Fort Drum, New York. (May 10, 2025): In this photo by Sergeant Salvador Castro, Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, fire at simulated enemy forces during combat training. The 10^th Mountain is one of America’s premier light infantry units whose roots go back to World War II and the fighting in Italy.

Masters of mountaineering and freezing weather warfare, the 10^th Mountain was formed in 1943 as the 10th Light Division (Alpine) and sent to fight in the rugged Italian Alps. The division was specifically trained for mountain warfare, including skiing, snowshoeing, and navigating challenging terrain. Their assignment was to pursue and destroy German troops retreating up the boot of Italy over extremely difficult snow-covered mountains.

The division is most famous for seizing German positions on Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere over nearly five months of intense ground combat against dug in opposition.

These enemy positions were key to the infamous Gothic Line – a series of German defensive fortifications across the top of the Italian peninsula that kept the Allies at bay.

The Allies needed a way to take Riva Ridge, which held the German’s observation post, a position used to watch for enemies, direct fire, and warn of approaching soldiers.

The 10th Mountain troops used specialized techniques like fixed rope climbing to successfully storm Riva Ridge though the German counterattacks were fierce. Despite facing over 100,000 German troops, the division managed to destroy five German divisions, unhinging the defense in Italy and drawing forces away from other theaters. Of course, this came at great cost as the division sustained nearly 5,000 casualties with 999 Soldiers killed in action.

Due to the success of the 10^th Mountain, the Allies were able to advance up the peninsula to eventually drive the German forces from the country.