Here is the story of the 10th Mountain Division, the only U.S. troops specially trained for mountain warfare. Vivid personal accounts, including a foreword by 10th veteran Sen. Bob Dole, and an outstanding collection of rare photos breathe life into the memories and pay tribute to the heroes who fought and died in World War II

Before entering the war in January 1945, the 10th Mountain Division was training troops at Seneca Rocks in West Virginia in aid climbing, hand signals and use of muffled piton hammers. They likely had first ascents on many of classic climbing routes, although very few were recorded. During their stay the army hammered over 75,000 pitons into cliffs of Seneca Rocks and nearby Champe Rocks and Nelson Rocks, many of them still remaining.

The 10th fought in the mountains of Italy in some of the roughest terrain in the country. After the war, the division was briefly redesignated as the 10th Infantry Division, a training unit, also seeing brief deployment to Germany before inactivation.

About the Author
Flint Whitlock is the son of a 10th Mountain Division veteran. Whitlock served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam before pursuing a career in the advertising field. He is a writer and artist living in Denver, Colorado.

Other: Senator Bob Dole