Ernest L. Tapley Jr. was born in Mass. in 1924 and enlisted in the Army at Boston, Mass in 1943. At the time of his enlistment he was unmarried, had completed two years of high school and was employed as a lumberman. Tapley joined the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, Colo., serving at different times in Companies C, G and A of the 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment, later with the Mountain Training Group and the 10th Mountain Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. In June 1944, he transferred to the North Pacific Combat School. Tapley attained the rank of Technician Grade 5.
From the description of Ernest L. Tapley Jr. papers, 1944-1998. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 259760776