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10th Mountain Division Vet on Cold and Bloody Combat in the Italian Mountains
Published 2 years ago
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Hugh Williams Evans had dreams of becoming a pilot like his father who had served in the Great War, but a "drippy eye" prevented him from flying. He would instead join the 10th Mountain Division and see some of the ferocious combat of World War II.
Evans and the 10th entered combat in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, where they would suffer one of the highest casualty rates in the war while also conducting one of the fastest advances through enemy territory.
On Mount Gorgolesco, Evans would distinguish himself by eliminating several enemy positions, including a well fortified bunker. He would be awarded the Silver Star for his actions.
The late Senator Bob Dole, a second lieutenant in the 10th, wrote “The 10th had an especially tough assignment—to crack the well fortified German positions on the rocky heights above it. With the 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment in the lead, the division accomplished that, but at great cost.”
Hugh Williams Evans passed away on November 28, 2021.
