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Francis Owen Lathrop, Jr. 

Williams College, Class of 1945

Sigma Phi

Cross Country Team

Glee Club

World War 2

The 10th Mountain Division

The 10th Mountain Division was started in 1940 by four skiers of some accomplishment and recognition: Robert Livermore, 1936 Olympic skier; Roger Langley, President of the National Ski Association; C. Minot "Minnie" Dole, Founder of the National Ski Patrol; and Alexander Bright, Dean of American Downhill Racers.  The National Ski Patrol was made official recruiting agency, requiring that volunteers submit three letters of recommendation.  This brought in outdoorsmen, forest rangers, cowboys, as well as the well-to-do Ivy League skiers of the East.

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Battle of Mt. Belvedere started off by taking over and securing  Riva Ridge which was heavily fortified and protected by a steep 1000 ft cliff.  After executing a very technical climb, roped in, in the middle of darkness, they summited the cliff to face-off with a handful of Germans.  The Americans, amidst this surprise overnight attack, captured or killed the Germans and secured Riva Ridge and its high elevation, cutting off further ammunition and bombs that were previously coming from the Germans.  Additionally, the Americans were able to direct air power and ammunition over Mt. Belvedere where Germans were dug in.  The Allies used the fog in their favor to execute the attack under surprise.

Francis Owen Lathrop Jr. fought in the 87th regiment on Mt. Belvedere and in the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy.

 

He was instrumental in starting what became Ascutney Ski Area and the Amherst Ski Club starting from a rope tow made from a tractor engine.

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In loving memory of Francis Owen Lathrop

 July 25, 1921-March 5, 2018 (96)

References (in order as listed)

  • Williams College. “Class of 1945.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Williams College. “Sigma Phi House.” Special Collections, Williams College, Williams College Archives Photograph file.

  • Williams College. “Alpha of Massachusetts Chapter of Sigma Phi.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Williams College. “Sigma Phi - Class of 1945.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Williams College. “Freshmen Sports.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Williams College. “Williams Glee Club.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Williams College. “Class of 1945.” Special Collections, Williams College,  1943 Gulielmensian, 1943.

  • Lathrop, Cynthia. "Lathrop Army Outfit." Lathrop Family Scrapbook. Lathrop, 1980.

  • National Association of the 10th Mountain DIvision, Inc.  "The Conception." !987 Roster, Colorado Springs, CO.

  • Lathrop, Steve. "Oral history of the Battle of Mt. Belvedere." May 7, 2018, Londonderry, VT. Oral History.

  • Lathrop, Cynthia. "Lathrop Army Outfit." Lathrop Family Scrapbook. Lathrop, 1980.

  • Williams College. "Class of '45, 55th Reunion." Williamstown, MA, 2000, keychain.

  • Lathrop, Lara. "Democracy Interview."  Francis Owen Lathrop, Jr. Peterborough, NH: February 6, 2018.

  • "Francis Owen Lathrop Jr.'s Obituary on Madadnock Ledger-Transcript." Legacy.com.

  • Lathrop, Lara.  "Francis Owen Lathrop Service." Peterborough, NH, May 5, 2018.

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