10th Mountain Division – Campaigns & Decorations -

I must say that I am going to enjoy writing all about the 10^th Mountain Division. The 10^th is a light infantry division that continues to defend our great country.

I am going to take you through the various campaigns the 10^th Mountain Division has participated in and the decorations they have received.

Now there was a 10^th Division organized in 1918 but never deployed to World War I. That division demobilized and was redesignated the Panana Canal Division and has no relation to the 10^th Mountain Division.

It was the Founder and President of the National Ski Patrol, Charles “Minnie” Dole who convinced the War Department and General George Marshall that the U.S. Army needed a division which could fight in harsh conditions.

Seeing that other countries had successfully created similar units, the War Department agreed and the first Mountain unit was activated the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. That was the 87^th Infantry Regiment which would become a part of the 10^th Mountain Division.

The 10^th was formed in July of 1943 and the Commander was Brigadier General Lloyd Jones.

World War II

The 10^th Mountain Division faced several challenges immediately. The numbers were low so troops were transferred from other divisions and made morale low because of the inferior training the transferred soldiers had.

In 1945, the division was deployed to Italy. Their first task was in conjunction with the 1^st Brazilian Infantry Division and Operation Encore where they were tasked with clearing enemy artillery from the Northern Apennines.

Fighting was fierce through these mountains, but the 10^th performed above par.

They fought all the way to the outskirts of Bologna and defended their position for 3 weeks assuming the Axis would counter.

They continued moving forward and swept the high and low grounds of Italy.

Moving into Austria, the 10^th Mountain Division took many prisoners.

The 10^th Mountain Division proved their abilities. They were scheduled to be sent to invade Japan, but that was canceled after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

WW II Decorations

The 10^th Mountain Division was given 2 campaign streamers for the Northern Appenines and Po Valley.

1 Medal of Honor was given posthumously to a 10^th soldier… That was to PFC John McGrath. There were also 3 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal and various others awards given to members of the 10^th Mountain Division.

Korean War

In 1948, the 10^th was reactivated and served as a training division at Fort Riley, Kansas. They trained over 120,000 new soldiers by 1953.

The division was never deployed to Korea.

In 1954, the 10^th was deployed to Germany as a NATO defensive force.

It was again inactivated in 1958.

The Middle East & More

In 1985, the 10^th Mountain Division was reactivated at Fort Drum, New York. The Army knew they could be a rapid deployment division and trained as such.

Desert Storm

The 10^th deployed approximately 1,200 soldiers to Operation Desert Storm with the majority with the 548^th Supply Battalion who supported the 24^th Infantry Division.

Hurricane Andrew

Andrew caused destruction and chaos in Florida.

The 10^th Mountain Division became Task Force Mountain and set up shelters, passed out food and water, clothing and medical supplies.

Somalia

Not long after Hurricane Andrew, the Army engaged in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The 10^th Mountain Division provided similar services to Somali natives as they had in Florida.

During the Battle of Mogadishu, the 10^th provided infantry and 2 soldiers were killed in that battle.

Haiti

To keep a democracy in Haiti, the 10^th Mountain Division was a primary division in a multinational task force who occupied the Port au Prince airport and ensured democratic elections and stability in the region.

Bosnia

In 1998, the 10^th served as Headquarters Task Force Eagle as a peacekeeping force in Bosnia. Around 3,000 soldiers from the 10^th deployed. In 2000, the duties were transferred to 49^th Armored Division.

Afghanistan and Iraq

The 10^th Mountain Division has been an integral part of the seemingly never ending war and conflict in these 2 countries.

I am just going to list various operations the 10^th has been involved in in these 2 countries:

Operation Enduring Freedom – 2001
Operation Anaconda – 2002
The Battle of Qala-i-Jangi
Operation Avalanche
Operation Mountain Resolve
Operation Mountain Viper

The 10^th was also the first to have K9 services with bomb sniffing dogs.

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Back to Operation Enduring Freedom – 2006
Operation Phantom Phoenix
Resolute Support Mission
Operation Inherent Resolve

And most recently, the 10^th Mountain Division deployed for Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Campaign Streamers

I told you earlier about the campaign streamers during World War II. Other streamers include:

Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
4 for Operation Enduring Freedom
and 1 for Operation Iraqi Freedom

Decorations

Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation Restore Hope
Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation Uphold Democracy
Meritorious Unit Commendation for Central Asia
Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan 2003-2004
Meritorious Unit Commendation for Iraq
Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan 2014

2 other Medals of Honor:

Sergeant First Class Jared Monti
Major William Swenson

Conclusion

The 10^th Mountain Division has had some great soldiers and will continue to be a major division serving our country.

If you or someone you know served in the 10^th Mountain Division, please tell us more.

Thank you to all who have served or continue to serve.

Please leave your comments below.

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com

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10th Mountain Division – Campaigns & Decorations