In early 1942, Capt. Gorham and 175 paratroopers from Company B, 503rd PIR trained at Alta, Utah, testing the concept of dropping paratroopers into the Alps behind German lines to ski down and harass enemy communications. Though the project was abandoned, the unit was credited with the first parachute jump from over 10,000 feet. Several Alta men transferred into the 82nd Airborne, and Gorham became the first battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 505th PIR. In July 1943, during the invasion of Si