10th Mountain Division Resource Center

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When the 10th Mountain Division’s men made great sacrifices in the thick of WW2, they were carrying out their objectives in a range of noteworthy outdoor environments.

From their intense, mountainous Camp Hale training in the winter to a rippling ocean voyage back to the U.S. from Italy, nature was part of every phase of their climb to glory.

Image 1: Camp Hale in Winter. 1943-1944. History Colorado. 2023.70.26
Image 2: A rock formation used for 10th training. 1940-1950. History Colorado. 93.298.22.
Image 3: Riva Ridge from vicinity of Querciola on approach to Belvedere. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-653
Image 4: Belvedere. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-470
Image 5: Aerial view of the Apennine Mountains (Objective: Mt. Belvedere, Mt. Castello). 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD351-2019-25
Image 6: Apple Blossoms filled the air -- death waits. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-281
Image 7: Arial view of Rocca di Roffeno. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-133
Image 8: Grapes and olives. Denver Public Library. 1945. TMD-529
Image 9: Lake Garda, Italy. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD351-2019-327
Image 10: Au riva diece, Italy!. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-569

Through treks from Leadville to Aspen (pictured below), one Bronze Star-honored 10th Mountain Division soldier found his post-war path.

Frederic “Fritz” Benedict (Image 1 in front) studied landscape architecture and apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright before becoming a 1st LT and S2 intelligence officer with the 126th Engineering Battalion.

Benedict grew fond of Aspen while training. Before the division left for Italy, he had started preparing to purchase a ranch when Friedl Pfeiffer approached him with plans to develop a ski area there.

His Aspen development work was mostly residential, but Benedict later designed the master plans for Vail (1962), Snowmass (1967), and Breckenridge (1971); he also assisted in designing ski resorts in Steamboat Springs and Winter Park.

In the 1980s, Benedict and a group of skiers established the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, which created a 300-mile, European-style backcountry trail and 10 huts between Aspen and Vail.

Today, the organization has 38 huts across 350 miles; 14 of them are 10th Mountain-owned, and five were built through donations made to honor 10th Mountain Division soldiers who died in combat.

Image 1: Dirty ‘ole’ Nagel. 1943-1944. Denver Public Library. TMD-396
Image 2: Somewhere en route. 1944. Denver Public Library. TMD-478

Climbing to glory takes a village, and the 10th Mountain Division found part of theirs in the 1st Brazilian Division.

The United States and Brazil were allies who entered WWII at different times. While the U.S. entered on December 8, 1941, Brazil maintained neutrality to minimize the threat to South America while determining which side would be more economically beneficial to join. During this time, critics teased that they’d see a snake smoke before Brazil entered the war.

Brazil eventually developed secret economic ties with the Axis Powers, which they later severed in exchange for strengthened U.S. economic and military support. They declared war on Aug. 22, 1942, when a German U-boat sank several Brazilian ships in retaliation.

At the end of 1944, Brazilian forces launched several unsuccessful attempts to take Mt. Castello. Months later, the 10th Mountain Division launched their assault on Mt. Belvedere, and the 1st Brazilian Division joined forces to protect their flank while wearing smoking snake patches in response to the past critics (pictured below).

The bond between Brazilian and U.S. soldiers stayed strong after these operations. 10th Mountain Division soldiers welcomed Brazil home and led their victory parade. Additionally, many post-war recognition ceremonies in Italy honored veterans from both groups together.

Image 1: 1st Brazilian Division patch. 1945. History Colorado. 2000.15.12
Image 2: 10th units lead Victory Parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 1945. Denver Public Library. TMD-361