The Events Of World War II - 1285 Words

The Tenth’s triumphs in Italy were demonstrative of the value of specialized forces. Their success both was very influential in the events of World War II and in proving the value of specialized forces. Once the government saw how effective the focused training of this division was, they realized that a new era had begun. The Tenth Mountain Division started the period of special forces. The men in the division used their mountain climbing skills to formulate a brilliant plot to capture Riva Ridge and Mount Belvedere. One source recounts, â€Å"‘Over a series of patrols and weeks, they secretly scouted routes up the mountain,’ Townsend added. ‘They went up the sheer rock face of both mountains and set up rope installations and secretly†¦show more content†¦When the men of the Tenth returned to America, they were just as revolutionary there as they were on the battlefield. They shaped the future of not only war, but of recreation. These men started ski resorts, founded outdoor education initiatives, and did a lot for the outdoor industries of America. The men of the Tenth Mountain Division were essential in developing and revolutionizing the recreational ski industry in America. Bill Pennington states, â€Å"The 10th Mountain Division connections are everywhere in American skiing, whether it s at Vail Mountain, founded by Sgt. Pete Seibert, of the 10th Mountain Division, or in Vermont, home to the 10th Division veteran Cliff Taylor, the Pied Piper of the short-skis-for-beginners revolution more than 40 years ago† (28). The men of the Tenth Mountain Division came home to reinvent and revolutionize the ski industry in the United States. Former Tenth soldiers also started many outdoor initiatives to educate people about the outdoors and to protect and enjoy the beautiful American wilderness. In Brendan Leonard’s account, he states, â€Å"Soldiers and officers from the 10th Mountain Division returned home, many to the mountains. In the decades following, they pursued different paths, building ski resorts, outdoor education programs, shoe companies, and even the Sierra Club† (29). The Tenth Mountain division was quite impactful in the development of the