John Montagne Papers

Collection

Identifier: TMD162

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two scrapbooks (1942-1946) chronicling Montagne's military service; a copy of Montagne's: "Narrative about equipment used for ice and glacier climbing school" (1999); vita (1986); obituary (2008).

Dates

1942-1946

Creator

Montagne, John,(John Merrill),1920-2008. (Person)
Montagne, John, 1920-2008, (Person)

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Biographical / Historical

John Montagne was born John de la Montagne April 17, 1920, in White Plains, New York. He developed an early interest in the outdoors and in rocks and minerals. He entered Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club and president of the senior class. He studied geology at the University of Wyoming Field Camp and graduated from Dartmouth early in order to join the newly formed ski troops at Fort Lewis, Washington. Montagne served in the Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion and in Company E of the 87th Infantry Regiment.

Upon completion of officer’s candidate school, he returned to the 10th Mountain Division and served in numerous companies of the 85th Infantry Regiment. While engaged in combat operations against German forces occupying Italy, he was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his actions in the Apennines and Po River area.

Following World War II, Montagne served as a schoolteacher and principal at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Later, he became a ranger and naturalist in Grand Teton National Park. He also organized the first training for search and rescue in Grand Teton National Park. Upon receiving his Doctorate in Geology from the University of Wyoming, Montagne joined the faculty at the Colorado School of Mines. He taught at numerous other institutions.

Montagne and his wife, Phoebe celebrated 65 years of marriage in December 2007. John Montagne died on June 15, 2008.