From Mail to Mountain: The story of a 10th Mountain Division Soldier's climb to Glory

By J. A. Jackson

From Mail to Mountain is a detailed portrayal of the daily life of an Army private (author’s father) who served in World War II. The author used documented activities researched from company level daily reports along with stories his father told, to envision and develop dialogue between soldiers of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division as they engaged the German army in the North Apennines and Po River campaigns in Italy. From Mail to Mountain is interesting, riveting, and authentic. You won’t want to put it down until you’ve finished reading it!

Highly acclaimed by military leaders and others!

….. a story of grit, determination, humor, excitement, routine, and longing to be home. In sum, it's the story of every soldier who has gone to war. John Jackson has done a great honor to every 10th Mountain Division soldier, past and present. - Lieutenant General (US Army, Retired) James M. Dubik, PhD. Former Commander, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.

….. with immense pride and honest appreciation, Jackson serves up a meticulously researched, factually grounded, and heartfelt tribute to both his dad and the soldiers with whom he served. - Colonel David R. Fabian, (US Army-Ret), Chief of Staff, Army Historical Foundation

….. extremely well written and difficult to put down. - Colonel R. Dritlein (USAR-Ret.)

….. I truly enjoyed reading your book. Those men of the greatest generation did more for this world then we can ever thank them for. This book helps capture that for future generations to understand each soldier has a story. - K. Alexander

….. Excellent work, it's a special talent to be able to paint a picture with words. Well done!! - J. Greene

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Dec 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662921230

J. A. Jackson

J. A. Jackson, a romantic at heart, drew from her many experiences dating in the San Francisco Bay Area to come up with a series with lively plot ideas with a surreal twist which captures the fabulous crowd of loveable geeks as they encounter jealousy, betrayal, outrageous behavior, heartbreak, and romance. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home outside of Oakland, California, with her husband and Big Sally, an American scent hound. She comes from a family rich in story tellers. She spent over ten years working in the non-profit sector where she wrote grants, press releases and contributed many stories to their newsletter. She was their Newsletter editor for over ten years. She loves growing roses, a good pot of hot tea, chocolate, magical stories, suspense stories, ghost stories, and reading Jane Austen again and again in her past time.

Book preview

1

Neither snow nor rain nor heat …

Jones, Marvin. Abingdon, Sam. Here’s another one for Jimmy Fuentes, he thought. Hey Frank, when do you think we’ll see some action? I didn’t volunteer for this man’s army to sort mail!

Be careful what you ask for Jackson. Those Krauts are dug in deep and I’ve got a feeling we’ll get our chance to push ‘em out.

Pvt. Charles (Chuck) Jackson had been in Italy for nearly three months, having arrived in October 1944. In that time the closest he came to being wounded were the paper cuts he occasionally experienced while sorting mail in the post office of the 8th Replacement Depot. Then, of course, there was the flood. Having enlisted on May 10, 1944, his Italy arrival was a memorable one. Pvt. Jackson left Staten Island aboard a converted cruise ship October 14, 1944. Though scheduled to disembark at Naples, Chuck’s troop ship was sent on north to Leghorn without an escort, where he arrived October 29th. Feeling alone and somewhat nervous, he finally fell asleep that first night only to be awakened around 0400 with rising water in his tent.

Holy shit! Chuck thought as he saw his meager belongings floating out of his tent. Some of his things had already disappeared. Get your asses up and outta’ here his sergeant was yelling. Grab as much as you can and get to higher ground!

Wet and filled with anxiety that first night, Jackson could not have imagined he would soon be part of one of the greatest accomplishments in the Italian campaign, the key battle that shocked the German army and opened the Apennine Mountains for a fast-paced, unrelenting Allied assault.

October 1944 was a very wet month in northern Italy, with above average rainfall that flooded streets in coastal towns and hindered military operations, the depot included. Following allied success in securing control of areas around and inland from the Leghorn region of northern Italy, the 8th Replacement Depot relocated there from North Africa and hurriedly established operations. As troop ships quickly began arriving, poor planning with inadequate forethought placed inexperienced soldiers in a difficult situation.

Did you lose much in the flood our first night here? Jackson asked. I lost everything but one pair of socks, and several letters from home.

Only a pair of boots and two pair of socks, Frank responded. At least you saved the important stuff. The socks are vital but those letters are what get you through the day.

Chuck had been working at Hurd Lock Company in Adrian, Michigan for a couple of years before enlisting to make a difference in May 1944. Born near Detroit in 1920, he was the second of four sons born to Fred E. and Ethelyn (Moore) Jackson. Fred and Ethelyn moved the family to Ethelyn’s hometown of Palmyra in southeast Michigan while the boys were still young. This small village surrounded by fertile farmland northwest of Toledo, Ohio became the foundation upon which Chuck’s values and character were built. The old brick school in Palmyra only offered classes through the tenth grade so Chuck finished his high school education in nearby Adrian, graduating in 1937. In January 1941 he married his sweetheart Imo Phillips. Their son Robert was nearly three years old and daughter Nancy almost two when Jackson enlisted.

Man, I sure miss Imo and the kids Jackson said. I know it’s only been a few months since I left, but I hope we can get these Germans out of here pretty damned soon so I can get back home.

His buddy Frank, sorting on the other side of the table, then reminded him that he volunteered. I can say that crap ‘cause I got drafted, but you volunteered so you got no room to complain. Besides, the Jerries are dug in really well up there in the high spots and so far, we haven’t found a way to get ‘em out, Frank said. We will, I know we will Frank continued. I heard that new mountain unit just got in at Naples and they’ve been trainin’ to kick the Jerries’ ass off those damn mountains.

PFC Franklin Robert Jefferson was born and raised in Clark County, located in Indiana across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. When he graduated from high school he intended to go to work for Colgate-Palmolive, the big employer in the county. He was pretty sure he could make some good money there; after all, it was the same place his father worked and he was doing okay. The war changed those plans. Colgate-Palmolive would have to wait.

Being late to start school as a child, Frank was eighteen when he finished high school and received his notice to report for an induction physical within a few days of graduation. He didn’t even have time to enjoy some summer fun on the river before heading to basic training. It didn’t matter though; Frank was pretty sure he would make it back after the war. After all, he grew up learning to shoot and take care of himself. Waking up at sunrise to milk the two family cows and feed the chickens before school pretty much prepared him for his short stint in the Army, or so he thought.

Do you miss home? Jackson asked.

Not too much, Frank responded. I don’t miss having to do all the chores. It seems like my kid sister didn’t have to do anything!

What did you say about a new unit, Chuck pressed.

I heard ‘Sarge talking yesterday about a new unit that’s supposed to have training as mountain climbers and skiers. I think they’re some sort of experimental unit that a general probably dreamed up, and they’ve been havin’ fun skiing in Colorado for most of the war, Jefferson said smiling.

The Tenth Mountain Division was first formed as the Tenth Light Division (Alpine) in 1943 out of the 87th Mountain Infantry Battalion, the brainchild of Charles Minot (Minnie) Dole. Dole was an avid skier and commonly known as a founder of the National Ski Patrol, which counted some of the best skiers in the world as members. Dole urged the military to use these skilled, and in many cases, highly educated men to support the war effort. The concept of mountain troops was embraced, at least by some, and the 87th was brought to life in Colorado.

Elements of the 10th Mountain Division first arrived in Italy December 23, 1944 in the form of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment. After being assigned to IV Corps, soldiers of the 86th found themselves on the front line in early January.

Considered the key to the Po River valley and the advance through Italy, Mount Belvedere loomed as a formidable piece of key terrain. Mount Belvedere and the Della Torracia Ridge rose more than 3,200 feet and was a critical point of defense along the famed German Gothic Line. The Allies had tried three times to take the mountain only to be driven back by artillery fire directed from nearby ridges. Continued advancement by the allies depended on gaining control of this high ground.

The Gothic Line was Germany’s last line of defense in Italy, stretching through the Apennine Mountains. Commanded by Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, it utilized key terrain and the strategic placement of ground mounted tank turrets in addition to traditional weaponry and troops. Tough though it was, the Allied forces led by the 10th Mountain Division quickly and methodically decimated the German units trying to prolong the inevitable outcome.

The 10th Mountain Division was given the mission of taking (and holding) Mount Belvedere and division commander, Brigadier General George P. Hayes, decided the only way to do so successfully was to control nearby Riva Ridge.

What’s wrong? asked Frank. It was the night of January 25th and Chuck seemed a bit quiet. Although he did not typically talk as much as Frank, tonight he seemed quieter than usual. Chuck hadn’t spoken more than two words since dinner and Frank noticed he hadn’t finished his stew either. C’mon Charlie, are you sick, something bothering you?

I was just thinking of Imo, Jackson said reluctantly. Today is our wedding anniversary and I just wish I could be with her. We’ve been married four years but it seems like yesterday, and I sure do miss her!

Jessie Imogean Imo Phillips was only sixteen years old when she and Chuck married. Although they wanted to get married when she was still fifteen, the love-struck pair waited before finally tying the knot in front of a justice of the peace in Ohio, with her parents’ blessing.

I still remember that day. It was the best day of my life! exclaimed Jackson. Then Jimmy and Nancy came along and… Chuck suddenly became silent again and Frank realized Chuck just needed some time to himself.

2

Learning the ropes

Chuck’s penchant to do more than sort mail became reality in early February, when both he and Jefferson were reassigned to that new experimental mountain unit; Jefferson to the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment and Jackson to the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment. Neither soldier had any experience or training climbing mountains, let alone fighting in them. Both young men were a bit apprehensive about what might be expected of them.

Hey Chuck, I heard those guys are all skiers. You s’pose we’re gonna’ have to learn how to ski? Jefferson asked while packing his gear the night before they had to report to their new units.

I don’t know but I hope not! Jackson laughed. I used to ice skate but I’m afraid I might do the splits if I tried to ski. Maybe they’ll give us snowshoes instead, I can handle those.

Chuck reported to the 86th on February 9th and was assigned to A Company, part of the 1st Battalion. Having first arrived in Naples, the unit quickly moved north to the Leghorn area and relieved elements of Task Force 45 on the front line. On January 8th the greenhorn unit was positioned in the combat zone, remaining there until February 2nd when it was relieved by elements of the 85th and 87th regiments.

When Chuck joined the 86th, the unit was located in Corps reserve near the city of Lucca, having left the front line just a couple days before. While the 85th and 87th Regiments maintained security on the front, the 86th trained and prepared for coming battles, not realizing it would be the last respite they would get for some time.

This afforded Chuck an opportunity to work with the mountain troops and learn at least some minimal skills he might need in the weeks and months ahead. Even simple rope work and climbing techniques could prove to be invaluable.

Jackson, show me what you can do with a rope! shouted his platoon sergeant during Chuck’s third day with the unit. After tying a few knots and rappelling down the side of a small cliff just as he had learned the day before, Sergeant Bando gave him a nod of approval and turned his attention to the rest of the platoon.

Chuck’s first few days with A Company were fairly uneventful but important. After his morning demonstration for the platoon sergeant February 12th, Chuck received his winter clothing issue and then joined the rest of the 1st platoon to watch a reconnaissance patrol demonstration in the rain. The men could hear the constant rumble of distant artillery fire throughout the day.

Hey Chuck, you looked pretty good earlier with those knots, Jackson heard as he turned around to see PFC Lee Durant walking toward him after the demonstration. Durant was a big guy from Vermont who had been with the 86th since the beginning. Lee grew up in the mountains of Vermont and learned to ski at a young age. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol when Minnie Dole himself recruited Lee for the Army.

Thanks Lee. I grew up farming so I guess the rope work comes natural. We used ropes for just about everything on the farm, Chuck replied. Maybe someday you can show me how to keep from falling down on skis!

When this war is over, I’d be happy to make you into a professional skier, Durant went on.

Chuck and Lee continued to chat on their way to mess. Did you hear the rumor going around about a big operation coming up? Durant asked.

No, I haven’t heard a thing. You know me, when I’m training, I’m focused! Chuck replied grinning. What’s up?

Well, I don’t know too much but I heard ‘Sarge talking to the lieutenant about how we should assign men for the attack, Lee said. I didn’t catch the when or where. They were just trying to decide whether we should keep guys like you back or if you should be part of the attack.

What do you mean, guys like me? Chuck asked.

You know, guys from the replacement center that haven’t had any training for mountain fighting, Lee explained.

I see, said Chuck. You can tell ‘Sarge that I’ll be ready for whatever he tells me to do. I might not have vacationed with you guys in Colorado, but I can keep up with just about anything you do, short of skiing. Lee laughed and they both went on to eat a pretty good chicken dinner.

The next few days were clear and warm, allowing the troops to focus on physical conditioning in preparation for their much-anticipated future combat. The regimental band stopped by and played for an hour, delivering some snappy, toe-tapping music that put smiles on troops’ faces. The musical break helped the time go by easier. Besides physical training, Chuck and the 1st platoon did some range firing and in the evening of the 14th were entertained with a movie.

Finally, at 1500 on February 15th, A Company was placed on alert. Hey Lee, any idea what the alert is for? Chuck asked Durant.

Nope, I have no idea, said Durant. Maybe we’re gonna’ move out tonight.

Maybe, Chuck said quietly. Then at 1700 the alert was canceled just as mysteriously as it began.

Chuck was assigned to guard duty the next morning, along with two others. About an hour into his duty, the guards were approached by a man speaking broken English and asking questions about the troops and what they were doing. Becoming suspicious, Chuck escorted the man to the command post (CP) and turned him in to the military police (MP) before returning to the camp perimeter. The civilian inquisitor was later transferred to battalion HQ for further questioning.

February 17th was again clear and warm but there was a buzz around the troops. The A Company soldiers had been given the order to prepare for movement. No one knew where the company was headed and the anticipation seemed to increase in intensity as the day wore on. The 2nd platoon was detached to B Company at 0945. The rest of A Company boarded trucks at 1400 and headed for Castelluccio, a small village in the Apennine Mountains.

View of Riva Ridge, TMD-374, 10th Mountain Division Resource Center, Denver Public Library

3

Climb to glory

Drop your bedrolls on the side of the road boys and form up for a road march, bellowed Sergeant Bando. It was 1900 and the troops were barely able to grab some C rations following the truck ride.

The Army considered a ration to be the amount of food allowed for each soldier per day. The C ration consisted of a ration of meat (there were only three varieties), a ration of bread, and an accessory pack. At times, the soldiers would only receive B rations which omitted the meat. The rations were packed in small tin cans with paper labels that would often fall off, forcing soldiers to guess what was in each can.

Chuck and the others quickly lined up in two columns along the road and began moving on to the Poggiolforato area, arriving shortly before midnight.

Circle on me, Sergeant Bando quietly told the men of the 1st platoon as soon as they arrived. Men, Bando began, tomorrow we will be part of a major offensive. The jump-off time hasn’t been passed down yet but it’s probably going to be late in the day. All I can tell you right now is the objective is the top of the mountain we’re sitting next to. It’s called Mt. Mancinello. I don’t know how we’re supposed to get there but I do know we will be told where and when to climb. The head shed decided this platoon will be a supply platoon, which means we won’t be the first ones up there, Bando continued