City. He and his family farmed with mules during his childhood, so working with them in the 10th Mountain Div came pretty naturally. He always laughed as he fondly remembered having spent many a day training in and around Camp Hale “leading one mule and looking one in the ass”. Although Bud spent a career with several different units, he never hesitated to assert that the 10th Mountain Division was the best trained, finest group of fighting men he’d ever had the honor of serving with. He always enjoyed the opportunities to attend the annual reunions.

After retiring from the military in 1963, Pete began a second career with the State of Kansas Department of Highway Maintenance, and retired as a Regional Superintendent in Fort Scott, Kansas. He and his wife, Geraldine, who were married in October, 1943, continued to reside in Fort Scott until Bud passed away on 20 Feb 1998. He was laid to rest alongside his son Wayne, who preceded him in death, at Fort Scott National Cemetery. His wife Geraldine continues to reside in Fort Scott. Bud is also survived by his other children: Kathleen, Patrick, Michael, Kevin, and Robert.

Jackson, Richard LT.

Wanted to send you a picture, I've had of my dad LT. Richard Jackson on a
mountaintop with a buddy. He is on the left. I do not know the location,
but I'm sure its Colorado.

Mac Jackson Skifarmer@aol.com

Lewis, Morton

My dad was assigned to Headquarters as a Military Policeman. He joined the division at Camp Hale then went on to camp Swift with the division.
He was in combat in Italy where he receive a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Combat. I am in possession of the Bronze star and the associated papers that came with it. I also have some photo's from Camp Hale, and Italy. I have an original small booklet given out in Camp Hale with some tips for new soldiers with a Panda Insignia. According to my dad this was going to be the original 10th Insignia but it was overruled by a General for the Crossed Bayonet's and powder Keg. I could not part with these items because to me as a descendant its a treasure. I would consider scanning should you guy's have an interest. My dad still lives an active life at 80 today.

Regards

Ken Lewis

McAllister, Edward B. - 2nd Lt. Mtn. Inf. (86-M)

It is with great pride that we honor our father, Edward McAllister, for his service to his country during WWII. Dad served as an infantry unit commander during the victorious final offensive of the Po Valley Campaign in the spring of 1945.

Dad was born at home on November 28, 1925 to Basil and Sarah McAllister in Riverdale, MD, near Washington, DC. Soon after, the family moved into the city where dad's father, a gregarious and popular Captain in the Metropolitan Police Department, taught his only son the virtue of personal responsibility at an early age, inspiring him to manage a successful paper route. With spiritual guidance from his devout Catholic mother, the loving support of his two older sisters, Margie and Betty, and the devotion of their much younger sister, Rita, dad graduated from Gonzaga College high school for boys with high grades. He immediately enlisted in the army on July 23, 1943.

Even though he was barely eighteen years old, dad's self-direction did not go unnoticed by the recruitment officers. He was selected to attend Virginia Military Institute and Carnegie Tech under the ASTP program. He was then assigned to the Field Artillery at Fort Bragg, NC, then on to Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, GA where he graduated as 2nd Lt. on December 6, 1944 - one week after his nineteenth birthday.

On April 1, 1945 the USS West Point, laden with replacement troops, set sail for Naples, Italy. From the Caserta Replacement Depot about fifteen to twenty 1st and 2nd Lts., my father among them, flew to Florence. From Florence a few of them, including my father, were assigned in mid April to serve with the 10th Mountain Division's 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment as infantry unit commanders. The men made their way up into the hills where they joined the final offensive of the war in the Po Valley. After the victorious Po Valley Campaign, they crossed the Po River and became part of Task Force Darby, led by Asst. Div. Cmdr.William O. Darby of the famous "Darby's Rangers". They spearheaded the drive to Lake Garda in the final battle of the war in the area near the Swiss-Austrian border. Enroute to the Austrian border they accepted the surrender of the German SS troops at Trento. From there they advanced to the Brenner Pass and thereafter to the province of Udine and the city of Trieste. In early May, unable to proceed with his men after contracting pneumonia in the Tyrolean Alps, dad spent nearly two months recuperating in a hospital at nearby Livorgno. He eventually rejoined his division in early July and returned to Florence whereupon he shipped back to the United States in August with prospective duty for the invasion of Japan. But, in one of history's most dramatic events, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki while dad was at sea, so he was most fortunate to spend V-J Day with his family at home in Washington, DC.

Like many other vets dad took advantage of the GI bill and graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Maryland. Dad also met his wife, Tania, in college and after fifty three years of marriage dad and mom are as much in love as the days they courted on the campus at UM. After buying a home and starting our family in Kensington, MD, dad established his own accounting firm with a partner in 1964. They are still in business to this day, albeit with more employees, and the first secretary they hired in 1964 is still with them - further testament to the kind of managerial and leadership qualities that dad exemplified during his service to America. As his direct descendents, Tessa McAllister and Lisa McAllister, and his grand-daughter, Alexandra McAllister, we salute our very own 10th veteran!

McDonald, James R. 85/?

My dad was always very proud of his time with the 10th Mountain, although he was not among the troops commissioned to Italy. Dad died a few years ago and I recently found a picture of him with his buddies at Camp Hale in 1944. Through research with the Denver Public Library, I was able to find out that he was in the 85th Regiment, Company 1 (fortunately I knew Dad's serial number). He was stationed at both Camp Hale and Camp Swift. Previous to that he was among the first infantry troops into Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. Dad's time in the army was probably one of the most meaningful experiences of his life; he had also been a part of the famous 69th Regiment in New York. He talked very humbly about how he, as a New Yorker who had never seen skis before, was among those training on Cooper Hill at the Continental Divide. This meant nothing to me until a few years ago, my husband and I visited the Camp and realized how hostile an environment that could be during a frigid winter. I had a new appreciation of my Dad's experience and would like his memory honored in some small way.

Janet Harrison

Pfc. Morrison, Ted G. I/87

My Dad, Pfc. Ted G. Morrison passed away in 1998. He served in I-87 and as I understand, at sometime was transferred to C-Company (in Italy) later. But his ID badge that he wore at reunions and functions said I-87....Dad didn't talk to much about about the war. My brothers and I are now learning more about what happened during his time at Camp Hale, Kiska and Italy. I didn't even know he received a Bronze Star until about a year before he died! Just a year or so before his death He put together his campaign ribbons, medals and uniform insignia in a frame and mounted it on his wall where he lived (Hanksville UT). I looked at what was there and noticed the Bronze Star. Knowing how modest and quiet he was about his time in the Army, I waited until we were alone and ask him...So what dose it take to get a Bronze Star? He said, "Oh ya gota peel a lot of potatoes" ,then after that all he would say is that "a lot of the men in his unit received them". I know he attended many of the memorial services on Tennessee Pass, and attended a lot of the functions with the Utah chapter. For his funeral, our family had made a 10th Mountain insignia made from silk flowers and later gave it to the Utah chapter to use at their functions. I've heard that the veterans of the 10th in Utah will march in the ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake. I hope that the veterans and their families record soon, anything they can about this very important time in our nations history.

Larry Morrison, December 2, 2000

"The Mystery Of The Bronze Star"
A Memoir Of My Father

         In their living, my father and my uncle showed me what it takes to win the Bronze Star.
         You play the hand that life gives you. You look it straight in the eye. You do what you understand that life asks of you. You don't spend time in regret. You don't boast and you don't make excuses. You take your losses and share your winnings. You open your heart to those people that life gives you and you accept them. You may be disappointed, angered, even betrayed by them, but you keep them as friends, respecting them, and always greeting them with kindness. After all, you have little control and you are lucky to be here at all. You are in charge of your own dignity.
        For us now, my father's generation begins that long, inevitable movement into memory. We will miss them forever. We will hold them with loving tenderness, just as they were, in our hearts and minds.
        Theirs is the last generation to give us traditional heroes. That gave us the gift of peace and freedom to live our lives in. We must earn our Bronze Stars in our daily lives. And they taught us how to do this, too.

Nancy K. Morrison, MD., C.S.B.

Pheil, Verne M.

Our dad, Verne M. Pheil, was born November 25, 1924, in Pennsylvania. He entered active duty April 5, 1943 with the 86th Mountain Infantry, Division 45, Unit 2, PFC, as a field lineman and rifleman in Italy. He was relieved of active duty November 23, 1945.
He and my mother, Marie Serravo, were married October 1945 in Denver, Colorado where they made their home. Dad passed away of cancer in January 1975. Mom became a world traveler until her death in August 2000. They left four daughters, Verna, Mary Jo, Deborah, Sherri, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Both mom and dad were active in the 10th Mountain Rocky Mountain chapter attending many local and national reunions. They especially enjoyed their trip to Italy with the 10th just prior to dad’s death. Dad’s 10th Mountain memorabilia was donated to the Colorado Historical Society.

Casamino Joseph Polizzi

32987554

PFC WWII

Company A 85th Infantry 10th Mountain Division

My father, Casamino Joseph Polizzi, was born in Borgetto, Palermo, Sicily on March 12, 1921. He came to the United States in June 24, 1929 when he was 8 years old and graduated from PS 76 in Manhattan in June 1937. He and his Mom and Dad became US citizens. He enlisted in the US Army July 20, 1943. He was a member of Company A, 85th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division as a ski trooper. He was severely wounded on February 20, 1945 during the engagement on Mt. Belvedere in Italy. He was hit by an enemy shell fragment striking him in the right flank. He lost his right kidney and it was assumed by the doctors that the shrapnel was lodged in his liver. After several surgeries and seven months of rehabilitation, he received an honorable discharge September 19, 1945. He also received the Purple Heart.

He met my Mom and they got married on October 5, 1948. They had five children between the years 1949 to 1958. My Dad spent much of the rest of his life in the VA Hospital on 23rd Street in Manhattan. He finally succumbed to uremic poisoning and died September 11, 1965. The doctors who treated him said it was a direct result of the wounds he received in battle on February 20, 1945.

My siblings and I are extremely proud of my Dad and the sacrifice he made for our country. He gave his life for our freedom.

Pfc. Elwood G. Sims
Co. K, 87th
At the age of twenty-six, with a wife and two children to support, my Dad was inducted into the Army at Fort Lewis in June 1944. He was sent to Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Arkansas, where he completed his basic training.
While at Camp Robinson, he was given the opportunity to join the 10th Mountain Division. He sent in his three letters of recommendation, was accepted, and assigned to Company K of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment.
Dad missed out on the earlier mountain training at Rainier and Camp Hale, but he was no stranger to winter environments. He was a ski-jumper, like his Norwegian-immigrant father, and grew up in the Idaho high country near the Canadian border.
In Italy, Dad was a forward scout. He received the Bronze Star for his actions near the town of Tole during the Spring Offensive in April 1945. Reading his Bronze Star commendation, one recognizes the seriousness of war, and the debt of gratitude we owe these veterans. We especially owe an immense debt of gratitude to those who did not make it home, and to their families for their sacrifice.
Dad was able to return home from his experience, to a normal life. Two more children were added to the family; he watched them and nine grandchildren grow up and now enjoys the company of four great-grandchildren. He retired after a long career as a letter carrier, to golf and work in his garden.

Walsh, Stan J.

My dad ( Stan J. Walsh ) joined the 10th in April 1944, After 19 weeks Basic training and horse shoeing school at Ft Riley Kansas in the Horse Cavalry, as a mule packer in the 257 Q M pack co. When the Div. was transferred to Camp Swift Texas. He was transferred to B co. 10th Mtn. med. BN. as a horse shoer. Then when the Div. was sent to Italy, He went over on the USS GEN. Miegs. Landed in Naples on about the 18th 0f Jan. 1945 as a combat medic. They moved up the coast to Livorno where they prepared for combat. After a short time his first engagement with the enemy was near Lucca. At that time his Co. was in support of the 86th Mtn Inf. Regt. On the 19th of Feb. elements of The 86th scaled Riva Ridge (about 1500 ft straight up) in the dark. His Squad was one of the first to evacuate a wounded soldier down the face of Riva Ridge before the Eng. erected their tramway. After the Ridge was secured, he then went to Della Torccricia, Where he was engaged in the worst fighting he encountered the whole war. At this time the 10th broke through the Gothic line, putting the enemy in full retreat. Pressing on at a rate that the enemy had no time to make a stand, they swept through the mountains and crossed the PO valley to Lake Garda so fast they had to wait for supplies to catch up. During this time frame He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism in ground combat. After fighting their way through a series of tunnels and going over the lake to Tarbole and Riva, the war in Italy came to a end.
He was then part of a task force from the 86th that was assigned to block a avenue of escape at the border of Switz., Aust. and Italy until the Div. was assigned to the prov. of Udine. to display a show of force to Gen. Tito of Yug.
After Udine the Div. assembled at Florence Italy for preparation. for deployment to the United States enroute to the war in the Pacific which ended before they could get there.
He was discharged in October 1945 with the Bronze star medal for valor, And numerous other citations.
He reenlisted in 1947 and was sent to Germany in the U S constabulary. After many other assignments, including 2 tours in Viet Nam, he suffered a heart attack in 1970 and was Medically discharged. At this time he is very much alive and would like to hear from anyone who might have served with him or remembers that time in history. e-mail him at mtwhiteeagle@yahoo.com.

Williams, Francis 87/B

Francis Williams was in the 10th as it was formed. Odd choice for a Nebraska sandhills cowboy. Went to Alaska, Hale, Texas. Training cadre for start up of the 85th, then back to the 87th and was a weapons squad Sgt. in "B" co in Italy. Came home, married, fathered 4 daughters and 1 son. Lived in Nebraska and Wyoming until death in 1993.

Wood, PhiI 85/G

Served in the 10th from startup in Camp Hale to disbanding at Camp Carson. For about a year and a half I was in G company of the 85th. I then transferred to the 10th Mt. Medical Battalion. I was with the medical battalion throughout Italy. My web site pertains more to my present position as the elected Tulsa City Auditor than to the 10th. http://www.webzone.net/philwood