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Leo J. Kohlman oral history

 Collection
Identifier: C MSS OH221

Scope and Contents

The interview provides biographical information and personal observations about Kohlman's experiences as a member of the 10th Mountain Division: civilian background as a working cowboy, rodeo performer and skier; entered the Army at age 30, immediately volunteered for the ski troops and was assigned to the 87th Regiment as an armorer in the supply unit; participated in the Kiska operation, and relates experiences including thoughts on the friendly fire episode, poor leadership and various snafus; describes D series training, and Camp Hale and Camp Swift experiences including mule training; relates his combat experiences including how houses were requisitioned for use; chasing the Germans through the Po Valley; and the confrontation with Tito's army. He also describes his return to the US, decommissioning of the unit and his separation from the Army and provides opinions as to why the 10th Mountain Division has stuck together. Kohlman has written two books frequently referred to in the interview, but not identified. The books are: Uphill with the Ski Troops, and Cowboy'n -The Way it Was.

Dates

  • no date

Creator

Language of Materials

Material is in English unless otherwise noted.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the author of the items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Leo J. "Oley" Kohlman was born on November 5, 1911 in Nunn, Weld County, Colo. and enlisted in the Army on April 14, 1942 at Tacoma, Wash. He was unmarried and had completed 4 years of high school and working on a ranch. Kohlman joined the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Lewis, Wash. and later served at Camp Hale, Colo., Ft. Ord, Calif., Kiska Island, Alaska, Camp Carson, Colo., Camp Swift, Texas and in Italy. Kohlman was assigned to Companyies F and K of the 87th Infantry Regiment and attained the rank of Technician, Grade 5. He died on March 31, 2008 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Extent

3 Audiocassettes

Other Finding Aids

Typed notes available.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift;Unknown;n.d.

Linking Entry Complexity Note

Forms part of the 10th Mountain Division Resource Center Collection.

Title
Finding Aid for the Leo J. Kohlman oral history
Author
Finding Aid prepared from MARC data.
Description rules
Anglo American Cataloguing Rules
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Repository

Contact:
10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver CO 80204 United States