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TaOle of Contents

'Kit' Carson Biography . in

Fort Carson's

Historical Setting v-vi

The Railroad VII

The Settlers VII-VIII

The Birth of Camp Carson i

A $28 Million Town Wins a

$30 Million Contract 3-4

Camp Carson Founders 5-8

Construction 9-12

The ^ arrears 13-14

The Army Mules 15

Hambone 16

The ROW Camp 18

Camp Hale and Mountain and Cold Weather Training 19-20

Medical Services 22-23

Postwar 24

Families Come to Carson . . 2 5-26

Fire and Flood 27-29

Butts Army Airfield 30-3 1

Carson and the Movies 32

Site Used for Training 33

Army Dog Training Center ...34

The Korean War 35

Camp Carson

Becomes Fort Carson 36-39

The Vietnam War Period 40-4 1

Carson - 1970s

to the Present 42-44

VOLAR 45

Pinon Canyon 46-47

Growth and Change 48-49

Camp and

Fort Commanders 50-53

Fort Carson

Streets and Landmarks . 54-67 Fort Carson's Nine Divisions 68

4th Infantry

Division (Mechanized) . . . .69-72

5th Infantry Division 73

9th Infantry

Division (Motorized) 74

8th Infantry Division 75

3 I St Infantry Division 76

1 0th Mountain Division

(Light Infantry) 77

104th Infantry

Division (Training) 78

7 1 St Infantry Division 79

89th Infantry Division 80

Conclusion 8I

Acknowledgements 82

Map of Fort Carson 83

Digitized by the Internef Archive in 2016

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https://archive.org/details/traditionofvictoOOfort

Brigadier General Christopher 'K/t” Carson 1809-1868

Born in Madison County, Ken- tucky, Christopher "Kit ” Carson moved to the Missouri frontier by the age of two. Orphaned at an early age, he was apprenticed to a saddler. Kit found life too dull, and at the age of 1 7 ran away with a wagon train bound for Sante Fe. For 1 6 years he worked as a teamster, cook, guide and hunter for parties exploring the West. In 1842 he guided Gen. John C. Fremont on his expedition to California. For his brave work in the Mexican War, Carson was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army. He was ap- pointed Indian agent for the Taos, New Mexico area in 1853. In that position he used his wealth of ex- perience and influence to counsel against bloodshed--and in many in- stances was successful. When the Civil War started, Carson organiz- ed and commanded the New Mex- ico and Colorado Auxiliary Scouts. At the end of the war he was ap- pointed to the rank of Brigadier General and given command of Fort Garland, Colorado. Christopher Carson left the post in 1867 and died at Fort Lyons in 1868.

Fort Carson’s Historical Setting

The land on which Fort Carson is built was never the permanent home of any Indian tribe, although many tribes-among them the Utes, Commanches, Kiowas, Cheyennes, Arapahoes and Sioux did live here from time to time. Other tribes, such as the Pawnees and the Jicarilla Apaches frequent- ly hunted in this region.

Except for the Utes, these tribes came from east of the Rockies. They had been gradually pushed west by white settlers. In the early 1 700s, the Ute Indians occupied the Rocky Mountains and the South Park region, traveling the Carson area to forage and hunt.

Other tribes moved to the Car- son area, but then migrated south to the Arkansas River. Evidence of the different tribes can be found in the petroglyphs and pic- tographs, arrowheads, pottery fragments, camp sites and Indian burial sites found on the Fort Carson reservation.

The decline in the Indian population in the fort area came in 1861 when the government made a treaty with the Cheyennes and Arapahoes. The tribes, accor- ding to the treaty, would give up some 80 thousand square miles which included what is now Fort Carson. The land would go into the new territory of Colorado.

In exchange, the tribes were to receive $450,000 to be paid in 1 5 yearly installments. Reserved for their use was a tract of land along both sides of the Arkansas River and a portion of their southeast Colorado holdings. This treaty at- tempted to settle land ownership, but violations by both sides led to a war of terrorism through most of the 1860s. The United States, engaged in a Civil War, could not spare the troops needed to en- force the terms of the treaty.

Meanwhile, settlers in the Fort Carson area fortified their ranches and retreated to Fountain or Col- orado Springs to escape Indian attacks.

By 1869, hundreds of U.S. Cavalrymen were in the region and most of the Indians left. Fur- ther contact with them by white settlers was sporadic.

In 1873 the first stage road to cross Fort Carson was built. It car-

ried passengers and light freight loads from Denver to Canon City. Discovery of gold in Colorado and the need for better and faster routes to Denver led to the building of the stage route. The demand for transportation was so great that stages began running day and night, stopping only long enough for a change of teams and for meals. Outlaws plagued the lightly protected stages and "traf- fic jams" were often created along the route by grazing herds of buffalo.

A major stop on the old route was the stage station of Glendale, located one-half mile outside the southwest boundary of the Carson reservation at the junction of the Red and Beaver Creeks. Most of the station was destroyed on a rainy night in )une 1921 when a dam on Beaver Creek broke and a wall of water swept through the stage stop.

The Railroad

A little-known railroad, called the Kansas Colorado, incor- porated in 1898, and without a single section of track for its first 10 years, ran from Pueblo to an area on Fort Carson called Stone City. The railroad carried the clay and limestone quarried at Stone City. When limestone lost its popularity as a building material the quaries at Stone City and Turkey Creek closed in 1930. In 1911, the Colorado-Kansas Railroad Company became the Kansas-Colorado. The corporation was dissolved in 1934, but Colorado Railroad, Inc. was form- ed to reopen it. The tracks were dismantled in 1958.

Another track, with an even shorter lifespan, ran across Fort Carson. Incorporated in 1909 and called the Beaver, Penrose and Northern Railroad, its main pur- pose was to carry trains of pro- spective land buyers to sites near Penrose, Colorado.

The Settlers

The men and women who homesteaded the land that is now Fort Carson were a tenacious breed. They had to be to survive the rigors of life which revolved around the hardships of "running cattl^.’’ The semi-arid meadows and rocky foothills often posed problems. It was no small ac- complishment to keep a handful of cattle together until they could multiply into a herd large enough to support a family.

Names of many of the original homesteaders are forgotten, recorded only in old archives. At one time a man by the name of Booth lived down range, but time has erased all traces of him and his family, only the unchanging mountain bears his name. Other names imprinted on the reserva- tion are the Avery, Early, Ingle and Mary Ellen ranches. All are now part of history, as are the Mesa View and Cheyenne Valley Ranches.

Archaeologists look for Indian artifacts at a test excavation at Fort Carson.

VII

This homestead in Welsh Canyon, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, was excavated as part of the ongoing Fort Carson Environmental Studies Program.

The Cheyenne Valley Ranch was owned by W.D. Corley. Corley was a Mississippi cotton farmer who brought his young wife to Colorado Springs to recuperate from tuberculosis. Among his many business ventures, Corley had the urge to become a "gentleman rancher. " The ranch house and the other buildings are gone now. All that remains of the ranch, on which Carson's can- tonment area was built, is the foreman’s house. The building, called Corley House is home, by tradition, to the division Command Sergeant Major.

Guy Parker, for whom the education center was named, was

a homesteader of land purchased by Fort Carson in 1965. The se- cond white male child born in El Paso County, he was a man whose self-education never ceased. Despite pressing chores of a work- ing ranch and raising a family, Parker embodied the goods of education.

Further south on the reservation is Turkey Creek Ranch. It was originally owned by Frank Cross. The ranch was sold to Spencer Penrose. He used it for entertain- ing guests, who came to the region to hunt. Today, the beautiful Turkey Creek Ranch is a recreation area for Carson soldiers.

Vlll

Tfie Birth of Camp Carson

In 1941 the nation was climbing out of its worst depression.

Poland and Norway had been crushed by Hitler’s blitzkrieg, as had the Netherlands. Belgium and France. Great Britain, putting up the greatest resistance in its history, faced the prospect of star- vation by blockade. Japan declared its alliance with Germany and Italy.

There were signs all over the world that the struggle would soon spread. The United States, leaning steadily to the side of Bri- tain, was sending supplies to that country in increasing amounts.

In an unprecedented act of faith, the people of the United States had returned Franklin D.

Roosevelt to a third term as Presi- dent, indicating their willingness to go all-out in an effort to aid Bri- tain. Only the year before. Con-

gress had passed the Selective Service Act calling for conscription of an Army with a potential strength of four million men.

Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.

1941, the United States declared war on the Axis powers.

Officials in Washington. D.C., in charge of selecting new military installations, lost no time. Less than one month later, on January 6, 1942, it was officially announc- ed that Colorado Springs had been selected as the site of an Army camp.

The announcement was especially welcomed by Russell D. Law, Douglas C. Jardine, J. Raymond Lowell, and Dr. George J. Dwire. These four men had poured more than a year of determined effort into ensuring the city would be selected.

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The backers of the camp could testify to the fact that military in- stallations are hard to win. An Army post has to be wanted. The re- questing community must provide incentives to the military to have a post built at its doorstep rather than elsewhere. In addition, that community has to guarantee not only the soil on which future soldiers will live and train, but also a lifetime of water, utilities and a multitude of other necessities.

The Pikes Peak Region had the primary inducements-miles of prairie for large scale train- ing maneuvers and a climate which would permit year round training.

There was never any doubt in the minds of the four visionaries that Colorado Springs could pro- vide for an Army training camp, but much had to be done to con- vince the townspeople and the federal government.

The first step was to persuade the citizens of Colorado Springs to buy land which, if the city was successful in its bid, would be of- fered to the government for a cantonment area. The best choice seemed to be the 5,533 acre Cheyenne Valley Ranch, just south of Colorado Springs. It was ultimately purchased by the city for $36,500.

At the same time, city planning engineers moved to gain addi- tional water resources and power- generating facilities for a camp.

Almost immediately, squabbles arose among the town’s residents over whether the proposed camp would bring disaster to the town’s water supply. A few irate citizens protested that their peaceful town would never be the same.

But, many saw a need for dramatic change. A survey in 1940 indicated that 1,500 homes in Colorado Springs were vacant. Additionally the war in Europe threatened the town’s tourist trade, its prime source of income. Without change, the economic future of the city looked bleak.

Next, the War .Department had to be persuaded. Despite intense competition for the camp. Law, Jardine, Lowell and Dwire counted heavily on the fact that the climate of Colorado Springs was ideal for year-round training. Where else, they maintained, were the summers so invigorating and the winter snows so temporary?

Even though they offered what they believed were strong incen- tives, the tightly-knit committee needed help. Two men whose abilities were uniquely suited to the needs of the committee, |. Chase Stone, a New Yorker by birth and a banker whose diplomacy proved invaluable, and Charles L. Tutt, then head of the Broadmoor Hotel, contributed heavily to the team effort.

The group became a formidable organization for selling Colorado Springs. No avenue was left unex- plored, no detail overlooked to in- crease the appeal of Colorado Springs.

3

Appeals went out to Colorado Senators Alva B. Adams, a member of the War Department Subcommittee on Appropriations, and Edwin C. johnson, later Governor of Colorado. The help of Assistant Secretary of the Interior Oscar Chapman, also a Coloradan, and newly-elected Representative j. Edgar Chenoweth was also solicited.

That summer, crews from the U.S. Corp of Engineers, Omaha District, were sent to Colorado Springs to survey Cheyenne Valley Ranch. The crews encountered trouble within the first few days when they discovered the area had a huge rattlesnake population. The engineers favored calling the survey off and reporting that the land was unsuitable for soldiers. Only after someone observed that "rattlesnakes move out when men move in " did the engineers submit a favorable report.

On several occasions. Law and Stone went to Washington D.C., staying as long as was necessary to solve a variety of problems which threatened the project, jar- dine and Dwire were frequent visitors there as well. By then, the men were bound by a determina- tion that Colorado Springs would be selected.

The death of Senator Adams on December 1, 1941 was a severe blow. Without his backing it was feared that past efforts might have been in vain. Stone moved to Washington as the selection date for the site drew near.

Not until all investigations were completed did the War Depart- ment decide in favor of Colorado Springs, and then only after the disaster at Pearl Harbor made a decision imperative.

On February 22, 1942, Colorado Springs papers reported the camp would be called Camp Carson in honor of Brig. Gen. Christopher "Kit” Carson, the famous fron- tiersman. The original military reservation consisted of 60,078 acres of land, 5,533 was donated by the city of Colorado Springs, 29,676 was purchased from private owner, 262 were acquired from the Department of the In- terior and 24,577 were leased from the state of Colorado.

Thus ended months of hopes, doubts, frustration, travel and fatigue borne by the few who refused to swerve from their goal, to lead their beautiful resort town from oblivion to economic stability.

Despite threats of closure after the war the camp was declared a permanent fort in 1954, and in 1964 it was enlarged to more than twice its original size.

With its growth, the Mountain Post has increasingly benefited the community, and an inter- dependence has developed between Ft. Carson and Colorado Springs.

just as important is the steady influx of culture and intellectual enterprise channeled into the city by former military families who fell in love with Colorado Springs.

4

Camp Carson Founders

(Photo courtesy of Mrs. ). Edgar Chenoweth)

J. EDGAR CHENOWETH (August 17, 1897 - lanuary 2, 1986)

Former Representative of Colorado's Third Congressional District

’judge ” Chenoweth was born in Trinidad, Colorado. He was admit- ted to the Colorado State Bar in 1925 and opened a law office in his town the following year. He served as a County Court judge from 1933 to 1940, when he was elected to represent the state's third congressional district in Congress. He took office in Washington, D.C., in January 1941. judge Chenoweth’s tenure in Con- gress spanned 22 years.

During that time, he worked to upgrade the status of Carson from camp to fort, and was prime fac- tor in the establishment of the other military bases in Colorado Springs. After leaving Congress, Chenoweth re-established his law practice in Trinidad and maintained the practice until two weeks before his death. All his life judge Chenoweth worked for his beloved state. He has been referred to as a "living legend. ” Fort Carson personnel thought so highly of him that October 2 1 , 1983 was declared judge j. Edgar Chenoweth day in his honor.

5

RUSSELL D. LAW (August 15, 1893 - December 2, 1979)

(Photo courtesy of Law's daughter,

Mrs. William A. Baker)

A Colorado Springs native and self-styled "small-town businessman, ” Law always showed concern for his community and national affairs. He produced not only the idea, but the dynamic leadership and dogged effort that resulted in Ft. Carson. Drafted to head the Chamber of Commerce for 1941, he revitalized that body and originated the "stockholder" concept while pushing to achieve a solution for the town's economic problems. During World War II, he was assigned to the Maritime Commission's Price Adjustment Board, first in Washington, D.C., then in Egypt and later in the South Pacific. A decade later, he would become instrumental in at- tracting the Air Force Academy as well as other military installations to the region.

REAR ADMIRAL DOUGLAS C. lARDINE (USNR RET. August 17, 1891 - )

(Photo courtesy of Douglas C. lardine)

Douglas C. jardine's appoint- ment to the four-man committee stemmed from the knowledge of large-scale construction and the water problems of Colorado. Born in Streator, Illinois, he has been a resident of Colorado Springs since he was two years old. His lifetime of public service, along with a 60-year career in the construction business, includes a seven-year term on the Colorado Springs City Council. He began his military career in World War I as an enlisted man in the Navy. By 1943, his record earned him a Naval Reserve commission and command of Construction Bat- talion III (Seabees). Before the Se- cond World War ended, he had taken part in the Normandy Inva- sion and served in the Philippines and Borneo. From 1945 until his retirement from the Naval Reserves in 1955, he commanded Construction Battalion 930 in Col- orado Springs.

6

J. RAYMOND LOWELL (April 8, 1885 - October 24, 1963)

(Photo courtesy of the First National Bank)

A well-known businessman and native of Blackhawk, Colorado, J. Raymond Lowell’s place on the four-man committee was intended as a political balance, his big chal- lenge was as chairman of the Commerce Businessmen’s Commit- tee. This group represented men whose donations of $28,000 financed the quest for a military installation in Colorado Springs. This was a large sum to come from such a small group during post- depression times. As months went by with no reassurance from Washington, many of the donors had misgivings that their money might be lost. It was Lowell’s job to keep the men informed on the progress of their investment. His reassurance and unwaivering in- sistence that all would be well kept troubled waters calm during that worried year.

DR. GEORGE ). DWIRE (1895 - 1970)

(Photo courtesy of Mrs. George J. Dwire)

A dentist from North Dakota,

Dr. George Dwire served in World War 1 as an enlisted man. Tuber- culosis brought him to Colorado Springs to recuperate at Cragmoor Sanitorium. As his health improv- ed, he was named managing director of the $1.5 million hospital. In 1964, he was in- strumental in the decision to turn the property over to the Universi- ty of Colorado for the Colorado Springs Extension Center. The library and science hall, com- pleted in 1971, is named in his honor. Dr. Dwire served as presi- dent of the Colorado State Dental Association and as vice-president of the Colorado State Board of Health. In 1959, the Colorado Public Health Association honored him with the Sabin Award for outstanding services to public health. That same year he received the Waring Award for his work in tuberculosis. Extremely knowledge- able and a loyal Democrat, he lent an intangible strength to the chess- like bid of a Republican state asking a Democratic Washington to build a camp in Colorado.

7

H. CHASE STONE (March 5, 1900 - October 9, 1966)

(Photo courtesy of the First National Bank)

H. Chase Stone was born on Staten Island, New York. He was a high school student when World War I broke out. He enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned. By the time the war ended, he was 1 8 years old and a lieutenant senior grade. In 1924 he graduated from Cornell University and learned that he had tuber- culosis. He regained his health in Colorado Springs and made the city his home. Neither his age nor his past medical history kept him from serving during World War II as Mediterranean director for War Shipping and later as director of the Recruitment and Manning Divi- sion. Avoiding personal acclaim, he often identified himself simply as "the white-haired civilian in the rumpled grey suit." The guiding force behind the center named for him in Colorado Springs, Stone's unusual abilities were summed up on a plaque there: "Unique as a mover of ideas and people. "

CHARLES L. TUTT (January 9, 1889 - November 1, 1961)

(Photo courtesy of the First National Bank)

A native of Colorado Springs, Tutt’s education on both coasts gave him an insight into the differ- ing points of view of Easterners and Westerners of his generation. Tutt put his ability to work in 1941 to serve the cause of his beloved town. His trump card was the incomparable hospitality of the Broadmoor Hotel, which he headed. When reports drifted back that influential easterners, many of whom had never been west of the Mississippi, opposed locating a cantonment in Colorado Springs because of "unsuitable climate," Tutt offered to become the committee's unofficial host. Thereafter, anyone associated with military affairs who visited here was his personal guest. After a few rounds of golf on the Broad- moor links and the red-carpet at- mosphere of the renowned hotel, his guests usually went away satisfied that Colorado Springs was indeed "the land of sun. " A powerful businessman whose keen insight helped direct banking, copper, sugar and railroad em- pires, he left a perpetual bequest for worthy causes through the El Pomar Foundation.

Construction

Committed to war, the United States was desperate for trained soldiers. Camp Carson was to help meet that need. Construction mov- ed ahead with surprising speed.

Specifications had been com- pleted for bids by mid-January. Of the three bids received, the lowest~$3 1 ,500,000~was submitted by Colorado Springs Construction, Incorporated. Even though it was the lowest, the bid was con- sidered high and had to be reduc- ed to $30,054,390 before it was accepted.

The contract was signed February 14, 1942, in Omaha, Nebraska. Signing the document were the heads of five firms which had teamed together as one cor- poration. The firms were the Ed- ward H. Honnen Construction Company of Colorado Springs; Peter Kiewit and Sons of Omaha; Condon-Cunningham Construction Company of Omaha; C.F. Lytle Company of Sioux City, Iowa; and Thomas Bates and Sons of Denver.

Each company had proven its capability. Kiewit and Condon- Cunningham were recognized nationwide for their experience with large projects. The Bates Company brought experience in hospital construction. Lytle was expert in job management, Hon- nen specialized in grading and earthwork.

Camp Carson, 1942 (Photo courtesy of Andy's Photo Lab)

The concept of a "package ” of contractors rather than one large company was fairly new. It had been conceived by bonding com- panies prior to construction of Boulder Dam to reduce liability risks in event of death or financial loss. Within the framework of the contract, each company was responsible for only the percen- tage it agreed to perform.

Honnen, a native Coloradoan, was named contractor/sponsor of the project. His experience includ- ed work on an Army installation at Cheyenne, Wyoming and com- pletion of construction at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. At the time he undertook the Camp Carson project, he was engaged in the construction of Peterson Field, east of Colorado Springs.

By January 31, 1942, the first building on the new camp site was completed -a headquarters built by the U.S. Army Engineer Office of Omaha.

With a luly 13 deadline, Honnen ordered his heavy grading equip- ment moved onto the site the day before the contract was signed. Huge floodlights were set up and work went on around the clock despite the winter weather. Some grading and other tasks that did

not require daylight hours were done at night. Carpenter shops were open 24 hours a day to allow as much prefabrication as possible. To avoid unnecessary grading, the camp was designed to conform to the contour of the land, accounting for the "banana " shape of the post. As fast as one area was leveled, workers hauled pre-cut lumber to the building sites. It was the extensive use of prefabrication units that allowed the buildings to rise so rapidly, despite severe winter and heavy rains in April and May. In one two-week period, crews finished a large segment so quickly that a Kiewit representative was sent from the firm's home office to verify the achievement.

At the construction's peak, near- ly 1 1 ,500 workers were employed, many of them having moved here from neighboring states. The Colorado Springs Bus Company bought a fleet of new buses to provide transportation for workers. Even so, a solid line of privately owned automobiles poured in and out of the construc- tion area.

As the tempo increased. Moun- tain States Telephone and Telegraph Company joined in the

10

activity, hurrying to keep pace with the demand for communica- tion. The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad laid a spur con- necting the warehouse district with Kelker, Colorado; lines for electricity rose with precision and gas, water and a city-sized sewer system went underground.

One critical problem was keep- ing enough building material on hand to keep production at full

payroll for the entire period amounted to $7,468,175.33.

The first segment of two-story frame buildings was turned over to the Army on lune 2, about six weeks before the july 1 5 activa- tion of the 89th Infantry Division. The division itself was ready ahead of schedule as advance par- ties of soldiers had been arriving since May.

Facilities were provided for

Over 1 1 ,500 people were employed at the peak of construction of Camp Carson.

speed. Carson was only one of many installations being built, and lumber and pipe were in short supply. By April 1 , the list of materials ordered but not receiv- ed reached the $20 million mark.

Signs urging the workers to "Work, boys! We ll drown 'em in our sweat!" and "Nail down the planks“Here come the Yanks!" boosted morale and stepped up production even more. The

35,173 enlisted men, 1,818 of- ficers and 592 nurses. Nearly all the buildings were of the mobiliza- tion type construction with wood siding exteriors. The hospital was of the semi-permanent type con- crete block, and had space for 1 ,726 beds with the capability of expansion to 2,000 beds.

Shortly before the contract deadline, the Army requested ad-

11

ditional construction to house a prisoner of war internment camp, plus barns to shelter 3,310 horses and mules. Needed along with the barns were more barracks for the additional men. The supplemental contract raised the original cost to approximately $4 1 million and ex- tended the completion date to November 4. All work was completed within the required time.

A "renegotiation" clause was in- cluded in the contract as an emergency measure that gave the government the privilege of a complete audit of all expenditures after work had been finished. It was accepted as a way of arriving at an overall cost which was fair

to both the government and the contractors.

If the audit showed that the con- tractor had been unable to operate at the agreed minimum profit, he would be reimbursed by the government. On the other hand, if construction costs amounted to less than the con- tract price, the contractors were obliged to refund all monies above the stipulated profit.

The skill and experience the five companies brought together under Colorado Springs Construc- tion, Incorporated, enabled them to not only meet the imposed deadlines but also to refund nearly $2.5 million to the government.

Buildings rose rapidly at Camp Carson in the spring of 1942.

12

Camp Carson

The War Years

With the acceptance of the first buildings by the camp com- mander, Col. Wilfrid M. Blunt, the war-time post was in business.

Two days later, on june 4, 1942, Maj. Gen. William H. Gill arrived to assume command of the 89th In- fantry Division. The first troops of the 89th arrived from lefferson Barracks, Missouri on )une 1 5 and one month later the division was activated.

During World War II, a total of 104,165 soldiers trained at Camp Carson. Along with three other in- fantry divisionS“the 71st, 104th and 10th Mountain, more than 125 units were activated at Camp Carson and over 100 other units were transferred to the mountain post from other installations. The camp trained nurses, cooks, mule packers, tank battalions, a Greek infantry battalion and an Italian Ordnance Company-soldiers of any and every variety. Toward the end of the war, after the depar- ture of the divisions and establish- ed units. Camp Carson trained replacement troops and provi- sional companies. The peak troop strength of the installation was in late 1943 when approximately 43,000 military personnel were stationed at the camp.

Soldiers of the 89th Inf. Div. take a break outside their company orderly room, summer 1942. (Photo courtesy of Irving T. Lipman)

The "Banana Belt " at Fort Carson, summer 1942. (Photo courtesy of Irving T. Lipman)

13

Soldiers attack the 89th Division commando course.

"Liberty or death " was the battle cry of the Greek battalion, shown here passing in review.

14

The Army Mules

The first shipment of Army mules arrived here by train from Nebraska on July 30, 1942. The men of the 604th and 605th Field Artillery (Pack) had to take the wild mules and break and train them to carry a field pack over almost inaccessible terrain. It took six to eight weeks to break in a mule and the battle could be spec- tacular.

The mule was first trained to the feel of the rigging. Later, heavier and heavier packs were placed on him until he got used to the load.

Almost every Army unit has a

goldbricker and so did the mules. His name was Useless. He was assigned to 602nd Field Artillery and they tried to turn him into a good "soldier”, but it was useless. He was a pack mule. Then he became a messenger mule. Then he was hitched to a wagon and used to draw hay. But even hay hauling was too much for Useless.

The mules even contributed to the construction of the NORAD Combat Operations Center. Two were hired to haul in areas beyond the reach of machines. The mules were paid $40 each while their keepers were paid $2.

Mule barn area at Camp Carson.

15

Hambone, the white mule in the photo, carries his First Sergeant over Lite Pass.

Hambone

No Story of Army mules is com- plete without a brief note on Hambone. Hamilton T. Bone was the pride of the 4th Field Artillery Battalion (Pack). Year after year, he carried the first sergeants of the 4th up Ute Pass to Camp Hale or along the foothills of the Rockies to Cheyenne, Wyoming for the Frontier Days Rodeo. His silvery-white coat and entertaining antics as a jumper won him fame in July 1949 when Life Magazine printed a feature story on the four-footed soldier.

After serving 1 3 years at Car- son, Hambone was retired along with his hay-burning buddies. He spent his retirement years as a star attraction with the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Pikes Peak Range Ride.

In the summer of 1970 Ham- bone showed signs of advanced age and was returned to Fort Car- son for the "last mile” a few months prior to his death on March 29, 1971. Feelings for Hambone ran deep, and his death made newspaper headlines locally. He was buried with appropriate military honors in front of Division Artillery Headquarters. The legen- dary Hambone is still acknowledg- ed as king of a great era. A memorial, made of stone quarried

on the reservation, was erected over his grave.

The saga of the Army mule and an Army tradition came to an end at Fort Carson on December 15,

1956, when Battery A of the 4th j

Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) was j

redesignated, and the 35th Quarter- |

master Company (Pack) was inac- J

tivated. More than 322 mules mar- j

ched into retirement to be replac- ed by helicopters. Until the mule barns were razed in 1970 to make way for a unique central maintenance facility, pack mules returning to the post for ceremonial events would head directly toward the familiar sur- rounding of their former stalls.

Helicopters phased out the Army mule.

16

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POWs had an economic impact on Camp Carson and Colorado.

17

The POW Camp

The internment camp, opened on the first day of 1943, was later redesignated a POW camp. Located just inside Gate 3 bet- ween the service and supply area and Highway 115, it originally housed 3,000 prisoners. In 1945, an additional 5,000 prisoners were housed in barracks located east of Pershing Field, in the area now occupied by Division Ar- tillery. A total of nearly 9,000 Ger- man, Italian, and some Japanese prisoners of war were interned at Camp Carson during World War II.

During 1944, POWs alleviated the manpower shortage in Col- orado by doing general farm work, canning tomatoes, cutting corn and aiding in logging opera- tions on Colorado's Western slope. They earned 80 cents a day. In the winter months at Carson, they worked in the Quartermaster Laundry and other places on and off post. About 3,650 POWs work- ed at 17 branch camps located throughout the state. At Camp Hale, near Leadville, about 400 of the most incorrigible members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's Afrika Corps were confined under tight security.

Each of the compounds of the camp had a canteen where prisoners could purchase personal necessities and a few luxuries. The prisoners built the canteens and

made their own furniture in a prison woodworking shop.

The prisoners also published their own newspaper, a 20-page mimeograph magazine-size publication called "Die PW Wdche. " The paper, printed in German, was staffed by seven of the internees. The staff had many American newspapers and magazines for reference purposes. Restrictions imposed on the paper were few. There was no board of censors as such, but Camp Carson personnel discussed the paper with the prisoners before it was composed.

A cemetery was set aside for POWs who died here. After the war, their bodies were shipped to Germany.

Only one POW strike is record- ed. The day after the war in Europe ended, Americans took all the food and cigarettes out of the canteen. The only items left were books and papers, and the POWs were decidedly miffed. The strike ended a couple of days later when the prisoners were told that if they returned to work, food and cigarettes would be returned to the canteen.

In January, 1946, there were still a large number of German prisoners at Carson. By July 2 1 , 1946, all had been returned to Europe or released.

18

This view shows the permanent buildings at Camp Hale in November 1947.

Camp Hale and Mountain and Cold Weather Training

Construction of Camp Hale, named for Brig. Gen. Irving Hale, began in April 1942 and was completed that November.

The camp, located about 20 miles west of Leadville, Colorado, was the first U.S. training post for mountain troops.

The Mountain Training Com- mand was activated at Camp Car- son on September 2, 1942, but was moved to Camp Hale in November, just in time for the ar- rival of the 10th Mountain Divi- sion.

An increased need for troops trained in the arts of mountain war- fare led to the formation of the 10th Mountain Division, a unit devoted to moving appropriate weapons

19

over mountainous terrain in any kind of weather. The 10th was in- itially trained by Norwegian General (then Colonel) Dagfin Dahl at Camp Hale.

In 1946, with the return home and deactivation of the 10th, the doctrine learned in combat and during previous years of ex- perimentation and training was kept alive by the creation of the Mountain Cold Weather Training Detachment at Camp Carson. The Army assembled at Carson the best of its civilian mountaineering technical advisors.

From 1947-51, training was ex- tended by the school and the Mountain Training Detachment to such units as the 14th and 38th Regimental Combat Teams. In ad- dition, a special battalion-level combat team for Operation Sweetbriar in the Sub-Artic, nine Ranger companies and many civilian components were trained.

Painful experience in Korea and realization of the scope of American commitments in Europe established the need for broader mountain training. This need was met by the Mountain Training

Two soldiers relax after constructing their shelter on Resolation Creek near Camp Hale in 1 948. 20

Command at Carson, which replaced the Mountain Training Detachment in December 1951.

The Mountain and Cold Weather Training Command was the only unit of its kind in the Army.

The mission of the MCWTC was two-fold: to provide technical assistance in mountain and cold weather training for selected in- fantry regiments and their suppor- ting units, and to develop moun- tain warfare doctrine, tactics and techniques by conducting exten- sive research and special projects in both summer and winter phases.

The foundation of all training for the command was the require- ment that troops be able to maneuver over the most rugged terrain in the worst weather. This demand was satisfied by inten- sified instruction in mountain walk- ing, balanced climbing, party (roped) climbing, cliff evacuation of wounded soldiers, rappeling, and construction of hauling lines and the use of ropes. Methods of supply by animals, man packs and the M-29 Cargo Carrier (Weasel) were taught.

Cold weather training focused on the problems of mobility over snow and survival under extreme winter conditions. Winter tactics and combat in extreme cold were also taught.

In 1953 and through part of 1954, the MCWTC trained a cycle of 330 trainees every six weeks. These hand-picked soldiers then passed on their knowledge to others.

In july of 1957, MCWTC was transferred to Fort Greeley,

Alaska, and Camp Hale became a training site for Carson ski teams. Camp Hale was declared excess to Army needs and closed in june 1965. In trade for Camp Hale, the Army acquired land on Carson's southern border.

Argentine Officers watch a demonstration of the "Weasel’' at Camp Hale, 1948.

Pfc. Holland selects his equipment in the cantonment area at Camp Hale, 1948.

21

Medical Services

Graduates of the Camp Carson Army Nurse Training Center pass in review.

To provide immediate medical care for Camp Carson’s soldiers, a Station Hospital was opened in Au gust 1942. With a 2,000 bed capacity and 1 1 square miles of floor space, the Carson Hospital Center was the largest in the country during WW 11. During their existence, the combined general and convalescent hospitals cared for more than 30,000 patients.

The staff consisted of three Women’s Army Corps (WAC) hospital companies, about 2,000 civilians, and hundreds of doctors.

nurses and medical corpsmen.

In the fall of 1945, a temporary separation center was established at the hospital. About 9,000 soldiers from installations in a four- state area were processed for discharge from the Army through this separation center.

In addition to being a general and convalescent hospital, Carson Hospital Center was a major train- ing center. The Army Nurse Train- ing Center, activated on October 23, 1943 trained more than 3,000 civilian nurses in Army nursing

An aerial view of the Camp Carson hospital complex.

22

techniques, in less than two years. A large number of field, evacua- tion and general hospitals, and med- ical ship platoons were activated, trained and shipped to ports of embarkation by Camp Carson.

When the war ended the Camp Carson Hospital Center was inac- tivated. In its place, the 400 bed Station Hospital continued treat- ment of patients scheduled to be released before May 31,1 946.

With the outbreak of the Korean War, the hospital was expanded to 1 ,500 beds. In addition to a greatly increased patient load, in July of 1951 it was asked to assist the Camp Carson Separation Center. In a little more than two years, hospital personnel were responsible for complete physical examinations of more than 100,000 soldiers.

23

Post War

Activities at Camp Carson were greatly reduced following World War II. Thousands of soldiers were sepa- rated from the service or sent overseas for occupation duty, units were inactivated, and the prisoners of war repatriated. By April 4, 1946, the military strength at the Mountain Post had dropped to around 600, not including 320 patients in the hospital. It ap- peared that Camp Carson would be closed. However, in mid-April 1946 the War Department an- nounced that the camp would re- main open and the troop strength increased.

The 38th Regimental Combat Team was transferred to Camp Carson at the end of April 1946 and the 6 1 1 th Field Artillery Bat- talion (Pack) arrived the following month.

During the next few years, the 14th and 39th Regimental Combat Teams, the 4th Field Artillery Bat- talion (Pack), the 1 1th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 3 1 3th Engineer Construction Group were stationed at Camp Carson. The 40th Field Artillery Group was formed here early in 1951.

The 38th Regimental Combat Team passes the reviewing box during the Colorado Springs Army Day Parade, 1948.

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SURGICAL CLINIC I

U.S. ARMY HOSPITAL

FORT CARSON COLORADO

NURSES QUARTERS

MENTAL INFO ur.nnu.RTPR^ HYGIENE OFC HEADQUARTERS

MORGUE

Families Come to Carson

During World War II, Carson was filled with soldiers who came here to be trained quickly before going overseas. There were no facilities for dependents. Families had to fend for themselves. By the late 1940s~with the war over- assignments stabilized. A large block of two-story barracks was converted into apartments for families of enlisted men. They were concentrated in an area near where the junior high school now stands. By the mid-50s Carson

25

was taking a hard look at existing structures that could double as housing for officers. The entire east wing of the hospital had been closed following the Korean War.

It was decided that there were enough empty wards to create 36 sets of officers quarters.

The quarters in the hospital were fairly large. The "apartment" occupied by the deputy post commander contain- ed 3,450 square feet and had nine bedrooms, nine baths and two kitchens.

Using every possible building on the post that could be turned

into service for quarters, housing officials permitted an enlisted man's family to live in one of the old Mary Ellen ranch houses. The family accepted the quarters despite the fact that the building had no utilities.

As familiar as we are with the modern Army post and facilities for families, many of these conve- niences are relatively new. Army Community Services, as we know it, was not created until the mid-60s. The first school, housed in a World War II building, open- ed in September 1954 and a perma- nent elementary school was started in August 1956.

Fire And Flood

This fire cost nine lives and $3,500,000 in damages in 1950.

27

Due to the dry climate, every year there are several fires on post. But only two have caused extensive damage. In January 1943 the post was hit by a fire blown by nearly hurricane force winds. In the POW camp area 23 buildings burned to ground. In all, the fire caused over $1 million in damages.

Seven years later, on January 17, 1950, the worst fire to strike the post started up in the Broadmoor area and was driven by 50 mile- an-hour winds eastward to Car- son. By 5 a.m., Carson troops were moved to the northern part of the post to fight the fire. Gusts of 80 to 90 mph vaulted the fire across Highway 115. Soldiers armed with nothing but burlap bags and pack shovels brought the flames under control in that area.

Post engineer bulldozers cut a fire break across the northern part of the post in front of the abandoned prisoner-of-war area. The flames leaped the cut and burned down the POW barracks. Between the POW buildings and some warehouses more than 33 buildings were leveled.

The winds then blew the fire all over the post: fires appeared where there were no men or equipment to fight them. By mid- morning, fire fighting equipment from surrounding towns and civilian volunteers came to Carson's aid.

The NCO housing area was evacuated, the families sent to Pueblo, Colorado. At one time it looked as if the Carson Hospital would have to be emptied. By noon the entire camp appeared in danger of being destroyed. At dusk the wind died down. By mid- night the fires were out. However, by that time 92 buildings were com- pletely destroyed and two others were heavily damaged. Damage cost was placed at $3 million.

Approximately 1 50 soldiers and civilians were treated for minor burns and an additional 2 1 hos- pitalized. One soldier died that day, and seven soldiers and one civilian died later of burns received fighting the blaze.

Nine streets at Fort Carson were named in honor of the victims of the fire. They were: Harley McCullough, a 1 4 year old junior high school student who answered a radio appeal for volunteers, WO William J. Tripp: Cpl. Kenneth Watson: Pvt. Marvin Tevis:

Pvt. Lawrence El well: Cpl. Bobby Coleman: Pvt. William Rau: Pvt. Robert Moore: and Pvt. Joseph A. Weston.

Probably the worst disaster in the history of Colorado occured in June 1965, when a flood caused pro- perty damage in excess of $ 1 00 million and the loss of several lives. Although the damage to Fort Carson was not great, troops

28

and equipnnent were used to aid suffering civilians and to assist in flood control.

Hundreds of troops worked night and day until the flood sub- sided. Helicopters evacuated thousands of stranded civilians, many of whom were given medical care in the Fort Carson hospital. Food, blankets, and cots were provided by the Army.

On the weekend of july 24-2 5, 1965, Carson was struck by a ma- jor flood, plus damaging and deadly flash floods. More than $160,000 in damage was done. A 20-foot crest washed out a bridge on B Street just outside Gate 4. Greatest damage was to the railroad spur to Kelker.

Two walls of water washed out 450 feet of track. The NCO hous- ing area was damaged, and the northern part of the fort was covered with mud and silt.

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Butts Army Airfield

In early 1949 landing an aircraft at Camp Carson was extremely hazardous. A bumpy dirt strip on the edge of the post was the only facility available. Often dust decreased the visibility to zero. Appropriations in the fall of that year allowed for the bulldozing of a new dirt strip and construction of a small wooden operations shack. However, aircraft maintenance had to be done in the open and the wind still made landing and taking off hazardous.

As a result of the uncertain con- ditions at the Carson strip, the first Army aircraft operated by post personnel were based in a single hangar at Peterson Field.

In 1954, air operations were moved to an area now in NCO housing. Winds of 60 knots or bet- ter were common place, making the approach over the hospital complex, extremely tricky. There were no hangars. When high winds came up, trucks had to be parked beside the aircraft to protect them.

Two years later, air operations were again relocated, this time to a mesa strip adjacent to todays' Butts Army Airfield. There was one building on Mesa Air Strip, but it was rundown. Eventually a T-shaped pre-fab hangar was constructed; by the time of completion it was obsolete.

Appropriations for modern im- provements were made in the fall of 1963. Three years and nearly $3 million later, Butts Field was a modern airfield.

30

as taken in 1968.

31

Carson and the Movies

Robert Mitchum discusses the finer points of movie making with the editor of the Camp Carson "Mountaineer. ”

The filming of the RKO picture The Korean Story, " later named "One Minute to Zero ", gave the post a few lighter moments in 1951. Starring Robert Mitchum, the story told the saga of an American Army officer in the early stages of the Korean War.

Fort Carson was chosen due to the similarity of the terrain to that in Korea. The engineers built bridges, roads and constructed a 4000-foot runway. Transforma- tion of the site, three miles south of the main gate near Highway 115, was complete from straw thatched huts to muddy, water- soaked rice paddies. Hundreds of Mountain Post infantrymen were cast as UN troops.

Parts of two other major movies were shot at Fort Carson. The BBC production of "The Oppenheimer Story " in 1980, and a movie about Marilyn Monroe shot in the early 1980"s.

Site used for Training

Following the movie, the area was used as a realistic training set- ting for troops bound for Korea. The Korean Valley was one of three realistic training sites con- structed at Carson for soldiers preparing for an overseas war.

The swastika flew above Carson ground and American troops were fired upon by live ammunition during World War II at the village of Beauclaire. Constructed by the 89th Division, in 1 3 days, it was a replica of the French village of Beauclaire, captured by the divi- sion in World War I. Built to pro- vide realistic training in house-to- house and street fighting, it was attacked from different points so that no two attacks were identical. The attackers were after the swastika on the courthouse: when it fell, the battle was won.

With the Vietnam War requiring realistic preparation. Bung Cong Village, the third training area, was constructed. Booby traps and mines were stressed at all eight stations in the village. Troops ex- perienced combat tactics with a combined armored personnel carrier and helicopter assualt.

Soldiers depart the Vietnam training center.

This is a view from "Gestapo Headquarters" at Camp Carson as soldiers from the 89th Infantry Division attack.

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The Army Dog Training Center

The Army Dog Training Center at Fort Carson was the only train- ing installation for military canines in the United States. The center was located on the Mary Ellen Ranch, within the confines of the Carson reservation.

The dogs, in training for eight to twelve weeks, graduated in one of three MOS’s-scout, messenger or sentry. Messenger dogs had two handlers and were trained to run from one man to another upon command. They were capable of carrying messages, food, ammuni- tion and medical supplies under all conditions.

Scout dogs were trained to work with line units where their sense of smell would detect the enemy. Sentry dogs were the only type taught to attack men. They were trained at Carson to patrol a given area such as a warehouse or am- mo dump and attack any intruder who entered their post. Fort Car- son lost the Army Dog Training Center, in 1957 when the job of training sentry dogs was trans- ferred to the Air Force.

Cpl. Richard H. Smith, an instructor at the Dog Training Center, tests a "trainee ” in the sentry MOS.

A Dalmation war dog carries water and supplies.

Sgt. Gordon McClaugharty, an instructor at the Dog Training Center, conducts a class in obedience during "dog ’ basic training, February 1953.

4

The Korean War

With the advent of the Korean War, activities at Carson were in- creased. A large number of Reserve and National Guard units were called to active duty and sta- tioned at the Mountain Post. The largest of these was the 196th Regimental Combat Team from the South Dakota National Guard, which arrived at Carson in September 1950. Also stationed at Carson were more than 20 engineer and artillery battalions and miscellaneous companies and detachments.

The Camp Carson Separation Center was activated on July 5, 1951. It had the responsibility for separating Korean War veterans from the service or transferring them to other installations in the United States. By the end of 1953 the center had processed more than 100,000 soldiers.

A basic trainee from Co. B, I Ith Armored Cavalry Regiment crosses a gully on the close combat course, April 1953.

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Camp Carson Becomes Fort Carson

Colorado Springs was just begin- ning to pull out of the early 1950s' recession when the word came that Carson was to become a fort. In the wake of President Truman’s abrupt termination of the Korean War and subsequent budgetary cuts, it wasn't believed that Carson could survive, even as a fort. It was true that the 3 1 st (Dixie) Division had been transfer- red in February 1954 from Camp Atterbury, but that was only because Atterbury was closed.

The 3 1 St was redesignated as the 8th Infantry Division on June 15, 1954. During 1955 the 8th "Golden Arrow'' Division trained more than 25,000 soldiers for other units in the United States and abroad.

In spite of the nation’s emergence from war to peace, there were approximately 25,000 troops here, plus about 2,000 civilian employees. On the other hand, no new construction had come along to indicate which direction the post might take.

As far as the government's in- vestment in buildings was con- cerned, in 1954 the Army could have scrapped every structure on post without incurring the censure of a single taxpayer. All buildings on post had long since passed their life expectancy of five years.

The first inkling that Carson might become a fort was contain- ed in a newspaper article which stated that Congress had authoriz- ed $13,427,000 for construction of 1 ,000 family quarters, the first on post. At the same time a new NCO mess was announced. Con- gress also approvd $3,582,000 for new barracks and BOQs.

In 1954, when Carson became a fort, the town of Colorado Springs cheered. Many remembered the bleak economy of the pre-war days, when jobs were few, houses stood vacant, and summer income from tourists had to stretch across a long winter. With permanent military payroll the prospects looked good. The joy did not last.

The 8th Division went to Germany, under "Operation Gyroscope,” and traded posts with the 9th Division in 1956. The 9th Division reorganized and went Pentomic, acquiring a nuclear capability. Regiments were retired and battle groups formed into brigades. An active training center continued to turn out new soldiers. By February 1960, the 9th Division had trained approximately 85,000 recruits and 17,000 advanced individual trainees since its arrival at Carson.

Then came the cutbacks. The Korean War was history, the Department of Defense coped with budget cuts, and the nation stacked arms.

Just as tales of rattlesnakes and knee-deep year-around snow had almost stopped "Camp Carson” in 1941, so reports of high respiratory ailment rates in Col- orado Springs came close to wip- ing Carson out in 1958-59. Carson

had a flu epidemic and 1 ,000 people were in the hospital during that time.

Efficiency experts argued that Carson was off the beaten path, too remote from main transporta- tion arteries and population centers. Shipment of supplies and training of troops could be done much more economically at more central posts.

Proud units of the 9th Division were inactivated one by one.

When Brig. Gen. Ashton Manhart came to assume com- mand of the 9th Division and Fort Carson in May 1960, he found the ""Old Reliables” consisted of three men: himself, his aide and his driver. During 1960 and most of 1961, the 2nd United States Army Missile Command (Medium) was the only major unit at Fort Carson.

Houses were hard to sell, men transferred out of Carson were eager to unload their homes for closing costs. Security, which had been created only a few years before, seemed doomed to become a ghost town. The town braced for the worst as Forts Chaffee and Polk began closing operations. The McNamara list of base closings did, although not known at the time, include Fort Carson.

And then the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Blockade brought justification to reactivate two more divisions.

With the evaluation board when it came to Colorado Springs was Maj. Gen. John A. Heintges. He looked over the reservation and was impressed. The next morning, unable to sleep, he rose early at

37

the Broadmoor Hotel and took a walk. In the beauty of the Col- orado morning he decided that Carson should remain open.

Aboard the plane returning to Washington, over a game of poker, the members of the board talked. Maj. Gen. Heintges argued for keeping Fort Carson open and making it the home of one of the new divisions. Little did he know

that he would return within two years to command both the post and the division.

The manpower came from the 2d Missile Command, which had been transferred here from Fort Hood after the 9th Division was deactivated. The missile command was inactivated to man the Train- ing Center in August 1961. When the Training Center had turned out enough basic and advanced

A missile crew from the 2nd United States Army Missile Command prepares to fire a Corporal missile.

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Camp Red Devil was constructed by the 5th Inf. Div. to allow for better field training.

a total of 29,597, the 5th Infantry Division was formally reactivated, February 19, 1962. Brig. Gen. Ashton H. Manhart was its first commander. The Training Center was then transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The 5th was the Army’s first mechanized infantry division to be organized under the "ROAD” (Reorganization Objectives Army Division) concept.

The problems of training a mechanized division triggered the need for more land. In 1965, Fort Carson acquired 24,577 acres of state land (leased since 1942) by trading it for federal land located at the Lowry Bombing Range east of Denver. In 1965 and 1966, a total of 78,741 acres of land were acquired south of the original

reservation at a cost of approx- imately $3.5 million. This consisted of 45,236 acres purchased from private individuals, 22,694 acres of state land traded for more land at the Lowry Bombing Range, and 7,668 acres purchased from the Colorado School of Mines. An ad- ditional 2,871 acres were acquired without cost from the Department of the Interior in trade for Camp Hale. These additions brought Fort Carson to its current size of 138,523 acres.

On March 7, 1966, Camp Red Devil was opened. The camp was the first year-round training area at Carson for soldiers in a field en- vironment. The base camp, which could accommodate as many as 950 men, is located south of the main post off Highway 115.

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Vietnam War Period

Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) dug in a company defensive position, in the Republic of Vietnam, 1969.

Beginning in 1965 the war in Vietnam had an ever increasing impact on the Mountain Post.

Training for Southeast Asia became the priority at Fort Car- son. In 1966, 14,000 Carson-train- ed soldiers were sent to Vietnam. In 1967, 9,000 men were transfer- red and about 6,000 in 1968. Dur- ing the years 1965-1967, 61 units were activated at Carson. By far the largest unit transferred was the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Div- ision (Mechanized). The brigade, called "Task Force Diamond ", was airlifted directly to Da Nang in July 1 968 in the second largest airlift in history.

By the end of 1967 activities at Fort Carson had risen to a higher level that at any time since World War II. In October 1965 the military strength was 9,658; in March 1967 it was 24,735. The Army civilian strength went from 1,337 in March 1965 to 2,445 in July 1967. The economic impact of Fort Carson on the State of Col- orado rose from approximately $55 million in 1964 to $100 million in 1967.

Fort Carson has never been isolated from the rest of the na- tion. Events at the Mountain Post reflect the mood of the country

40

The 4th Infantry Division Colors leave Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Vietnam, as the division redeploys to Fort Carson on December 12, 1970.

and the Front Range. In the late 60s, relations between the post and the city of Colorado Springs hit an all-time low. This cor- responded to the growth in na- tionwide anti-war protests.

To add to the problem, racial problems were not unusual at Fort Carson. The situation was weathered with the combined ef- forts of the post commanders and Colorado Springs community and business leaders.

As the Vietnam War phased out, inevitable cutbacks again began taking place. In November 1970, the 4th Division, eight days senior to the 5th, was ordered to locate at Fort Carson. The real

significance of the announcement to the people of Colorado Springs was not so much which division would be based at Fort Carson, but that the Pentagon had decid- ed to keep the post open. The im- pact of the Mountain Post at that time was $200 million annually in the Pikes Peak Region.

M48A3 tanks of the 1st Battalion, 77 Armor 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) move out on Highway I in Vietnam, 1969.

41

Carson - 1970s to the Present

An Army medic conducts an eye clinic.

42

By January 1973, the economic impact of Fort Carson on the Pil<es Peal< area was over $340 million annually. The average military population was 20,400 and the post employed about 2,860 civilian workers. The aver- age soldier was changing and by June of that year more than 50 per cent of the troops at Carson were volunteers.

Women in the Army were part of the Mountain Post since its beginning, but it wasn’t until a WAC Company was organized in 1972 that they had any real impact on Fort Carson. Organized with one officer and seven enlisted soldiers, the company grew to 300 by the end of 1973, and more than 1,500 two years later.

Fort Carson, always an active and visible part of the Front Range, began to become even more involved with community relations programs. Project MAST or Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic, started in the summer of 1970, was a life saver on the front range. Other Army projects included a new hospital wing for the Navajo Indians at Crownpoint, New Mexico, a dam and reservoir for the San Isabel Scout Ranch and graded baseball diamonds-all constructed by Carson engineers.

Fort Carson undertook its most ambitious community relations program at Center, Colorado, 1 70 miles from the post in the San Luis Valley. Abandoned buildings were torn down, roads surveyed and resurfaced, an unsanitary dump closed, a new one built and the city hall restored.

Hundreds of soldiers par- ticipated, volunteering to work after duty hours in a variety of off- post projects. They cleaned up communities and worked with the Boy Scouts. When the El Paso County Legal Services Office was forced to cut its staff. Fort Carson volunteers rushed to fill the void.

43

Soldiers extended the linguistic resources of Fort Carson to the community by organizing and teaching a "law-enforcement in Spanish" course to local Anglo policemen. The effectiveness of the program attracted the atten- tion of agencies as far away as Los Angeles.

Soldiers worked with the Col- orado School for the Deaf and Blind, the Virgil Robbins Home for Boys, the Iglesia Head Start Pro- gram, the Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation Center, and many more. All of this in spite of record- breaking personnel turnover.

Far from sapping the combat readiness of the Ironhorsemen, the vigorous community relations program significantly enhanced in- dividual morale and espirit. In ad- dition, the individual and unit in- volvement in community relations paid visible dividends in training realism.

A Fort Carson engineer at work in Center, Colorado.

Hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers participated in a wide variety of community relations programs.

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VOLAR

An artist’s rendition of the new Fort Carson VOLAR barracks.

In the fall of 1970, Fort Carson was officially notified that it would be an initial test site for the Modern Volunteer Army concept. The 1 8-month field test, aimed at creating an environment conduc- ive to an all-volunteer Army, started at the Mountain Post in January 1971. The best of the test programs would be incorporated into Regular Army budgeted programs.

Initially Carson was awarded $5 million to support the test pro- gram. The money was used to in- crease recruitments and retain ac- tive soldiers by improving the quality of Army life. The list of VOLAR projects included: coffee houses, barracks cubicles and fur- niture, mobile classrooms, alcohol

and drug programs, outdoor recreational areas, an enlisted mens' council, a racial harmony council, a fine arts program, package ski trips, cash awards for achievement and an off-post guest house.

The overall VOLAR program, aim- ed at achieving a zero draft by Ju- ly 1 , 1973, had a major impact at Carson. Living conditions were im- proved. Pay was increased. Train- ing was upgraded and made more relevant. Communications were improved.

Communications played a vital role in VOLAR. The post newspaper. The Mountaineer, was augmented by other publications. A Spanish newspaper, Adelante, was published to reach individuals who spoke English as a second language. Soldiers’s Bag was for the troops and Over the Back Fence for the wives. A large number of organizations produced publications that were unique to their area of interest. The enlisted men's council made recommenda- tions to the command.

VOLAR ended officially at Fort Carson on June 30, 1972. A large number of VOLAR projects have been discarded, however many of them continue to have an impor- tant role in today’s Army.

45

Infantrymen from the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) move out in their armored personnel carriers at PCMS.

Pinon Canyon

During 1974, the need for addi- tional land for training began to receive considerable emphasis.

The plan was to acquire the need- ed land in yearly increments. The total, approximately 74,000 acres was located on the east and southwest border of Fort Carson. The citizens of the Pueblo area voiced considerable opposition to the expansion, particularly the proposed use of the Pueblo Reser- voir for amphibious training.

Carson’s efforts to obtain more training land involved con- siderable interaction with the local civilian communities. Following public hearings, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed a 1 2-member committee to report in the spring of 1976.

Due to additional Department of the Army requirements that all land expansion proposals be sup- ported by analytical study, a com- prehensive study to analyze the division’s needs was completed in 1978. The study determined that a 129,000 acre shortfall existed.

Additional offers were con- sidered by the Army. Pinon Canyon, consisting of 245,000 acres located some 100 air miles south- east of the fort, was selected.

The land purchase was completed September 17, 1983. The cost was approximately $26 million. An ad- ditional $2 million was used for relocation of 1 1 landowners and school bond relief. Approximately one-half of Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site was acquired by the legal process of condemnation.

46

PCMS was opened for training in the summer of 1985. The brigades of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) are rotated to the site for maneuver training and preparation for the National Train- ing Center at Fort Irwin, California. Possible expansion of the training site includes the construction of a dirt air strip, additions to the can- tonment area, and a vehicle maintenance facility.

The Environmental and Natural Resource Program for the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site is unique

within the Department of Defense. The operation of this important maneuver training site was planned to provide for the continuing balance between the military and national resource protection. The resource protection program is divided into six primary areas: the study and protection of wildlife; plant and soil conservation; water quality; the impact of training on archaeology and cultural resources; and the effect of sound on the environment in the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.

APPROXIMATE*" - ROAD MILES: 150

PUEBLO 97.500

^ALSENBURQ 6.500

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Growth and Change

Construction of what is termed permanent buildings did not begin at Fort Carson until after August 27, 1954 when the post was elevated to fort status-with one exception, an indoor swimming pool built in 1950.

Evans U.S. Army Community Hospital, 1986.

Since then, the face of the post has changed tremendously. Few of the World War II buildings re- main. The Evans Army Community Hospital, dedicated in june 1986, is an example of the growth and change at the Mountain Post.

48

Dedicated to the soldier and the Army family, the post offers the most complete social services found anywhere in the Army. Help in any form is available day or night by telephone.

Fort Carson and the 4th Infantry Division continue to become more effective with the development of new equipment and the evolution of Army doctrine. Starting in Fiscal Year '85, all divisions, in- cluding the 4th, began restructur- ing along the Army of Excellence design. Under AOE, the 4th Aviation Battalion, with the addi- tion of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry and the 4th Attack Helicopter Battalion, formed the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. With this and other changes in units and equipment, the division is rapidly evolving into an increas- ingly effective fighting force.

Not only has Fort Carson re- mained mobile and ready to fight and win, but it has continued its involvement in the Front Range. This involvement includes support from men and women, material, equipment and labor in projects helping surrounding communities in the Pikes Peak Region and southern Colorado.

The soldiers of the Mountain Post continue the Domestic Ac- tions Program started in the 1970s. Building bridges, flying rescue missions, marching in parades, even serving pancakes to thousands for the annual Colorado Springs Pancake Street Breakfast. Carson soldiers, as individuals, con- tribute hundreds of off-duty hours as volunteers for local agencies.

In February 1974, the northeast corner of the fort, 1 70 acres of land, was deeded to Pikes Peak Community College for a new campus. The Community College in operation since the fall of 1976, is an example of the fort and com- munity working together to build a better life for the soldier and the civilian.

The Front Range has responded favorably to the soldiers of Fort Carson, as evidenced by closer cooperation and an improved relationship. Seven units have been adopted by cities in southeastern Colorado. The adop- tion program allows the communi- ty to better understand the Army and its mission through increased interaction between residents of these cities and soldiers of the Mountain Post.

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Camp and Fort Commanders

CORNELIUS F. O'KEEFE Lieutenant Colonel

May 15, 1942 - May 31, 1942

WILFRID M. BLUNT Colonel

lune 1, 1942 - April 22, 1946

WILLIAM K. HARRISON Brigadier General

April 23, 1946 -August 16, 1946

WILFRID M. BLUNT Colonel

August 17, 1946 - January 23, 1947

H.B. SHERMAN Brigadier General

January 24, 1947 -July 14, 1949

FRANK S. BOWEN Colonel

July 15, 1949 -January 14, 1950

ANDREW T. McANSH Colonel

January 15, 1950 -August 30, 1950

WALTER W. HESS. JR. Brigadier General

August 31, 1950 - April 1, 1952

EDWARD L. STROHBEHN Colonel

April 2, 1952 - May 18, 1952

GEORGE V. KEYSER Brigadier General

May 19, 1952 - January 26, 1954

WILLIAM W. DICK. JR. Brigadier General

January 27, 1954 - February 3, 1954

HARRY J. COLLINS Major General

February 4, 1954 - August 1 5, 1954

THOMAS L. HARROLD Major General

August 17, 1954 - October 1, 1954

THOMAS L. SHERBURNE Brigadier General

October 2, 1954 - November 16, 1954

JOHN G. VAN HOUTON Major General

November 17, 1954 - January 9, 1956

B.P. HEISER Brigadier General

January 10, 1956 - September 15, 1956

THOMAS WATLINGTON Major General

January 16, 1956 - September 5, 1956

WILLIAM W. QUINN Brigadier General

September 6, 1956 - November 4, 1956

HARRY P. STORKE Major General

November 5, 1 956 - September 9, 1957

JOSEPH B. CRAWFORD Brigadier General

Spetember 10, 1957 -March 16, 1958

MARTIN J. MORIN Major General

March 17, 1958 - April 6, 1959

RICHARD A. RISDEN Brigadier General

April 7, 1959 - March 28, 1960

CHARLES L. HEITMAN, JR. Colonel

March 29, 1960 - May 30, 1960

ASHTON H. MANHART Major General

May 31,1 960 - December 9, 1 962

JOSEPH R. RUSS Brigadier General

December 10, 1962 - January 28, 1963

JOHN A. HEINTGES Major General

January 29, 1963 - July 14, 1964

MILBURN M. HUSTON Brigadier General

July 15, 1964 - July 31, 1965

AUTREY J. MAROUN Major General

August 1, 1964 - November 30, 1966

CHARLES A. CORCORAN Major General

December 1, 1966 -April 30, 1968

DONALD H. McGovern Major General

May 1, 1968 - June 3, 1968

ROLAND M. GLESZER Major General

June 4, 1 968 - September 17, 1969

BERNARD W. ROGERS Major General

September 30, 1969 - December 9, 1970

JOHN C. BENNETT Major General

December 11, 1970 - August 25, 1972

JAMES F. HAMLET Major General

August 26, 1972 - October 14, 1974

JOHN W. VESSEY, JR.

Major General

October 15, 1974 -August 1, 1975

WILLIAM W. PALMER Major General

August 2, 1975 - October 15, 1976

JOHN F. FORREST Major General

October 16, 1976 - September 18, 1978

LOUIS C. MENETREY Major General

September 19, 1978 - September 11, 1980

JOHN W. HUDACHEK Major General

September 12, 1980 -July 30, 1982

T.G. JENES, JR.

Major General

luly M, 1982 - April 13, 1984

G.T. BARTLETT Major General

April 14, 1984 - june 5, 1986

JAMES R. HALL, JR.

Major General

june 6, 1 986

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Fort Carson Streets and Landmarks

Identified numerically in World War 11, many of Fort Carson's streets were renamed in honor of soldiers recognized for con- spicuous bravery from the Indian Wars to the Vietnam Conflict.

The main post shopping area was called "Founders Plaza " to honor Fort Carson’s "Founding Fathers”. Those civilian leaders who worked so hard to bring the Army to Colorado Springs.

Manhart Field was dedicated to Lt. Gen. Ashton H. Manhart, a native Coloradoan who was the last commander of the 9th Division at Carson and the first commander of the reactivated 5th Division. His command covered 3 1 eventful months from May 1959 to January 1963.

Pershing Field was named for General of the Armies john j. Per-

shing on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Roosevelt Field was named in honor of the 4th Division Medal of Honor recipient. Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, Ir. Roosevelt was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on Utah Beach.

Evans U.S. Army Community Hospital was named for Spec. 4 Donald W. Evans, Ir. A medic with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, he repeatedly and with a total disregard of personal safety, left his position to treat casualties and evacuate his wounded com- rades. Spec. 4 Evans was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously for his ac- tion in the Republic of Vietnam.

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ALLWORTH COURT: Named for Capt. Edward C. Allworth, 60th Infantry, 5th Division, World War 1, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for ac- tions in France, November 5, 1918. While crossing the Meuse River and canal, Capt. Allworth’s company became separated. Allworth plunged in- to the canal and led his men across under heavy enemy fire. Inspiring his men by example, he led them forward to join his hard-pressed advanced platoons. By his personal leadership he forced the enemy back for over a kilometer, overcoming machine gun nests and capturing 100 prisoners. His exceptional courage and leadership made possible the reestablish- ment of a bridge-head and the successful advance of other troops.

ALBANESE STREET: Named in honor of Pfc. Lewis Albanese, Company B, 5th Battalion (Airmobile) ,7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action December 1 , 1 966 in the Republic of Vietnam. Pfc. Albanese’s platoon, while advancing through densely covered terrain, came under intense automatic weapons fire from close range. As other members maneuvered to assault the enemy position, he was ordered to provide security for the left flank of the platoon. Suddenly, the left flank received fire from the enemy located in a wall-concealed ditch. Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades from the fire, he fix- ed his bayonet and marched aggressively into the ditch. His action silenc- ed the sniper fire, enabling the platoon to advance toward the main enemy position. As the platoon advanced, a pitched battle ensued in the ditch, Pfc. Albanese had entered. It was a well organized complex of enemy defenses designed to bring flanking fire on forces attacking the main position. Albanese advanced 100 meters along the trench and killed six snipers. He was mortally wounded when he engaged and killed two more enemy soldiers in hand to hand combat. His actions saved the lives of many members of his platoon and enabled his platoon to successfully advance against an enemy fare of overwhelming numerical superiority.

BARGER STREET: Named for Pfc. Charles D. Barger, Company L, 354th Infantry Regiment, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry near Bois de Bantheville, France, October 31, 1918. Pfc. Barger, on learning that two daylight patrols had been caught out in No Man’s Land and unable to return, on his own initiative and aided by another stretcher bearer, made two trips 500 yards beyond friendly lines under constant enemy machine gun fire and rescued two wounded officers.

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BARKELEY AVENUE: Named for Pvt David R. Barkeley, Company E, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor - killed in action November 9, 1918 near Pouilly, France. He volunteered with another soldier to reconnoiter a strong enemy position, swam a river under intense fire and secured the information.

BELCHER STREET: Named in honor of Sgt. Ted Belcher, Company C., I st Battalion, 1 4th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for action in Vietnam, November 1 9, 1 966. Sgt. Belcher was on a search and clear mission when the Reconnaissance Platoon was pinned down by fire from an estimated NVA battalion. As he was moving forward against the enemy, an enemy grenade landed direct- ly in front of his squad. Sgt. Belcher leaped to cover the grenade with his body, absorbing the blast. He saved the lives of his men at the cost of his own.

BELLRICHARD COURT: Named for Pfc. Leslie A. Bellrichard, Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for action in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, May 20, 1 967. When the enemy launched a human wave attack, he rose, hurled grenades and killed several NVA, causing the others to retreat. When the second assault streamed toward him, he pulled the pin on another grenade. Shrapnel hit him knocking him and the loose grenade into the foxhole. He threw himself over the grenade saving his friends. He then pulled himself into a sitting position and succumbed while empty- ing a magazine from the M16 into the ranks of the enemy.

BURRIS STREET: Named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Tony K. Burris, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on October 8, 1951 in the vicinity of Munding-ni, Korea. When his company encountered intense fire from an entrenched hostile force, Sgt. Burris charged forward alone, throwing grenades into the posi- tion and destroying approximately 1 5 of the enemy. On the following day, spearheading a renewed assault on enemy positions, he was wounded by machine gun fire but continued the assault, reaching the crest of the ridge ahead of his unit and sustaining second wound. Calling for a 57mm recoilles rifle fire, he deliberately exposed himself to draw hostile fire and reveal the enemy position. The company then moved forward and prepared to assault other positions on the ridge line. Burris, refusing medical evacuation, joined the unit in its renewed attack, but hostile fire halted the advance. He eased to his feet, charged forward and destroyed the first emplacement with its heavy machine gun and crew of six men. Moving out to the next emplacement and throwing his last grenade, which destroyed this position, he fell mortally wounded by enemy fire. His ac- tions inspired his comrades to overrun the enemy position and secure Hill 605, a strategic position in the battle for "Heartbreak Ridge. "

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BUTTS ROAD/BUTTS ARMY AIRFIELD: Named for Lt. john E. Butts, Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor in Normandy, France. Although painfully wounded |une 1 4 and 1 6 while spearheading an attack to establish a bridge-head across the Dove River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon. A week later, he led an assault on a stubbornly defended hill. As the attack was launched, he was critically wounded by German machine gun fire. Although weakened by his injuries he rallied his men and made a frontal assault alone to draw hostile fire upon himself. Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl forward until killed by direct fire within ten yards of his objective.

CAREY STREET: Named for Tech. Sgt. Charles E. Carey jr., 38th Infantry, who won the Medal of Honor at Rimling, France, january 8, 1945. He demonstrated inspiring leadership when he destroyed a German tank, captured 16 Germans in a house and led the rescue of two American squads after the enemy had overrun his battalion.

CARPENTER COURT: Named in honor of Capt. Louis H. Carpenter, 10th United States Cavalry. Capt. Carpenter won the Medal of Honor for his ac- tions October 15, 1868 and during a forced march, to relieve Forsyth’s Scouts, who were in danger of annihilation by superior Indian forces.

CHILES AVENUE: Named for Capt. Marcellus H. Chiles, 356th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor. On November 3, 1918, near Le Champy Bas, France, Chiles picked up the rifle of a dead soldier, called on his men to follow, and led them across a waist deep stream in the face of enemy machine gun fire. Although mortally wounded, he refused to be evacuated until his battalion took its objective.

CHRISTY STREET: Named for Sgt. William Christy, F Company, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. The 10th Cavalry first came under fire on August 2, 1 867 about 40 miles northeast of Fort Hays, Kansas, near the Sabine River. Company F was attacked by a band of 300 Cheyenne In- dians. The company was comprised of two officers and thirty-four men. During the six hour engagement, Sgt. Christy was shot and became the first combat death in the 1 0th Cavalry.

ELLIS STREET: Named for Sgt. Michael B. Ellis, 28th Infantry Regiment, who won the Medal of Honor (posthumously) in France in 1918. In ad- vance of his company he flanked an enemy emplacement, killed two and captured 1 7. Continuing, he advanced under heavy fire, captured two of- ficers, 25 men and six machine guns to hold up the enemy advance.

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EVANS STREET: Named in honor of 2nd Lt. William M. Evans, 47th Infan- try Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on lune 16, 1944, in France. Evans, while leading his battalion on a night march through enemy lines, was shocked by a concussion grenade. Although dazed, he single handedly attacked an enemy position, killing two, capturing four and the machine gun position.

FELKINS STREET: Named in honor of Capt. William C. Felkins, Jr., 387th Field Artillery Bn, 104th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) November 1, 1944. He led a patrol across a river into enemy territory against hostile troops and tanks, personally adjusted artillery concentrations that forced the withdrawal of enemy who had been isolated and had taken a heavy toll on an American battalion. He lost his life while preparing to continue the advance.

FLINT STREET: Named for Col. Harry A. Flint, 39th Infantry Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1944 in France. When enemy fire delayed the advance of his regiment he called for a tank. Mov- ing along its side far in advance of his assaulting battalion, he directed fire on heavily defended hedgerows and continued along to a group of buildings, personally firing at the enemy and urging his men to follow. He was killed by sniper fire.

FRANCIS LOOP: Named for Sgt. 1 st Class Frank L. Francis, 1 79th Aviation Co., 4th Aviation Bn., 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson.

FUNK STREET: Named for Pfc. Jesse N. Funk, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for con- spicuous gallantry near Bois de Bantheville, France, on October 31, 1918. Funk, on learning that two patrols had been caught in No Man’s Land and were unable to return, on his own initiative and aided by another stret- cher bearer, made two trips 500 yards beyond our lines under constant enemy machine gun fire and rescued two wounded officers. Funk was the first native of Colorado to win the Medal of Honor.

GARCIA STREET: Named for Staff Sgt. Marcario Garcia, Company B, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor near Grosshau, Germany, November 27, 1 944. While an acting squad leader he singlehandedly assaulted two enemy machine gun emplacements. Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun, and with his rifle killed three of the enemy who at- tempted escape. When he rejoined his company, a second machine gun opened fire and again he went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed three more

58

Germans, and captured four prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken. Only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care.

GENDUSA STREET: Named for Pfc. Frank ). Gendusa, Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism on September 1 , 195 I , in the vicinity of Mandae-ri, Korea. When his squad became pinned down by enemy sniper fire he charged forward, storming the sniper’s position with grenades and rifle fire. He cleared the way for his company to advance by eliminating the snipers and killing two enemy soldiers. He was later mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire.

GRANDSTAFF STREET: Named for Platoon Sgt. Bruce A. Grandstaff, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for action in Vietnam, May 18, 1967. He sprinted through intense fire to rescue one man and give aid to six who had fallen. During intensive action he was wounded in both legs. Armed only with grenades he crawled forward and destroyed an enemy machine gun, but suffered fragmentation wounds. Struggling back to his position, he found only eight men capable of continuing the fight. During the ensuing enemy thrust, he was killed by fragments from a B40 rocket. He and his force had killed I 19 of the enemy.

GRANT COURT: Named in honor of 1st Lt. Joseph X. Grant, Company A, 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in Vietnam, on November 13, 1966. He dashed through heavy fire to rescue three men, then dragged a platoon leader back to cover. Despite painful wounds he again left the perimeter for a wounded man, pinned down by machine gun fire. He crawled to the gun emplacement destroyed it with grenades, then helped the wounded man to cover. While aiding a badly wounded fellow officer, 1st Lt. Grant was killed by mortar fire.

HARE AVENUE: Named in honor of 1st Sgt. Dayton H. Hare, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, who was killed in action in Vietnam, January 25, 1967.

HARR AVENUE: Named for Cpl. Harry R. Harr, Company D, 124th Infan- try Regiment, 31st Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor and was killed in action on June 5, 1945 in the Philippine Islands. During a counterattack a Japanese grenade disabled his machine gun. While the crew was repairing the gun another grenade fell. Cpl Harr threw himself upon it. He was killed, but saved four of his comrades.

HELWIG COURT: Named in honor of Capt. Roger Helwig, Colorado Springs native and pilot in Vietnam, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action August 2 1 , 1970.

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HOGAN STREET: Named for 1 st Lt. Henry Hogan, Company G, 5th Infan- try Regiment who was awarded two Medals of Honor. The first was awarded for conspicuous gallantry at Cedar Creek, Montana, during the period October 1876 to lanuary 1877. The second was awarded for conspicuous gallantry at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana, on September 30, 1 877. He carried Lt. Romeyn, who was severely wounded, off the field of battle while under heavy fire from hostile Nez Perce Indians.

HUGHES COURT: Named in honor of Capt. |ohn S. Hughes, Advanced Team 64, U.S.M.A.C.V., who was killed in hostile action in the Republic of Vietnam on June 3, 1970

JOHNSON COURT: Named in honor of Spec. 5 Dwight H. Johnson, Com- pany B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor, 4th Infantry Division, who was award- ed the Medal of Honor for his selfless courage, January 1 5, 1968 in Viet- nam. Spec 5 Johnson left his immobilized tank in the face of overwhelming enemy fire. Having killed several enemy with a submachine gun and .45 pistol, he twice ran out of ammunition and was forced to kill another enemy with the butt of his weapon. After extricating a crew member from another tank, he struggled under heavy fire to reach his own tank once more where he remained, fully exposed and manning his gun, until the onslaught was halted.

KAROPCZYC CIRCLE: Named for Lt. Stephen E. Karopczyc, Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, March 12, 1967. Lt Karopczyc was leading his platoon when his point squad became engaged with a large NVA unit. After posi- tioning the platoon, an enemy round hit him above the heart. While stop- ping the bleeding with his hand, he functioned for six hours, during which time, they repulsed several human wave attacks. A grenade landed near two wounded soldiers, and leaving his position, he covered the grenade with a helmet, saving their lives. Weakened by the loss of blood, he died two hours later.

LINDSTROM STREET: Named for Pfc. Floyd K. Lindstrom, 3rd Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 1 1 , 1943 near Mignano, Italy. Pfc. Lindstrom saw that his small section was alone and outnumbered five to one. He immediately deployed the remain- ing men into position and opened fire with his single gun. Unable to knock out the enemy, Pfc. Lindstrom picked up his machine gun and moved for- ward, completely ignoring enemy small arms fire which was striking all around him. Realizing he could not hit the hostile gunner behind a large rock, he again charged uphill under a steady stream of fire, killed both gunners and captured their machine gun. His spectacular performance completely broke up the German counterattack. Pfc. Lindstrom entered the service from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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LONG STREET: Named for Sgt. Charles R. Long, 38th Infantry Regiment, who won the Medal of Honor in February 195 I near Hoensong, Korea. In the face of numerically superior enemy and under withdrawal orders, he voluntarily directed mortar fire until surrounded and mortally wounded. His action enabled Company M to counterattack.

MABRY COURT: Named in honor of Lt. Col. George L. Mabry, 2d Bat- talion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor for action in the Heurtgen Forest, Germany, November 20, 1944. While in command of the 3d Battalion he led his men through minefields and im- mobilizing hostile fire. Advancing into the mined area, he established a safe route of passage. He moved ahead of the foremost scouts, leading the attack, until confronted by a boobytrapped double concertina obstacle With the assistance of the scouts, he disconnected the explosives and cut a path through the wire. Racing up a slope ahead of his men, he found the initial bunker deserted, then pushed on to the second where he was con- fronted by nine enemy. Using the butt of his rifle, he felled one adversary and bayoneted a second, before his scouts came to his aid. Accompanied by the riflemen, he charged the third bunker under pointblank small-arms fire and led the way into the fortification from which he prodded six enemy at bayonet point. He then led his battalion across 300 yards of fire- swept terrain to seize elevated ground upon which he established a defen- sive position and provided his regiment a firm foothold on the approach to the Cologne Plain.

MAGRATH AVENUE: In honor of Pfc. John Magrath, 85th Infantry Regi- ment, 10th Mountain Division who won the Medal of Honor, in April 1945 near Costel d’Aiano, Italy. While his company was pinned down he charg- ed forward, killing two enemy, wounding three and capturing a machine gun. Using this gun, he neutralized two machine gun nests, killed six enemy soldiers and wounded three. He was killed delivering a report of this ac- tion .

MARTINEZ STREET: Named in honor of Pvt. loe P. Martinez who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action May 26, 1 943 on Attu in the Aleu- tians. Martinez urged his comrades on in the face of machine gun, rifle and mortar fire. Despite enemy fire on both flanks and from tiers of snow trenches in front, he led troops on and up, personally silencing several trenches. )ust below the rim of the pass, he encountered a final enemy trench and was firing into it when he was mortally wounded. His valor helped take Holtz-Chicago Pass ending hostile resistance in the Island. Pvt. Martinez was a native of Ault, Colorado.

McNERNEY STREET: Named for 1st Sgt. David H. McNerney, 1st Bat- talion, 8th Infantry, 4th Division, who won the Medal of Honor March 22, 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. While assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter, he encountered several enemy. He killed the enemy

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but was injured by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machine gun position that had pinned down five of his comrades. Upon learning that his commander and forward observer had been killed he assumed command of the company. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed, he crawled outside the perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Mov- ing through a fusillade of fire, he returned with the explosives. Disregar- ding the pain of his injury and refusing medical evacuation 1st Sgt. McNerney remained with his unit until the next day when the new com- mander arrived.

MINICK AVENUE: Named for Staff Sgt. john W. Minick, Company I, 1 2 I st Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor in action in the Heurtgen Forest, Germany, November 21,1 944. He advanced through a mine field, knocked out a machine gun, attacked an enemy company killing 20 and capturing 20, thereby enabling his platoon to advance. Then, after knocking out another machine gun, he was killed by a mine while leading his platoon.

MISTER STREET: Named for Pfc. Theodore Mister, 38th Infantry Regi- ment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on )une 13, 1944 at Min-des-Rondelles, France. Pfc. Mister, a company runner of an attack company, noticing two platoons were pinned down by enemy machine gun and mortar fire, moved among the men and then charged up an em- bankment straight toward the enemy, shouting; "Come on, follow me! " In- spired by his dynamic actions, courage and gallant example, the two pla- toons surged forward.

MOLNAR ROAD: Named in honor of Staff Sgt. Frankie Z. Molnar, squad leader Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Division who was awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously) for action May 20, 1 967. He killed five advancing enemy with his M 1 6 and braved heavy enemy fire to supply his men with ammunition, and went to the aid of a wounded man. He assisted other soldiers in carrying the wounded man to a waiting helicopter. When a hand grenade landed in their midst, he threw himself on it, saving the lives of his comrades at the expense of his own.

NELSON BOULEVARD: Named for Sgt. William L. Nelson, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor for action on April 24, 1943 at Djobel Dardys, Tunisia. Under intense enemy fire he so accurately directed the fires of his 8 1 mm Mortar Section that an enemy counterattack was stopped. Then, mortally wounded, he crawled within 50 yards of enemy positions and continued to direct fire until he died.

POLIO STREET: Named for Pfc. James V. Polio, 184th Infantry Division awarded the Distinguished Service Cross November 28, 1944. When his

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company was pinned down, Pfc. Polio, on his own initiative, crawled for- ward to the enemy machine gun position, wiping out the position with a ri- fle grenade. Using his rifle and hand grenades he wiped out a second machine gun position before being killed by sniper fire.

PORTER STREET: Named for Sgt. Donn E. Porter, 14th Infantry Regi- ment, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for action near Mundung-ni, Korea, September 7, 1952. In command of an outpost under attack by two enemy platoons, he killed 1 5 and dispersed the remainder. During a renewed attack he charged with fixed bayonet, killed six and routed the enemy, preventing a surprise attack on the main line of resistance.

PRUSSMAN BOULEVARD: Named for Pfc. Ernest W. Prussman, 1 3th In- fantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor. Pfc. Prussman was killed in action September 8, 1 944 near Les Coates, France. While leading his squad, he disarmed two enemy riflemen, destroyed a machine gun and captured its crew. Although mortally wounded, he threw a hand grenade which killed the last rifleman.

PUCKETT STREET: Named in honor of 1st Lt. Donald D. Puckett, 98th Bombardment Group, who won the Medal of Honor for action near Ploesti, Rumania, july 9, 1944. While taking part in a highly effective attack against vital oil installations the plane received heavy and direct hits from antiaircraft fire. One crew member was killed and six others severely wounded. The aircraft was badly damaged, control cables cut, the oxygen system on fire and the bomb bay flooded with gas and hydraulic fluid. Regaining control of his plane, Lt. Puckett turned its direc- tion over to his copilot. He calmed the crew, administered first aid and surveyed the damage. He positioned all guns and equipment, but the plane continued to lose altitude rapidly. Realizing that it would be impossible to reach friendly territory he ordered his crew to abandon ship. Three of the crew, uncontrolled from fright or shock, would not leave. He urged the others to leave. Ignoring their intentions to follow, he refused to abandon the three men and was last seen fighting to regain control of the plane. A few minutes later the flaming bomber crashed on a mountainside. Lt. Puckett was a native of Longmont, Colorado.

QUINN STREET: Named for Sgt. Alexander M. Quinn, Company A, 1 3th Infantry Regiment who was awarded the Medal of Honor at Santiago, Cuba, on july 1, 1898. At great risk to his life, Sgt. Quinn gallantly assisted the rescue of the wounded members of his unit from in front of friendly lines while under heavy enemy fire.

RAY CIRCLE: Named in honor of 1st Lt. Bernard J. Ray, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor November 1 7, 1 944 in the

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Heurtgen Forest. Germany. He was platoon leader with Company F, 8th Infantry during the drive through the Heurtgen Forest. The Americans met brutal resistance from positions spaced throughout the forest behind mine fields and wire obstacles. Heavy casualties were suffered by the company when it was halted by a concertina-type wire barrier. Under heavy fire he reorganized his men and prepared to blow a path through the entangle- ment, a task which appeared impossible and from which others tried to dissuade him. Determined to clear the way, he placed explosive caps in his pockets, obtained several bangalore torpedoes, and then wrapped a length of explosive primer cord about his body. He dashed forward under direct fire and prepared his demolition charge as mortar shells, which were being aimed at him, came steadily near his position. He had placed a torpedo under the wire and was connecting it to a charge when he was severely wounded. Apparently realizing that he would foil his self- imposed mission unless he completed it in a few moments, he made a supremely gallant decision. He completed a lasting wiring system and unhesitatingly thrust down on the handle of the charger, destroying himself with the wire barricade in the resulting blast. His sacrifice enabled his company to continue its attack.

ROARK STREET: Named for Sgt. Anund C. Roark, Company C, 1st Bat- talion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor May 16,1 968 in the Republic of Vietnam. When his squad was engulfed by enemy automatic weapons fire, he moved toward the enemy throwing grenades. When he began evacuation of the wounded, the enemy opened fire from all sides. When an enemy grenade landed in the middle of his squad, he threw himself on it, saving his men at the cost of his life.

SHEMIN COURT: Named for 1st Sgt. William Shemin, 4th Infantry Divi- sion, World War I.

SHERIDAN AVENUE: Named for Pfc. Carl V. Sheridan, Company E, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor. Killed in action November 26, 1944 at Fronsenburg Castle, Germany. In the face of intense fire of an enemy platoon, he crossed a courtyard with his rocket launcher, fired three rockets and broke down the barricade. Then, shouting to his company, "Come on, let’s get them, ” he rushed in and was killed.

SMITH STREET: Named for Pvt. Gerald E. Smith, 47th Infantry Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on |une 25, 1944 near Cherbourg, France. After leading a patrol into the enemy held city and returning with three German officers and invaluable data, he found a mine field in his company’s advance; cleared a path through the dangerous obstacle while under devastating artillery fire, then with fearless courage led the entire company through along the cleared path.

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SMITH STREET: Named for Staff Sgt. Elmelindo R. Smith, Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor for his ac- tions on February 1 1 , 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a recon patrol Staff Sgt. Smith's platoon was suddenly pinned down in a cross-fire. In a struggle to reach high ground, NVA assaulted on all sides resulting in a mounting toll of U.S. casualties. Although wounded four times. Staff Sgt. Smith summoned strength to stop an NVA drive, and forging ahead was thrown into the air by a B-40 rocket. After hitting the ground he crawled forward with ammunition, warning his men of approaching NVA. He suc- cumbed to his wounds while firing into the enemy.

SPECKER AVENUE: Named for Sgt. joe C. Specker, 48th Engineer Bat- talion (Combat), who won the Medal of Honor in action January 7, 1944 at Mount Porchia, Italy. He voluntarily assaulted a machine gun nest blocking his company. Although severely wounded, he silenced the machine gun nest and forced the snipers to withdraw. His platoon then ad- vanced and found him dead at his gun.

STUMPH ROAD: Named in honor of Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Stumph, squad leader, 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 25, 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sgt. Stumph made three trips to carry wounded comrades from in front of a hostile machine gun emplacement to safety. After maneuvering his squad into position and knocking out the first bunker with grenades, he dashed forward through more enemy fire and tossed a grenade into the bunker. The enemy returned it, forcing him to take cover. He pulled pins and released safety levers on two grenades, held them until the last moment, then destroyed the bunker and its oc- cupants, freeing the American unit to overrun the enemy.

TITUS BOULEVARD: Named in honor of Sgt. Charles Titus, 1st New Jersey Cavalry who won the Medal of Honor for his actions at Sailors Creek, Virginia on April 6, 1 865. His citation reads that he was among the first to check the enemy's counterchange.

THOMAS STREET: Named for Staff Sgt. George D. Thomas, 28th Infan- try Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in February, 1945 in Germany. Sgt. Thomas blasted a hole in another building and on the following day knocked out an enemy machine gun position. A short time later Sgt. Thomas was killed attempting to stop three tanks with bazooka fire.

VAN GIESEN STREET: Named for I st Lt. George T. Van Giesen, 1 04th In- fantry Division, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross November 8, 1944. While leading his men on combat patrol, his patrol

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was suddenly subjected to intense machine gun fire causing many casualties. With maneuver impossible, he ordered his men to withdraw while he remained behind to render first aid and move the wounded to safer positions. He was killed while performing this courageous act.

WARE STREET: Named in honor of then Lt. Col. Keith L. Ware, 1 st Bat- talion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division who won the Medal of Honor near Sigoilshuim, France on December 26, 1944. He found one of his assault companies had been stopped and forced to dig in by a concentra- tion of enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire. Realizing his men must be inspired to new courage, Lt. Col. Ware went forward 1 50 yards beyond the forward elements of his command and for two hours recon- noitered the enemy position, deliberately drawing fire upon himself which caused the enemy to disclose their positions. Returning to his command, he armed himself with an automatic rifle and advanced upon the enemy, followed by two officers, nine enlisted men, and a tank. Five of his party were casualties and he was wounded, but refused medical attention until this important hill was cleared of the enemy and securely occupied by his command.

WEATHERS STREET: Named for Capt. C.C. Weathers, 38th Infantry Regiment, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on June 9, 1944 in France. When intense enemy artillery pinned his company he courageously advanced in front of his company calling his men to follow. Inspired by their leader’s gallantry, the men began vigorous assault. He was killed after advancing but a short distance.

WETZEL STREET: Named for Pfc. Walter C. Wetzel, 1 3th Infantry Regi- ment, 8th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor on April 3, 1945 near Rirken, Germany. While guarding his platoon's command post in a house, the enemy, under cover of darkness, worked their way close enough to toss two grenades in the room. Shouting a warning, he threw himself on the grenades to absorb the blast, thus giving his life to save those of his comrades.

WICKERSHAM BOULEVARD: Named for 2nd Lt. J.H. Wickersham, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action September 12, 1 9 1 8 in France. While leading his platoon he was severely wounded in four places, but dressed the wounds of a soldier before accepting aid. He then led his platoon farther, firing his revolver with his left hand until he died.

WILLETT CIRCLE: Named for Pfc. Louis E. Willett, Company C, 1 st Bat- talion, 1 2th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division who was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery February 1 5, 1967 in the Republic of Vietnam. When his squad encountered a heavy volume of fire, Willett, using effective cov-

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ering fire in an attempt to free his squad, pinned down by enemy fire, was wounded several times. Aware the squad was still pinned down, he got up, disregarding painful wounds, dodged from position to position, harassing and destroying the enemy until he was mortally wounded. As a result of his actions his comrades were able ot withdraw to safety. Willett struggled to an upright position, and, disregarding his painful wounds, he again engaged the enemy with his rifle to allow his squad to continue its movement and to evacuate several of his comrades to the company posi- tion, saving lives at the cost of his own.

WOMACK STREET: Named for Pfc. Bryant E. Womack, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2 5th Infantry Division, who won the Medal of Honor - killed in action March 12, 1952 near Sekso-ri, Korea. As a medical aid man and seriously wounded he refused aid for himself and continued to aid others during a night combat patrol. Again wounded, losing his arm, he again refused aid for himself and directed first aid technique for the other wounded.

WOODFILL ROAD: Named for Lt. Samuel Woodfill, 60th Infantry Regi- ment, who won the Medal of Honor at Canel, France, October 12, 1 9 1 8. In advance of his company he attacked three enemy machine gun nests in turn, killing the enemy gunners with his pistol. Out of ammunition, he grabbed a pick and killed the remaining two at the third machine gun.

YABES COURT: Named in honor of 1st Sgt. Maximo Yabes, 25th Infantry Division, Vietnam, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on February 26, 1967 near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam. He used his body to shield his men from grenades thrown into the command post. Yabes then returned covering fire to enable others in the command group to relocate. He took a grenade launcher from a fallen comrade, fired point- blank to stop attacking Viet Cong, moved two wounded men to a safer position, resumed fire and killed several enemy, forcing others to withdraw. He was killed after assaulting and taking out a machine gun position. 1 St Sgt. Yabes trained at Fort Carson before leaving for Vietnam.

YANO STREET: Named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Rodney |.L. Yano who was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on lanuary 1 , 1 969 near Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. While performing the duties of crew chief aboard the troop’s command-and-control helicopter he delivered sup- pressive fire upon the enemy forces and marked their position. A grenade exploded prematurely, covering him with burning phosphorous and leav- ing him severely wounded. Burning fragments within the helicopter caused ammunition to detonate. Sgt. Yano, with complete disregard for his own welfare, began throwing blazing ammunition from the helicopter. In so do- ing, he inflicted additional wounds upon himself, yet he persisted until the danger was past.

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Fort Carson's Nine Divisions

Fort Carson has been home to nine proud infantry divisions.

From the 89th stationed at Camp Carson in July, 1942 to the 4th In- fantry Division (Mechanized) presently at the Mountain Post, a true heritage of honor and victory has been handed down.

4th Infantry Division (Mech) 1970 -

The 4th Division was organized December 10, 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina with a complement of regular Army units. Volunteers and selected service- men brought the division to full strength. In May 1918, the 4th arrived in France with its four infantry regiments--the 39th, 47th, 58th, and 59th, and the 13th, 16th, and 77th Artillery regiments, ready for combat. The 4th set the stan- dard for other divisions to follow at the Second Battle of the Marne. Chateau Thierry, the Vesle River, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. Credited with battle honors for the Champagne, Meuse-Argonne, Lor- raine, St. Mihiel and Aisne-Marne campaigns, the 4th Division fought and defeated 1 6 enemy divisions. In August of 1919, the Ivy division sailed for home. With the war in Europe won, the 4th was inacti- vated September 21, 1921 at Fort Ord, California. However, certain units of the Division, including the 4th Engineers, continued their ex- istence as independent organiza- tions of the Army.

Because of its Roman numeral designation- IV -people began call- ing the division the "l-V ”, or "Ivy” division. Then, to symbolize this name, four ivy leaves were cross- ed to produce the Division’s shoulder patch; and the words "Steadfast and Loyal ” were adopted as the division motto.

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The words were taken from the traditional significance of ivy.

As an uneasy peace began to fail and war clouds again gathered over Europe, it became necessary to increase the size of the armed forces of the United States. As part of this expansion, the 4th Division was reactivated June 1 , 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the next three and a half years, the division trained for war at Ft. Benning and Camp johnston, Florida.

On january 29, 1944 the divi- sion disembarked at the port of Liverpool, England. The division’s first casualties from enemy action were sustained in the course of the final D-Day rehearsal in early May when German E-boats attack- ed the division's transports under cover of darkness. So, too, the 4th took its first prisoner. A Ger- man was captured during the final preparation--an enemy airman who bailed out of a plane which was shot down over the division train- ing area.

In late May 1944, under ex- tremely tight security, the division moved to the staging area for the Normandy invasion. U.S. forces were to attempt landing on two French beaches, one under VII Corps operational control, the other controlled by V Corps. The 4th was the initial assault division in the Vll Corps' plan. At dawn on June 6 the first troops of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry reached Utah Beach. The 1st Battalion landed a few minutes later.

Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt, jr.. Assistant Division

Commander, who later received the Medal of Honor for his actions on D-Day, personally led the at- tack against enemy strong points. After establishing a beachhead, the division moved inland and made contact with paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who had jumped in dur- ing the night to create havoc in the enemy's rear. The 4th reinforced them while other elements moved north on an operation that rolled up the Nazi coastal defenses. The Ivy Division then smashed toward Cherbourg and, with two other American divisions, finally entered that enemy strongpoint on lune 25.

The 4th earned a reputation as a capable division that ac- complished its mission. On September 1 1, 1944 the Ivy Divi- sion played a primary role in the breaching the vaunted Siegfried Line.

By November, the division was in the middle of what most historians agree was the most grueling battle of WW II, the fight for the Heurtgen Forest. The Ger- mans considered the forest so im- portant to their defense that the enemy placed four divisions in the path of one American division, sacrificing these and other units in an attempt to halt the 4th.

Where before the 4th had mov- ed up to 50 miles per day, 500 yards was considered a good day in the Heurtgen. One battalion lost four commanders in one day and units took 50 percent casualties in the face of the deter- mined German defense.

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The forest was ultimately taken and the Ivy Division moved to Luxembourg on December 1 2 for much needed rest. Four days later, the Germans launched a massive, last-ditch counter- offensive in the Ardennes which later became known as the Battle of the Bulge. The southern shoul- der of the enemy's drive fell squarely within the 4th Division’s area of operations. In a desperate battle, cooks, mechanics, and any- one else who could carry a rifle went into action. The line held by the 4th constituted the barrier behind which the Allied forces in the south regrouped and launched their counter-attack to free Bastogne and halt the enemy offensive.

After 1 99 days of consecutive contact with the enemy, the 4th regrouped, then again crossed back into the Rhineland to join in the sweep across Germany. The Division’s forward movement brought it all the way to Bad Tolz, six miles from the Austrian Border. On July 10, 1945, the Ivy Division returned home.

The 4th Infantry Division was in- activated on March 5, 1946, only to be reactivated on July 15, 1947 to meet the threat of the "Cold War ” with the Soviet Union.

In 1950 the Ivy Division sail- ed for Europe again and became part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization structure. After retur- ning to the United States in 1956, the division moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it became both a training division and a combat-ready " fire brigade ” ready to quell aggression wherever and whenever required.

A decade later the biggest open secret at Fort Lewis was the movement of the 4th Infantry Divi- sion to Vietnam. In July 1966 elements of the 4th left Fort Lewis and, by October 13, the entire division was in Southeast Asia.

The brigades of the "Fighting Fourth” were initially dispersed over a wide area. The division’s 2d Brigade set up "Ivy Base ” near the foot of Dragon Mountain in the Central Highlands. The base was later named Camp Enari for Lieutenant Mark Enari, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Lieutenant Enari was the first 4th Infantry soldier awarded a medal for valor in Vietnam.

The 1 St Brigade was deployed at Tuy Hoa, on the coast near the South China Sea, for the purpose of protecting rice harvests in the lowland areas and conducting search and destroy missions against Viet Cong units operating in the area. The brigade later moved to the Central Highlands in the northern II Corps region join- ing the 2d Brigade. Attached to the 25th Division, the 3rd Brigade conducted numerous operations north and northwest of Saigon along the Cambodian Border and southwest of the embattled capital. The 4th Division’s primary concern was to find and eliminate the North Vietnamese Army units operating in the highlands, and to stifle the flow of enemy men and material into South Vietnam from communist sanctuaries in Cam- bodia and Laos. Without a doubt, it was a conflict of new and strange dimensions. To many Americans, especially veterans of

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World War II and the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict was often incomprehensible.

It was not a conventional war of clearly defined lines. There was no front in Vietnam. There were no sweeping attacks, last-ditch defenses or drawn-out delaying actions. Instead, search and destroy, search and clear, search and seize, and cordon and search became the Division's modus operandi as the "grunts " of the 4th battled Viet Cong guerrillas and elusive North Vietnamese Ar- my units in the triple-canopied jungles of the Central Highlands.

In addition to battling the Viet- cong and NVA, the 4th fought a war for the minds and hearts of the Vietnamese people. The first civic action campaign was called the "Hamlet Visitation Program," and 1 3 villages in the immediate vicinity of Dragon Mountain became the responsibility of seven division support units. By the spring of 1967, the division’s help and medical assistance pro- grams enabled the tribal highlanders to become aware of their government and of the world that existed beyond the borders of isolated communities.

Battles like Dak To, Kontum,

Chu Pa, Pleiku, An Khe and Cam- bodia will long be remembered by the Ivy Division.

As part of the reduction in forces in Vietnam, on November 1, 1970 the division began deploy- ment back to the United States, replacing the 5th Division at Fort Carson. In its new western home, the 4th was reorganized as a mechanized infantry division and earned a new nickname— "The Ironhorse Division ”.

The Division's three maneuver brigades, four field artillery bat- talions, and numerous combat support and combat service sup- port units train at locations across the nation and overseas.

Fourth Division units participate in numerous Emergency Deploy- ment Readiness Exercises, Return of Forces to Germany exercises, training exercises at the National Training Center located at Fort Irwin, California, and Pinon Canyon, the Fort Carson maneuver site. Training is a way of life for the 4th Division soldier-training, evaluating that training, and more training. They strive for perfection at their jobs. From training in the desert terrain of California to the jungles of Honduras, soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) repeatedly prove their mobility and combat readiness.

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3 th Infantry Division (Mechanized) 1962 - 1970

The 5th Infantry Division was organized December 12, 1917 at Camp Logan, Texas. It adopted the "Ace of Diamonds without the Ace" as its insigna and shoulder patch. With little training the divi- sion moved overseas and hit the trenches on june 14, 1913. The division saw battle in the Alsace, Lorraine, St. Mihiel and Meuse- Argonne campaigns.

The 5th Division’s greatest achievement of the war was the crossing of the Meuse River and the establishment of a bridgehead on the eastern bank. Gen. john I. Pershing called it "one of the most brilliant military feats in the history of the American Army in France. ”

After the armistice, the 5th oc- cupied Luxembourg, returning to the United States in July 1919 and inactivation at Camp lackson. South Carolina, in 1921.

The 5th Division was recalled to duty at Fort McClellan, Alabama after Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. It was one of the first U.S. units to go overseas in World War II, being based in Iceland in 1942. The division entered combat in lu- ly of 1944 and fought across France through St. Lo, Chartres and Metz. The fall of Metz in 1944 climaxed a 700-mile drive by the Red Devils which required cross- ing the Marne, Seine, Yonne, Marne, Aisne, Meuse and Moselle Rivers under fire. In mid- November, Metz fell and by early December the 5th was on the banks of the Saar. The 5th Divi- sion attacked the flank of the Ger- mans in lanuary 1945 and helped choke the Nazi offensive during the Battle of the Bulge.

After World War II, the 5th Divi- sion was in and out of existence. From 1946 to 1947 the Red Devils were at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; from 1950 to 1953, In- diantown Gap Military Reserva- tion, Pennsylvania.

On May 25, 1954, the division was reactivated in Germany and served with the NATO forces until it was again inactivated at Fort Ord, California in June 1957.

The 5th was reactivated at Fort Carson, on February 19, 1962 and became the Army’s first mechaniz- ed infantry division. The Red Dia- mond was inactivated again on December 1 1 , 1970 when the 4th Infantry Division returned from Vietnam to Fort Carson.

The 5th was reactivated at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on September 21, 1975, and is presently stationed there.

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9th Infantry Division 1956 - 1962

The 9th Infantry Division was organized July 18, 1918, at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, and was train- ing in the United States as World War I came to an end. The divi- sion was inactivated February 15, 1919.

The 9th was reactivated August 1, 1940, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During World War II, elements of the 9th fought in North Africa and Sicily before the divi- sion landed in Normandy on June 10, 1944. In December 1944, the division took part in the "Battle of the Bulge. " The determination and fighting spirit shown in the battle earned the 9th Infantry Division the nickname "Old Reliable. ”

From 1945 to 1956 the unit went through inactivations, reac- tivations and redesignation. It was activated during the Korean War as a training unit and in the early "50s went to Germany as part of the NATO forces. During the fall of 1956, the 9th changed places with the 8th Infantry Division dur- ing "Operation Gyroscope " and v/as stationed at Fort Carson. The 9th then assumed a basic training mission. In December 1957, the division made its debut into the atomic age when it was officially reorganized as a Pentomic Divi- sion. The division was inactivated at Fort Carson in January 1962.

On February 1, 1966, the 9th In- fantry Division was reactivated at Fort Riley, Kansas. In May 1966 the division was alerted for move- ment to Southeast Asia. For the next two years, the units of the 9th fought in Vietnam. The 9th was again inactivated in September 1969 in Hawaii.

The division was reactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1972. Today the 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) is the largest 1 Corps unit stationed there.

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8th Infantry Division 1954 - 1956

The 8th Division was organized at Camp Fremont, Palo Alto, California in January 1913. In September 1918, the division left California for France, but the ar- mistice was signed before it reach- ed Europe. One unit of the divi- sion, the 8th Regiment, was made part of the Army of Occupation. The remaining elements of the division were returned to the United States and in February 1919 the division was inactivated. In 1923 the division was reconstituted as an inactive unit.

In July 1940, the division was ordered to duty at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. From 1940 to 1943, the division remained in the United States, concerned with security duty and training. In November 1943, the 8th moved

to the Camp Kilmer staging area and in December sailed for Belfast, Northern Ireland. The divi- sion established headquarters at Omagh, County Tyrone.

The 8th Division landed at Omaha Beach on the Normandy coast on D-Day minus 28 and fought across France, driving through the Ay River line toward Brest. After captureing Brest and clearing the Crozen Peninsula, the division fought in the Heurtgen and participated in the drive on the Roer, and the Rhine and fought at Duren and the Erft Canal. It then cut across the Danish Peninsula and made contact with the Russian Army in May 1945 at Lake Schwerin.

In ten months the division cap- tured 316,187 prisoners. A total of 13,293 men of the division were killed, wounded or captured.

The 8th returned to the United States and was inactivated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in November 1945.

In August 1950, the 8th was ac- tivated for the third time, stationed at Fort Jackson, and reorganized as an infantry training division. On May 1, 1954, it was announced that the 8th Division would be reorganized at Camp Carson, Col- orado and replace the 31st Infan- try "Dixie” Division.

The 8th was stationed at Fort Carson until the fall of 1956, when it changed places with the 9th Division during "Operation Gyroscope” and reported to Ger- many. The division is presently headquartered at Bad Kreuznach, Federal Republic of Germany.

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31st Infantry Division 1954

The 3 I St Infantry Division, a southern National Guard unit, was first called to active duty in 1918 and arrived in France in the fall of that year. Upon arrival the "Dixie” division became the 7th Depot Division. The 31st was demobilized after World War 1.

The 3 1st was again called to ac- tive duty at Birmingham, Alabama on November 25, 1940. The division arrived at Dobodura,

New Guinea on April 24, 1944 and entered combat in luly of that year. The division went on to assault Morotai Island in Septem- ber and landed in the Philippines on April 22, 1945. At the end of the war in the Pacific the Dixie Division was demobilized at Camp Stoneman, California on December 21, 1945.

The 3 1 St was recalled to active service at Camp Atterbury, Illinois and ordered to Camp Carson when Atterbury was closed in the spring of 1954. On june 15, 1954 the 3 1 St was released from federal service and reverted to state control. Personnel and equipment were transferred to the 8th Division.

The 31st Division National Guard was reorganized April 1 , 1953 in the states of Mississippi and Alabama and began training as an Army National Guard Divi- sion. The 31st was demobilized in January 1968.

The 31st Separate Armor Brigade headquartered in North Port, Alabama, perpetuates the Headquarters of the 3 1st Division.

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10th Mountain Division 1942 - 1943

The 10th was activated at Camp Hale, Colorado on luly 15, 1943 as the United States Army's only specifically trained mountain divi- sion. During World War 11, the division fought in the mountains of northern Italy. It was instrumental in defeating the axis powers dur- ing the Italian campaigns and led the way to the ultimate allied victory in Italy.

The division returned to Col- orado after the war and was inac- tivated at Camp Carson on November 30, 1945.

The 10th was reactivated on luly 1, 1948 and redesignated the 10th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. The division’s mission was to train soldiers. The 1 0th was reorganized in 1954 as a regular army combat division and alerted for duty overseas. In July 1955, the 1 0th was one of the first three divisions to participate in "Opera- tion Gyroscope " and spent three years in Germany as a NATO unit. The 1 0th returned to the states and was inactivated June 14,

1958.

On February 13, 1985, the 10th Mountain Division was reactivated at Fort Drum, New York and redesignated light infantry. Although still trained in mountain tactics, the lOth’s mission is to be ready to fight anywhere, from the mountains of southern Germany to the jungles of Panama.

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104th Infantry Division 1944

The 104th Infantry Division was activated on August 7, 1943 at Camp Adair, Oregon and transfer- red to Camp Carson on March 1 1 , 1944. The "Timberwolves” arrived at Cherboug, France in September, 1944. The 104th fought through Northern Europe from Antwerp to the Siegfried Line and on from Cologne to the Rhine River. After crossing the Rhine, the 104th took town after town and made contact with the Soviet Armed Forces at Pretzsch in April 1945, after 195 consecu- tive days of combat.

Following World War II, the Timberwolves were inactivated at Camp San Louis Obispo, California on December 20, 1945.

The 104th Infantry Division was reactivated as a United States Ar- my Reserve Division in 1963. Redesignated 104th Infantry Divi- sion (Training) the division is head- quartered at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.

7 1 St Infantry Division 1943 - 1944

The 71st Infantry Division, whose training at Camp Carson overlapped that of the 89th by a few months, was created by the War Department to meet the need for a small strike force capable of fighting in rough ter- rain. It was built around two old regular Army regiments, the 5th and 14th. In anticipation of the difficulties they might encounter, the Red Circle Division engaged in long marches up Cheyenne Moun- tain before it was shipped overseas to fight in the Rhineland and Central Europe.

Activated as the 7 1 st Light Divi- sion on luly 1 5, 1 943, at Camp Carson, the 71st was designated the 71st Infantry Division on May 26, 1944. The division was transferred overseas in February 1945 and remained in Europe un- til March of 1946, when the divi- sion was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New |ersey.

The 71st Division was reac- tivated in October 1954 with Headquarters at Fort Richardson, Alaska, during the Korean Conflict, and inactivated September 15, 1956 at Fort Lewis, Washington.

89th Infantry Division 1942 - 1944

Known originally as the Middle Western Division because most of its men came from Kansas and Missouri, the 89th was activated in 1917 and trained at Camp Funston, Kansas. Landing at Le Havre, France in lune 1918, the division

first went into action in the Toul sector and later fought through the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

By November 11, 1918, the 89th, serving with the American First Army, had shattered the Ger- mans' toughest trench defenses and cleared the entire left bank of the Meuse River south of Sedan. Following the Armistice, the divi- sion occupied a portion of the Rhineland near Trier.

The 89th was reactivated at Camp Carson, Colorado on luly 14, 1942, the first division station- ed at Camp Carson. In August 1943, the 89th was reorganized as one of the three experimental light infantry divisions, designed to operate in areas where roads and trails were non-existent. The experiment failed and the 89th became a regular infantry division.

Arriving in Europe in lanuary 1945, the 89th made assault crossings of the Moselle and Rhine rivers as part of Gen. George S. Patton’s famed Third Army. The division advanced 350 miles into Germany, gaining the nickname "Rolling W". Following the end of World War 11, the 89th Infantry Division was inactivated on December 27, 1945, at Camp Shanks, New York.

In May 1947, the 89th was reac- tivated as a reserve division and redesignated a training division in 1959. On March 1, 1975 the 89th Infantry Division was inactivated in Wichita, Kansas. The 89th Army Reserve Command headquartered in Wichita wears the "Rolling W ” patch as a challenge and a trust.

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Conclusion

As the current resident of Fort Carson, the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is the standard bearer of the honors and traditions of the many proud units that have called the Mountain Post home.

The 4th Division honors those traditions by maintaining a con- stant state of combat readiness. The time-honored soldierly values of competence, courage, commit- ment and candor are reaffirmed daily in the dedicated perfor- mance of the division's soldiers.

Soldiers here spend an average of 22 weeks each year conducting field training designed to hone their basic combat skills. As a result, they are extremely profes- sional and competent. The courage they display during the rigors of training on post, at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, and at the National Training Center promises a firm foundation for courage they will need in war.

Their commitment to the nation, the Army and the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is reflected daily in their willing self-sacrifice and the sacrifices they ask of their families.

Finally, the cohesion and espirit found in the division is built on the candor, honesty and trust each soldier shares with his leaders and his peers.

The values to which we subscribe spring from, and even transcend, those of the society we serve.

In wartime, it is the ethical elements of soldierly conduct and leadership which bond soldiers and units together, enabling them to survive the rigors of combat.

The 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is committed to the future--ever mindful of the rich heritage of the Front Range and the proud lineage of the units preceding it at Fort Carson.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to numerous Colorado Springs citizens and Fort Carson soldiers and civilians, who supplied us with facts about Fort Carson.

It would be impossible to credit everyone who contributed. Many of the articles and papers used for reference were written by in- dividuals who have long since returned to civilian life. References include the Fort Carson Diary 1942-1947, 1951-1958, articles from the post newspaper, the Mountaineer, the Fort Carson historical supplements, numerous documents, local newspapers and personal interviews. The book was researched and written by Capt. Billie L. Friedman from the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office. All photographs not otherwise credited are the work of U.S.

Army photographers.

The Fort Carson Public Affairs Office is grateful to everyone who made publication of this book possible.

TERRY M MONRAD Lieutenant Colonel

Public Affairs Officer

Map of Fort Carson

Legend:

Gate 1 2

3

4

20

Gate 5 Titus Ammo

6 Wilderness Road

7 Mary Ellen Road

8 Deadman Road

9 Artillery Road 0 Lytle Road

I I luniper Valley I 2 Camp Red Devil I 3 Salt Canyon Road 1 4 Stone City Road I 5 Booth Road I 6 S. Lytle Road I 7 Old Golf Course Road I 8 E. Wilderness Road

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