Historic Homes of Denver: People Who Shaped Denver’s History - 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale

The 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale was developed out of the need for soldiers to be prepared for winter warfare prior to the US entry into World War II.  Soldiers that had been stationed at Fort Snelling in my hometown of Minneapolis were acclimated to the cold Minnesota winters, but they had no training in mountainous terrain.  The US government, at the urging of the American Alpine Club, began training troops of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale in the Eagle Valley of Colorado.  Primary training was in mountaineering, endurance, cross country skiing, down hill skiing, rock climbing and combat.  By 1943, Camp Hale had a full division of 14,000 troops creating the Mountain Training Center at Camp Hale which is in close proximity to Leadville, CO.

The National Ski Association in Colorado reviewed and assisted the US government in training.  The 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale became the alpine combat arm of the US military.  Over a dozen units comprised the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale.  
                                                                                                                                                
In January 1945, the division was deployed to the mountains of Italy.  Up to that time, US soldiers had failed in breaking through German lines in the Northern Italian Alps.  In February of 1945 troops scaled Riva Ridge, capturing the vital stronghold.  Additional victories were won by the 10th Mountain Division in March and April of that year.  On May 2, 1945 the Germans surrendered in the Po Valley.

During the Italian campaign, the 10th Mountain Division sustained heavy losses including 978 troops killed in action.  In September of 1945, the 10th Mountain Division reported to Camp Carson in Colorado as Camp Hale had already been deactivated.  In November of 1945, the 10th Mountain Division was also deactivated.

The 10th Mountain Division was re-activated in 1948 during the Korean War and became the became the 10th Infantry Division in June of 1954. The 10th Infantry Division was again deactivated in June of 1958.  In 1985, the 10th Infantry Division was reactivated, but this time as the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum, New York.

Today when you drive by the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale all that remains are building foundations, but Camp Hale remains an important part of our military history.