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Show The Park Record II Section B Thursday, March 9, 1995 O Page B5 10th Mountain Division celebrates 50th anniversary of battle 8 Utahns who fell in Italy honored with plaque at Park City Ski Area " . 1 , wwf mm 1 mm rnim f"" -tf iihit .numpni w i 1 .-a a 9 $ 3 ? e $ a f s $ 3 s 3 & a: :w H ft ?! Z fi srA a zA w r...i vi ' -rr ... - vv v j c- r-! ! ,ai .-.- V . '"-7 V sV M vM VJ Itf V 11 W w '"If? 'fff o o ii " vi if t -i!f 1 "7 i i - v. v .... ' photo courtesy of )im Powell Members of the 10th Mountain Division in Colorado prior to their deployment overseas. The division was responsible for one of the great Allied victories in World War II. by JIM POWELL , 'Record guest writer On Sunday, Feb. 19, a group of veterans had a reunion at the home of Tommy Mathews in Deer Valley. They celebrated a night . assault 50 years ago with fixed bayonets and hand grenades. This action was led by the 1st Battalion of the 85th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division taking and holding Monte Gorgolesco, and the 3rd Battalion taking and -holding Monte Belvedere in the .'Apennine Mountains in the Italian Campaign of World War II. These peaks were the key to the v German defense of the Po Valley. The Allied forces had to own this . real estate to enter the valley and drive the German army out of Italy. Belvedere had been taken ( before, but never held, as overlooking over-looking Riva Ridge provided perfect per-fect observation for well emplaced artillery covering the mountains. The 10th had trained for almost three years in the mountains of Colorado for this very day 50 years ago. Rock climbing experts from the 86th Regiment climbed . the face of Riva Ridge, thought to , .' pe ,. unclimbable by the German,', defenders. Our rock climbers reached the top of the ridge with such numbers and such stealth that the surprised Germans gave up without a shot, hardly like the reputation repu-tation of the Wehrmacht Mountain Troops. This complete com-plete capitulation capitula-tion was followed fol-lowed by several sev-eral days of bloody battle in snow covered cov-ered mountains moun-tains of the main German line of defense before the 10th was able to break through into the Po Valley and chase the Germans in a complete rout 120 miles across the valley into their final stronghold in the Alps. 10th Mountain Division la Mtmoiy of tht Mm from Utah Who ma KUkJ Hi Italy, HanyMdmt Pria ttWtoilt, Salt Idt City Mteityng MLtkCitf OmmMtDmiStlltiiiCitf VMlnimA. SnllLdiatf jmsK tain. Ogln Division Tdd $u KiM, 4154 WcuhU A sketch of the plaque, honoring 10th Mountain soldiers from Utah who were killed in Italy during World War II, that is to be placed at the Park City Ski Area. The training had paid off, and our division was in place to accept surrenders of major enemy units, thus ending end-ing the war in Italy. Those at the reunion had a good time Sunday recalling the bad times, the good times, eating Italian pasta, . singing risque mountain songs and remembering our fallen buddies. A black granite plaque engraved with the names of the eight Utahns killed in Italy: James A Barker, John Paul Jones, Vearl D. Broderick, Howard J. Burdett, Thomas W. Larsen, Orval R. McDaniel, William S. Ryberg and Harry Malonas was exhibited. This plaque will be mounted at the Resort Center and dedicated on Memorial Day. Dick Nebeker, A Company, 85th, recalled not only the operations opera-tions of his unit that day, but presented pre-sented a picture of the combined actions along the entire Italian front. It graphically showed what the 10th had accomplished. The next day, a few of the 10th Mountain Division veterans who are still skiing gathered together at the top of the 10th Mountain Run accessed by the Pioneer Lift at the Park City Ski Area. Father Bob North of St. Luke's Episcopal Church gave an inspiring inspir-ing dedication prayer, reminding all of the wonders that we are able to appreciate in this mountain setting set-ting and to remember those who gave their lives in a similar mountain moun-tain setting far away those 50 years ago. Then those in attendance peeled off and played follow the leader down the mountain, wearing wear-ing high tech boots and skis, the likes of which they never dreamed of 50 years ago. Editor's note: Park City resident Jim Powell was a member of B Company, 85th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. . ; , - V I photo by Frank Mjaatveot Some of the 10th Mountain troopers who gathered at the Mathews' home in Deer Valley recently for the 50th reunion. Back row, left to right: Frank Chuk, Dick Nebeker, Jack Wright, Jim Powell. Front row, left to right: Frank Devaney, Leif Syversen. ( Leonn HmsselD March 17 & 18 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20.00 For Show Times Tickets call King Kong Video locally at 649-7222 or Smith Tix at 1 -800-8499 or 1-801-647-5996 (all tickets are for reserved seating) Location: The Inn at Prospector Square 2200 Sidewinder Dr. Park City, Utah LD UZci Us; During a career spanning almost 30 years, 1 995 finds Leon playing live shows around the world and finishing his first recording in a decade, "Anything Can Happen." An accomplished writerarrangersession player he continues to have remarkable success. Ray Charles won a Grammy for Best Male RcxB Performance with his version of Russell's "Song For You." He has perfected the role of musical catalyst, working with (and spurring on) contemporaries such as Phil Spector, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and ...many more. |
