Near Leadville in Eagle County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

A History of the 10th Mountain Division

Combat: Po Valley Campaign

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

1. A History of the 10th Mountain Division Marker

Inscription.

A History of the 10th Mountain Division. Combat: Po Valley Campaign. , After its stunning success in breaking through the Germans' Apennine defenses, the 10th was selected to spearhead the U.S. Fifth Army's huge 1945 spring offensive northward into the Po Valley, where it suffered its heaviest casualties of the war. , Nonetheless, the 10th was unstoppable. It was the first American division to cross the wide Po River and advanced on to Lake Garda. Never losing a battle or an inch of ground, the 10th pushed the fleeing German army to the Alps until, on May 2, 1945, the German forces in Italy surrendered. , The price of victory was especially severe, however. A thousand 10th men were killed and over 4,000 were wounded. The names of the fallen are inscribed on the memorial behind you. Their sacrifices give stark meaning to the phrase, “Freedom isn't free.” , The document to your left provides an explicit summary of the 10th Mountain Division's outstanding achievements during its major combat operations of the Apennine and Po River campaigns in Northern Italy. This letter was written by Major General Hays in response to a number of inquiries by the Vice-President of the Quaker Oats Company who was inquiring what progress had been made by the Division throughout the Italian campaign. , , , , , , , , , . , [Transcription of summary letter by Major General George P. Hays], HEADQUARTERS 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION APO 345. U.S. ARMY, Dear Mr. Douglas: , Now that I have a few minutes to spare during the whirlwind life we have all been leading since our jump off a month ago, I want to write you more fully of the operations of this Division to date.... I thought you might like me to summarize what I consider to be the highlights of the operations of this Division, as follows. , I personally participated in the Battle of the Marne and Meuse Argonne offensive in the last war, in the Battle for Cassino with the 34th Infantry Division landing on Normandy on D plus 1 with the 2nd Infantry Division, the subsequent breakthrough in Normandy, the attack of the fortress of Brest and witnessed part of the fight in the Anzio beachhead. And as I have told my men, the battles of the 10th were as strongly contested and as bitter, and in many instances more intense than any I had experienced hitherto. , During our operations we were invariably opposed by the major elements of two or more German first-rate divisions. We completely destroyed the five divisions, marked by an asterisk, as effective combat units. The German divisions which opposed us in various phases of our operations were: 232nd Infantry Division, 114th Jaeger Division, 334th Infantry Division, 90th Panzer Division, 94th Infantry Division, 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, 8th Mountain Division, 65th Infantry Division, and 305th Infantry Division. With their supporting troops my one Division has been opposed at some time throughout the entire operations by approximately 100,000 German troops. , Lieutenant General von Senger who commanded the 14th Panzer Corps (emissary who I delivered to Fifth Army headquarters in regard to the surrender), congratulated me on having a very fine division, the best he had encountered on all fronts (Russia, Sicily and Italy). He stated that my division broke completely through two German Panzer Corps and forced himself personally, and his staff and many of his troops, to swim the Po River on the same day that we crossed in assault boats. , The Commanding General of the 90th Panzer Division, in a statement to his troops, said that in their surrender they had the consolation of surrendering to a very worthy opponent, the 10th Mountain Division. , This Division has encountered and overcome every type of natural obstacle as follows: innumerable rugged mountains of the Apennines and Alps, Po and Adige Rivers, canal region of Po Valley and Lake Garda, also every type of artificial obstacle, to include the old walled city of Verona and pre-war frontier defenses of the Italian-Austrian border along Lake Garda. One of the toughest positions I ever saw taken was four mutually supporting tunnels with precipitous mountain cliff on the right and Lake Garda on the left. We took these tunnels by an amphibious movement of a company in slow-moving Ducks which captured them from the rear in one of the most daring operations I have ever witnessed. , During our entire operation our Division always had one flank exposed and, during the last operations from April 14th on, had both flanks and frequently our rear exposed. The Chief of Staff of our Corps, stated to me that our crossing of the Po River was one for the record. I was attacking on my right and left flanks, defending my rear and crossing the Po River simultaneously. , As I told my troops in a recent talk I gave them when the Germans surrendered, no one except those in the Division will ever believe them when they get back home and discuss the operations we have been through. We had a British Lieutenant-Colonel Freeth commanding the 178th Lowland Artillery attached to us; he told me that he had supported seventeen British and U.S. Divisions during the war; and the 10th Mountain was outstanding in its aggressiveness and boldness in taking objectives. He is trying to get permission to identify his regimental insignia with the 10th Mountain Division so as to have a lasting recognition for his support of our operations. , As you can see from the above, I am very proud of the magnificent work of my gallant soldiers, and am happy that there are people like yourself interested in seeing that they get the recognition due them. , With best wishes, sincerely yours, , GEORGE P. HAYS Major General, U.S. Army

After its stunning success in breaking through the Germans' Apennine defenses, the 10th was selected to spearhead the U.S. Fifth Army's huge 1945 spring offensive northward into the Po Valley, where it suffered its heaviest casualties of the war.

Nonetheless, the 10th was unstoppable. It was the first American division to cross the wide Po River and advanced on to Lake Garda. Never losing a battle or an inch of ground, the 10th pushed the fleeing German army to the Alps until, on May 2, 1945, the German forces in Italy surrendered.

The price of victory was especially severe, however. A thousand 10th men were killed and over 4,000 were wounded. The names of the fallen are inscribed on the memorial behind you. Their sacrifices give stark meaning to the phrase, “Freedom isn't free.”

The document to your left provides an explicit summary of the 10th Mountain Division's outstanding achievements during its major combat operations of the Apennine and Po River campaigns in Northern Italy. This letter was written by Major General Hays in response to a number of inquiries by the Vice-President of the Quaker Oats Company who was inquiring what progress had been made by the Division throughout the Italian campaign. —————————
[Transcription of summary letter by Major General George P. Hays]

HEADQUARTERS

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10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION APO 345. U.S. ARMY

Dear Mr. Douglas:
Now that I have a few minutes to spare during the whirlwind life we have all been leading since our jump off a month ago, I want to write you more fully of the operations of this Division to date.... I thought you might like me to summarize what I consider to be the highlights of the operations of this Division, as follows.

I personally participated in the Battle of the Marne and Meuse Argonne offensive in the last war, in the Battle for Cassino with the 34th Infantry Division landing on Normandy on D plus 1 with the 2nd Infantry Division, the subsequent breakthrough in Normandy, the attack of the fortress of Brest and witnessed part of the fight in the Anzio beachhead. And as I have told my men, the battles of the 10th were as strongly contested and as bitter, and in many instances more intense than any I had experienced hitherto.

During our operations we were invariably opposed by the major elements of two or more German first-rate divisions. We completely destroyed the five divisions, marked by an asterisk, as effective combat units. The German divisions which opposed us in various phases of our operations were: *232nd Infantry Division, *114th Jaeger Division, *334th Infantry Division, *90th Panzer Division, *94th Infantry Division, 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, 8th Mountain Division,

Marker detail: The Village of Castel d’ Aiano image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: The Village of Castel d’ Aiano

One of the many towns destroyed in the heavy fighting.

65th Infantry Division, and 305th Infantry Division. With their supporting troops my one Division has been opposed at some time throughout the entire operations by approximately 100,000 German troops.

Lieutenant General von Senger who commanded the 14th Panzer Corps (emissary who I delivered to Fifth Army headquarters in regard to the surrender), congratulated me on having a very fine division, the best he had encountered on all fronts (Russia, Sicily and Italy). He stated that my division broke completely through two German Panzer Corps and forced himself personally, and his staff and many of his troops, to swim the Po River on the same day that we crossed in assault boats.

The Commanding General of the 90th Panzer Division, in a statement to his troops, said that in their surrender they had the consolation of surrendering to a very worthy opponent, the 10th Mountain Division.

This Division has encountered and overcome every type of natural obstacle as follows: innumerable rugged mountains of the Apennines and Alps, Po and Adige Rivers, canal region of Po Valley and Lake Garda, also every type of artificial obstacle, to include the old walled city of Verona and pre-war frontier defenses of the Italian-Austrian border along Lake Garda. One of the toughest positions I ever saw taken was four mutually supporting tunnels with precipitous mountain cliff on the

Marker detail: 10th Mountain troopers escorting a group of German prisoners image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: 10th Mountain troopers escorting a group of German prisoners

right and Lake Garda on the left. We took these tunnels by an amphibious movement of a company in slow-moving Ducks which captured them from the rear in one of the most daring operations I have ever witnessed.

During our entire operation our Division always had one flank exposed and, during the last operations from April 14th on, had both flanks and frequently our rear exposed. The Chief of Staff of our Corps, stated to me that our crossing of the Po River was one for the record. I was attacking on my right and left flanks, defending my rear and crossing the Po River simultaneously.

As I told my troops in a recent talk I gave them when the Germans surrendered, no one except those in the Division will ever believe them when they get back home and discuss the operations we have been through. We had a British Lieutenant-Colonel Freeth commanding the 178th Lowland Artillery attached to us; he told me that he had supported seventeen British and U.S. Divisions during the war; and the 10th Mountain was outstanding in its aggressiveness and boldness in taking objectives. He is trying to get permission to identify his regimental insignia with the 10th Mountain Division so as to have a lasting recognition for his support of our operations.

As you can see from the above, I am very proud of the magnificent work of my gallant soldiers, and am happy that there are people

Marker detail: Pvt. John Magrath, recipient of the Medal of Honor, posthumously image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Pvt. John Magrath, recipient of the Medal of Honor, posthumously

like yourself interested in seeing that they get the recognition due them.

With best wishes, sincerely yours,
GEORGE P. HAYS Major General, U.S. Army

Erected by Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 2, 1945.

Location. 39° 21.725′ N, 106° 18.641′ W. Marker is near Leadville, Colorado, in Eagle County. It is at the intersection of 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway (U.S. 24) and Tennessee Pass Road, on the right when traveling north on 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway. The marker kiosk is beside the Tennessee Pass Summit wayside parking lot, just inside the Eagle County line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leadville CO 80461, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies. It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); Tennessee Pass (within

Marker detail: Summary letter written by Major General George P. Hays image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Summary letter written by Major General George P. Hays

shouting distance of this marker); Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.) NORSO (Rype Group) Special Force (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tennessee Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); The Norwegian Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Norwegian Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leadville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. A History of the 10th Mountain Division

Also see . . .
1. John David Magrath (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: John David Magrath (July 4, 1924 – April 14, 1945) was a soldier in the U.S. Army who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during World War II for actions occurring in Italy on April 14, 1945. He served in the 10th Mountain Division. The Shea-Magrath Sports Complex at Norwalk High School in Connecticut is named for him. In June 1995, Fort Drum, New York renamed its Soldiers Sports Complex the Magrath Sports Complex. A plaque and portrait are in display Magrath
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025

6. A History of the 10th Mountain Division Kiosk
This marker is on the east side of the 10th Mountain Division History kiosk at the Tennessee Pass Summit wayside.
Gym to honor his memory. In August 2013 the dedication of a monument and plaque in his honor was placed at the location of the battle by residents of Castel d'Aiano. PFC John D. Magrath is the first Medal of Honor recipient of the 10th Mountain Division.

(Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. John D Magrath (Congressional Medal of Honor Society).

Excerpt:
Rank: Private First Class
Unit/Command: Company G, 85th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division
Medal of Honor Action Date: April 14, 1945
Medal of Honor Action Place: near Castel d'Aiano, Italy
Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty when his company was pinned down by heavy artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, near Castel d'Aiano, Italy. Volunteering to act as scout, armed with only a rifle, he charged headlong into withering fire, killing two Germans and wounding three in order to capture a machine gun. Carrying this weapon across an open field through heavy fire, he neutralized two more machine-gun nests; he then circled behind four other Germans, killing them with a burst as they were firing on his company. Spotting another dangerous enemy position to his right, he knelt with the machine gun
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in his arms and exchanged fire with the Germans until he had killed two and wounded three. The enemy now poured increased mortar and artillery fire on the company's newly won position. Pfc. Magrath fearlessly volunteered again to brave the shelling in order to collect a report of casualties. Heroically carrying out this task, he made the supreme sacrifice a climax to the valor and courage that are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

(Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.