85^th Mountain Infantry Regiment

The 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment was activated at Camp Hale, Colorado, on July 15, 1943, as part of the 10th Light Division and was redesignated mountain infantry in November 1944. After training in Colorado and Texas, it sailed from Hampton Roads on January 4, 1945, and arrived in Italy nine days later. The regiment entered combat in the North Apennines with the 10th Mountain Division, whose specialized mountain training was used in the winter fight west of Highway 64.

In the February offensive, the 85th Mountain Infantry attacked frontally against Monte Belvedere and Monte Gorgolesco while the 87th Mountain Infantry worked against the western flank of the same hill mass. Advancing without an artillery preparation to preserve surprise, the regiment fought through resistance near the summit and helped secure Monte Belvedere. It then pressed toward Monte della Torraccia, where the 2nd Battalion became heavily engaged short of the crest and was relieved after costly fighting. In the March phase the regiment was committed again, seized Monte della Spe and Monte della Castellana, and held Monte della Spe against counterattacks by German reinforcements.

When the final Fifth Army offensive opened in April, the 85th Mountain Infantry attacked through the Pra del Bianco basin, negotiated minefields, and cleared high ground overlooking the basin. As the German front broke, the regiment joined the pursuit out of the Apennines and across the Po Valley. Its 1st Battalion led a rapid advance through Mantua to Villafranca airfield, southwest of Verona, where it dispersed a rear guard and established a perimeter until Task Force Darby arrived. In the last phase, the regiment crossed Lake Garda in amphibious vehicles to Gargnano and moved north toward Riva as German positions at the head of the lake collapsed. The regiment returned to the United States in August and was inactivated at Camp Carson on November 30, 1945.