87^th Mountain Infantry Regiment

The 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment had the longest wartime history among the 10th Mountain Division's infantry regiments. Its 1st Battalion was activated at Fort Lewis on November 15, 1941, and the rest of the regiment followed in May 1942. Before joining the 10th Light Division, the regiment trained for mountain and amphibious operations, deployed to the Aleutians, and landed on evacuated Kiska on August 15, 1943. It later returned to the United States, joined the 10th Light Division in February 1944, was redesignated the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment in November, and arrived in Italy on January 13, 1945.

In the February North Apennines offensive, the 87th Mountain Infantry attacked with the 85th against the Monte Belvedere-Monte Gorgolesco hill mass. While the 85th pressed frontally, the 87th moved up the western slopes toward villages between Belvedere and Riva Ridge and then toward Valpiana Ridge, threatening the German flank. The regiment gained key ground with surprise and helped force the Belvedere position. In the March phase it attacked on the division right, taking Monte Terminale, Monte della Vedetta, Monte Acidola, Madonna di Brasa, and Monte della Croce, then reached the final phase line at Castel d'Aiano while the division secured its spring-offensive jump-off positions.

During the April offensive, the regiment crossed from Monte Spicchione, entered Serra Sarzana, fought through Torre Iussi, and used a battalion maneuver against Hill 903 to force the enemy out. It then took Monte Pigna and advanced by way of Tole toward Monte Croce and Monte Mosca as the German front collapsed. In the pursuit to the Po, the 1st Battalion made the division's initial assault crossing in boats, opening the north bank bridgehead. After Verona, the regiment followed Task Force Darby and moved over a mountain road east of Lake Garda to outflank the last German positions near the lake. It returned to the United States in August and was inactivated at Camp Carson on November 21, 1945.