COVER
THE SAGA
of the
723d
Railway
Operating
Battalion
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Where were you on 30 Nov.1943?
On that date General Order No. 174, Headquarters, 8th ServiceCommand authorized the activation of our unit. Acting under that authority,Lt. Col. Doyle Gresham, our Commanding Officer, activated the unit at FortSam Houston, Texas, on 21 December, 1943 and we thus became a part of theMilitary Railway Service and the Army Transportation Corps. The initialstrength was 21 commissioned officers and 71 enlisted men, the latter havingbeen sent as a cadre from the 746th Railway Operating Battalion. The firstheadquarters was established in building T-1282 located near the intersectionof Garden Avenue and W. W. White Road, and fronted on Garden Avenue (morepicturesque in name than in reality). However, what this location lackedin scenic beauty was more than compensated for in the proximity of thelife saving restaurant located diagonally across the street. All of the"old timers" recall the Chapel of the Rock just a few more steps down theroad. During our stay in Fort Sam Houston personnel were billeted in barrackslocated north of W. W. White Road, east of Forage and south of Hardee Road.These were large, two-story, frame structures of the type well known toevery GI who passed through a training center in the States.
On 5 January 1944 the first shipment of enlisted personnel arrivedand were assigned to the various Companies and between the date of activationand 21 January 1944, a total of 884 enlisted men were assigned to the unit.98% of these reinforcements came into the Army via the "Selective Service"route, the other 2% being regular army or volunteers. Thus, we begin thetrip to Berlin as "citizen soldiers".
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BASIC TRAINING
Our eight weeks program of basic military training started on17 January 1944. To a majority of the men, mostly raw recruits onlyrecently dispatched from reception centers, the first day of basic trainingwas a strange and bewildering experience. However, during the initial stagesof basic training the routine schedules, which is the army life, soon narrowsthe "experience" down to one of bewilderment only.
The early history of the 723d is conspicuously lacking in anecdotesand unusual stories concerning the officers and EM. This can be attributedprimarily to the fact that the basic training program was insistently emphasizedduring the first few months of the unit's existence.
Aside from the usual classes, drill and technical films,among the more memorable activities were the severalnight marches that were made by the Battalion to provide preliminary experiencein field movements as well as an opportunity to develop physical staminaamong the men. Of course the marches were not complete until a full countof blisters was made upon return.
The first long march occurred when the move was made to campBullis for the purpose of qualifying in arms. The march took from 0800on February 13, 1944, to about 1600 the same date, a distance of approximately20 miles. The most eventful aspect being the adverse weather conditionsunder which the movement took place. Intermittent rain and an overcastsky provided little comfort and when fatigue began to be felt bythe men near the end of the march, these factors served to emphasize theirdiscomfort. Nor was there much respite when the Battalion strode into CampBullis dispersing by companies into the tent areas assigned to each ofthe unit's four companies, for the lush comforts ofFort Sam were conspicuously lacking.
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Camp Bullis will be remembered for its rocky company streets;its rugged mess halls; and inconveniently located latrines.
The main purpose of this period was for all men to qualify asmarksmen with the 30 caliber 1903 A-3 rifle. This was accomplishedaccording to schedule with the highest score of188 for EM and 178 for officers. Also the training at Camp Bullis includedfiring the 30 caliber carbine for familiarization, 30 and 50 caliber machineguns by part of the unit, anti-aircraft firing, and last but not leastthe infiltration course where all members received their baptism of fire.Machine gun bullets whined overhead and tracers could be seen flashingthrough the air along with detonations of dynamite throwingshowers of mud skyward as visible reminders thatthe exercise was no pantomime.
By the 27th of February 1944, the Battalion had completed itsprogram at Camp Bullis and on the same day left for a predeterminedbivouac area approximately six miles northeast of theCamp.
Along with learning more of the ways and means of soldiersin the field the Battalion enacted offensive military action against Branntown,a reconstruction of a war torn village such as might be encountered inactual operations overseas.
To the satisfaction of inspectors from Fort Sam Houston, ourCommanding officer and company officers, our Basic Training period wasannounced "finis". The unit then returned to Camp Bullisto prepare for the march back to Fort Sam. On the 9thof March, Companies A, B and Hq shouldered field packs and waved a fondadieu to Camp Bullis and to C Company which remained behind for two daysawaiting favorable weather conditions which would permit the completionof anti-aircraft firing with the 50 caliber machine gun.
By the 11th of March 1944, the entire Battalionwas assembled at Fort Sam Houston and the unit boarded trains on the 13thbound for Lincoln Army Air Field, where mess and quarters were establishedduring the Technical training period on the Chicago, Burlington and QuincyRailroad.
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The 723d Railway Operating Battalion arrived in Lincoln, Nebraskaon March 15, 1944, establishing Headquarters at 1200 hours on that date.Within the first three days after arrival, furloughs were granted to allenlisted personnel and officers eligible. A few men had been released forfurloughs before the unit left Texas but this group was in the minorityand it was not until the organization arrived in Lincoln that the majorityof the Battalion personnel set off for home to enjoy the long awaited breakin the monotonous routine of army life.
On the 3rd of April 1944, the Technical Training schedule wasset in motion and each of the four companies set about to learn the specializedskills necessary in railroad operation. Some of the men were beginnersand their concentration was bent on acquiring the rudiments of hithertounknown trades or specialties. To others who had civilian railroad experience,the training program was an interim in which previously acquired skillswere entranced and perfected under intensive instruction and practice.Thus the roundhouse, the cupola, the engine, the open track where the maintenanceof way crews worked, the barracks wherein telegraphy was taught and thestations that dotted the rail lines emanating from the Lincoln Terminalbecame class rooms where practical experience, civilian railroaders, andthe officers of the Battalion were the teachers in getting the Unit coordinatedinto a working machine to handle all duties pertaining to operatingand maintaining anywhere from 60 to 120 miles of railroad track and equipment.
The training period at Lincoln was not entirely technical, however,for a program was set up whereby all men were given refresher courses inbasic military subjects, such as: field striping 50 caliber machine guns,close order drill, calisthenics, Chemical warfare and other training thathelped make a more efficient unit for protecting as well as operating arailroad.
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Under a hot, summer, Kansas sun and over hot stoves our "culinarycommandos" were initiated into the mysteries of Army Cookery.
The curriculum was replete with courses on every phase of cookeryplain and fancy.
The cooks returned to Lincoln, on June 29, with their mindsfull of new theories, new recipes and new resolutions that, from that dayhence the food would be better than ever.
There were two additional movements made to Fort Riley. Thefirst, for the purpose of firing the 50 caliber machine gun on the M 45anti-aircraft mounts by a required number of the Battalion. This programcovered a period from the 16th to the 23d of May 1944. The second was undertakento fulfill training requirements relative to the qualification in arms.All men who had not qualified with the 03 rifle, and those who had notpreviously completed the infiltration course or fired the carbine for familiarizationwere required to go to the Fort Riley Range for this purpose. This wasaccomplished from the 25th to the 27th of June 1944.
While receiving technical training in Lincoln the 723d rendereda valuable public service during a flood emergency which occurred in theearly part of June 1944. The flood waters of the Platte River wereparticularly rampant and there was, for a time, a serious threatof washouts on the Burlington Line which spanned the Platte east of Ashland,Nebraska.
In answer to a call for volunteers for aid, more than one hundredmembers of Company A, including company officers, took over the job offilling and loading sand bags on flat cars for shipment to threatened areaswhere the bags were used to buttress the track embankment in high waterareas. Pausing only when the rain reached cloudburst proportions
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Also not to be forgotten, was the night problem that was undertakenon June 2, 1944. This being taken as a secret move under simulated battleconditions.
Carrying full field packs and wearing steel helmets, theBattalion marched a distance of approximately ten miles over roads andterrain lined with concealed dynamite charges which were detonatedat intervals to achieve the effect of hostile artillery fire. To lend additionalrealism to the exercise, groups of men were selected to act the part ofenemy opposition firing blank ammunition from machine guns located at severalpoints.
Twice during the march, gas attacks were simulated and maskswere employed as the Battalion made its way through clouds of smoke andtear gas released by the "enemy". Contact with advancecolumns deployed by the opposition resulted in the enactment of frequentfrontal as well as rear guard action.
And so, back to, and on with technical training which was concludedwith an exercise conducted on the famous Ashland Prague Division. The Battalionwas bivouacked at the National Guard Camp just outside of Ashland, Nebraskafor the duration of the battle simulated conditions which lastedfrom the 8th to the 12th of July. The problem being, to run this stretchof track in the required and typical GI manner.
The Battalion was divided into opposing forces, in this "testof operation", one charged with getting a supply train through from Ashlandto Prague, while the other did its best to stop or delay the run.Every effort was made to have the action as realistic as possible and guardspatrolled bridges and other vital points of the line. Longin advance of the train's progress, the right-of-way was plantedwith booby traps and obstructions of all kinds, and at frequent intervalsthe train was the center of exploding charges and clouds of gas.
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With the by word now as, "Aw, this outfit won't go overseas",the advance party left on the 15th of July 1944 to procure and ready anarray of supplies and equipment required by the overseas assignmentto come.
No one knew the destination of the advance party and few, ifany, would hazard a guess on the point. One thing was certain, however,the departure of this group, which included the Adjutant, Assistant BattalionSupply Officer and the Battalion Supply Sergeant, was concrete indicationthat very soon the unit would be on the move toward one of the global battlefronts.
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THIS IS IT
Still clinging to a saying, which by this time had changed to,"One thing sure, half of these guys can't pass the overseas physical atthe Port", the Battalion left Lincoln on August 2, 1944.
On August 4, the 723d arrived at Camp Shanks, there to receiveoverseas indoctrination lectures, issues of new clothing and last minutescrutiny of personnel and military records; besides, checking TAT, preparingrosters and, - What do you know? Everyone passed the overseas physical.
Then came the familiar, "This is it", and on August 10, theBattalion, by companies, marched to the station and each individual withfull field pack end duffle bag boarded a train for NYPE. On arriving at3 New York Central station the men loft the train with all equipment andmarched aboard the ferry, crossed to Manhattan, onto the pier and boardedthe E. B. Alexander. With very little delay the ship pulled out ofNew York at approximately 1030 hours on August 11, 1944.
Aside from abandon shin drills, inspections sweating out two long chowlines daily, - usually eating with perspiration dripping into the messgear, and an occasional detail in the galley or latrine, the trip was uneventfuland the passenger was on his own. Reading, several boxing matches, moviesand an orchestra organized from among those no board,
provided entertainment during the voyage.
The convoy grew the first few days and dispersed again for severaldifferent ports upon approaching the coast of England.The E. B. Alexander docked at Liverpool on August 22, and the 723d disembarkedon the morning of the 24th boarded trains immediately and arrived at Southamptonthe some day.
With approximately 30 hours spent in England the Battalion boardedthe British ship Chelsea on August 25, at Southampton.
The troop compartments ware more congested and uncomfortableaboard the Chelsea than they were on the E. B. Alexander and the food servedwas no attraction.
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The channel crossing was as uneventful as it was slowfor it was not until approximately 1600 hours the 26th that the unloadingwas started by L.C.I.'s onto Utah Beach. A baggage detail being left aboardto unload duffle bags.
After landing on the beach, the Battalion moved inland to bivouacarea eight, some five miles north and east of the landing point.
Encampment here lasted but two days and on August 28, at 2000hours, the Unit moved via motor convoy to the outskirts of Chef Du Pont.This time bivouacking in an apple orchard near the railroad that passedthrough the village.
The following day at 0600, shelters were struck and the Battalionentrained at Chef Du Pont headed for Le Mans, France, its first station.
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FULFILLMENT OF A MISSION
Thus across France Via St. Lo, Argentan, Surdon, Alencon andfinally Le Mans, the 723d detrained and moved to quarters in a former Frencharmy barracks just recently evacuated by the German forces.
The Battalion with its mission underway at last, establishedHeadquarters at 1330 hours 29 August 1944, on the third floor of a buildingjust north of the depot at Le Mans and operated between Le Mans and Surdon.This first operation was more in the nature of a temporary assignment underthe 708th Railway Grand Division then located at Pontaubault.
On September 9, the 723d moved to Surdon, France where BattalionHeadquarters was established. The Unit was assigned, on this date, underthe 706th Railway Grand Division at Le Mans, to operate the territory fromSurdon to Dreux including both terminals. Temporary quarters were establishedin three French Manors located on the highway connecting Nonant Le Pinand Marmouille.
When the Battalion arrived in Surdon, there was much to be done.Most of the buildings had been damaged by air attack. The railroad yardswere in poor condition and there were no facilities for handling otherthan a mere trickle of traffic.
The personnel of the Unit was dispersed between Surdon and Dreuxbut the bulk of the Battalion was quartered at Surdon.
And now, what had been an enigma of silence was unfolded asthe advance party arrived on September 14, 1944. They had left Lincoln,Nebraska, we learned, and proceeded to New York where they embarked onthe Mauritania. In five days, sailing without convoy protection they crossedthe Atlantic.
From the day the advance party landed in England their workbegan. Equipment ranging from giant prime movers to shovels was gatheredfrom every corner of England. Ample testimony that the party had performedits mission thoroughly was evident when the Unit's impedimenta was setdown in
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France. The Battalion was as well equipped to perform its mission aswas any similar unit then operating on the continent.
With the Unit complete once more, several projects were initiatedto improve Surdon. German Prisoners were obtained from Alencon and the"face lifting" began.
Work was started immediately to clean out and repair the stationand the few buildings that were not completely rendered useless by thesledge of war. The remainder were leveled and the surrounding areas cleared.
The station was used as dispatcher's office, Battalion Headquartersand sleeping quarters for transient crews as well as for Battalion Headquarterspersonnel.
Several smaller buildings were used for a Post Exchange, Chaplain'soffice and for the power unit which furnished electricity.
Five German, Pre-fabricated barracks were dismantled and movedfrom Nonaut Le Pin to Surdon where they were reconstructed on the sitewhere a short time before had stood bomb gutted buildings. One wasused for officers quarters, another for a dispensary, as a medical detachmentof two officers and nine enlisted men finally arrived and was assignedto the unit on October 13, 1944. A third was used for enlisted men's quarters.
Still under construction when the unit left Surdon were twoother barracks, one scheduled to be used as a mess hall and the other asenlisted personnel barracks.
Facilities for coaling engines were provided and water lineswere reconstructed to bring water into stand pipes for servicing locomotives.
A stockade and barracks were built to house 250 German prisonerswho were assigned as a permanent labor corps for the Battalion. The prisonerswere utilized to the utmost in all of the rehabilitation work and evenon the railroad, where security permitted.
Tracks and yard facilities were repaired and pressed into serviceto handle the rush of traffic that began to pour out
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of Cherbourg and through Surdon on the way to Paris and the combatareas beyond.
Concurrent with the rebuilding of Surdon the train movementand operating sections of the Unit kept supply trains moving. Company Cpersonnel worked day and night many of its crews going twenty four andthirty six hours without respite. The dispatchers and operators too, wereoccupied around the clock moving an endless stream of cars eastward toDreux.
So great, as a matter of fact, was the volume of traffic betweenthese points that the operating crews were worked to a point almost beyondhuman endurance. The 710th Railway Grand Division, to whom we were nowassigned under date of September 18, was aware of this situation, however,and on October 6, 1944 a radiogram was issued from their Headquarters attachingtwo officers and 127 enlisted men of the operating company of the732d Railway Operating Battalion, to Company C of this unit. This platoonarriving on the 14th of October, provided enough manpower to give reliefto the train and engine crews and they remained until October 21, at whichtime they returned to their parent organization.
On October 25, 1944 Headquarters of the 723d was closed at Surdonand re-established on the same day at Dreux, France. The Unit being assignedthe additional trackage west of Surdon to Argentan. This increase of divisionalterritory made the overall distance now covered, 112 kilometers or 70.4miles.
The situation by now permitted the hire of French civiliansas parts of crews and laborers in many jobs around the roundhouse and yards.The German Prisoner Company had been moved to Dreux and was still usedto very good advantage.
The outside interests during November included a memorial serviceand parade on Armistice Day when the Battalion was invited by the Cityof Dreux to participate in the activities of the day. There was agathering of the towns people in the main square where the parade was formed.This Unit being represented by officers, color bearers and
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guards, the Drum and Bugle Corps and a detachment of enlisted men armedwith rifles. The parade proceeded from the center of town to the cemeterywhere our men held services by the graves of American aviators killed nearDreux prior to American occupation. A very fine speech was made by theMajor of Dreux in honor of all war dead.
Thanksgiving was duly observed by the Battalion on November23, at a gathering where all members that could possibly be spared withouthampering operations, attended. Also attending the ceremony wereseveral officers from higher headquarters and the City Council of Dreux.With music and singing, the President's Thanksgiving Proclamation readby the Commanding Officer, a word from the Mayor and a brief message bythe Unit Chaplain, the program was completed with the award of Good ConductRibbons to 168 enlisted men by their respective Company Commanders.
The stage was appropriately decorated for the occasionwith fruits, vegetables and other merchandise. This, in addition to thefree will offering, taken at the close of the ceremony amounting to approximately3500 francs, was distributed to the poor and needy of Dreux and vicinity.
In the evening a dance was held, which incidentally, was thefirst public dance to be held in Dreux for approximately four years. TheDance was enjoyed by all military personnel of the area and by the civilianswho cared to attend.
On 9 November 1944 when changes were made in Grand DivisionTerritories the 723d was now under the 707th Railway Grand Division locatedat Cherbourg. The usual headaches were encountered that always occur whensuch changes are made. However, the Battalion's territory was not changedagain until December 23rd when the line was again extended and the Battalionwas bounced back to the 710th Railway Grand Division. This time the additionwas made east of Dreux to St. Cyr and including Matelots Yard at Versailles,making a total of 110.7 miles of the main rail supply line to the "Front",operated by the Unit.
With what turned out ho be the final major offensive actionby the German War Machine the Battalion was put on the
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alert and Christmas and New Years passed with very little celebration.
The spirit of Christmas was upheld, however, when at a suggestionfrom Battalion Headquarters and with the aid of the chaplain, the followingprogram was carried out:
22 December - The Chaplain, with a group of officers and enlistedmen, visited the schools extending greetings from the American Army. Morethan 2500 candy bars, donated by the men from their Christmas boxes andPost Exchange rations, were distributed to the children. Songs and Christmasexercises were presented by the children at each school.
23 December - The Chaplain visited the children's hospital anddistributed several hundred candy bars, apples, and toys.
25 December - About 230 French orphans, and children from verypoor families, were fed a Christmas dinner in several mess hells. Candyand toys were distributed after the meal. In the afternoon a movie of theAmerican armed forces in action was shown to 1500 French children. Withthe explanation and hope that their Christmas was brighter and happierbecause of the Allied Liberation of France.
When advised of the bombing of St. Lazare Station in Paris onthe night of December 26, a small detail from the Unit was sent to helprepair the damage. Two of this group received commendations for their efficientwork from the Superintendent of Equipment of the 710th Railway Grand Divisionand from their own Commanding Officer.
Several other commendations were received from higher headquarterswhile the Unit was at Dreux. One of the more notable being made for theefficient handling and safety record that was established during the Battalion'soperations on the continent.
Only one major accident occurred in this period An ammunitiontrain collided with a wrecking derrick overturning the engine and tender,killing a French fireman and setting fire to the ammunition cars. However,twenty of the twenty nine cars in the train were saved. Asa result two officers of the Battalion were later awarded Bronze Star Medalsfor performing exceptionally hazardous duties in connection with
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saving additional cars and pulling the fire on the engine to preventit from exploding. Several other members of the Unit were awarded MeritoriousService Certificates, by the Director General, Military Railway Servicefor their aid in clearing up the wreck.
A voluntary contribution was made by the men of the Battalion to thewidow of the deceased SNCF fireman in the amount of 10,500 francs ($ 210.00).
On the 21st of January the European Theater of OperationsBlood Bank sent out an urgent appeal for type "0" blood. All of the Companieswere checked and of the 355 EM with that type of blood, scattered over120 miles of railroad, 159 were able to make donations without any lossof time from work. Five officers of the Battalion also donated blood.
Another project, shortly afterward, was instituted in which12,244 francs was collected and contributed in the "March of Dimes" driveconducted in the States in connection with the celebration of the President'sbirthday. Altering the customary slogan, the 723d campaign was publicizedas a "March of Dimes Across the Sea" and a money order ($ 246.00) was sentto the Warm Springs Foundation, in care of the President of the UnitedStates.
The balance of the present assignment was uneventful exceptfor the gradual change to Phase III Operation, whereby the French tookover the operation of this territory and under Movement Orders from HeadquartersSecond Military Railway Service dated l2 March 1945, the Battalion Supplies,Equipment and personnel left on four trains on March
13th, "Destination Germany"!
Following close on the heels of the advancing American Forces,the Unit arrived in Munchen-Gladbach at night. Amid the distant rumblingof Artillery the first train passed through the ghostly terminal unknowingly,but stopped short a few miles beyond with the nose of the engine in a bombcrater and the personnel untangling themselves from other arms, legs andequipment at the front of each car. Only a few suffered bruises and scratches,however, arid the train was pulled back to the station just at dawn.
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Headquarters was established at Munchen-Gladbach. Germanyon 15 March 1945 at 1200 hours; one year to the day and hour after Headquarterswas established at Lincoln, Nebraska to start training for it's primarymission. At that time no one dared to predict that the 723d Railway OperatingBattalion would be operating in Germany one year from that date.
With this change in operating territory came the change of technicalsupervision from the 710th to the 708th Railway Grand Division. The mainline of operation was from Herzogenrath to Geldern with railheads changingfrom time to time to fit the needs of the Ninth U.S. Army, whom we werenow serving on a priority movement basis.
Operations were under shell fire quite often at severalpoints along the line but no serious damage was caused and no lives lostfrom this action. Of course this threat was removed almost overnight whenthe Ninth Army broke through the German Rhine defenses and changed thebattle line from within a few miles to a point approximately half way acrossGermany.
The untimely death of our President and Commander in Chief wasmourned by all and a memorial service was held on April 14th at the BattalionChapel in his honor.
During April an increasing flow of supplies were pushed throughto keep up with the lightening advance of the armies and westward trainshauled an estimated 125,000 prisoners of war and 29,000 French and Belgiumrepatriates in the month period.
The 723d's most important and exacting task was the operationof the Gouldin Bridge at Wesel - first railroad span constructed acrossthe Rhine River. Operation of the bridge became the Unit's responsibilityon 26 April, and from then to VE-Day, a daily average of 16 Eastbound trainscrossed the river - or about one train eastward every hour.
The significance of operating the bridge becomes evident onconsidering that over a single track span it has been
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necessary to funnel all Eastbound traffic to the American 1st, 9thand 15th Armies as well as the British 2nd Army. Thus the bridge was, ineffect, a self-imposed bottleneck which, unless expertly tended and controlled,would have choked off rail traffic destined for supply depots and railheadssupporting the Allied sweep to victory.
It is of prime importance that we not forget the splendid workdone continually by the track, bridge and signal platoons of Company "A".Their never-ending job of construction, maintenance and rehabilitationwas accomplished under hazardous conditions and in all kinds of weather,making it possible to speed up operations with good communicationsand with an increasingly safer right-of-way.
The accomplishments of the car, shop and roundhouse platoonsof Company "B" are evident as shown in statistics listed at the end ofthis narrative.
The 9th of May saw the official end of the war in Europe, thusour operations were reversed. The flow of certain items, such asammunition and ordnance material to the forward areas was halted and agreat movement to the rear was started.
Once again a change in Grand Division jurisdiction was madeand on 17 April the Unit was again under the 707th. Several adjustmentsin the Battalion's territory were made from time to time. The majorchange involved the assignment of the line from Munchen-Gladbach,over the Victory Bridge at Duisberg to Hamm, Germany, on 23 May 1945. Alsothe the spur lines from Viersen, to Dulken, Germany, and Krefield to Willich,Germany, were still the responsibility of the 723d.
Several former German railroad employees were hired before theend of hostilities to help get electrically operated switches andcontrol towers in the various yards into service and with the end of thewar utilization of all former railroad personnel was started. The ultimategoal being to turn back all operations to the Germans, havingonly supervisional control by the occupying forces.
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With this goal now attained and the supervision ofthe railroads turned over to the British in this, their occupational territory,the 723d has completed it's mission in the ETO.
The Battalion is authorized Battle Stars for campaigns, "NorthernFrance", "Rhineland" and "Central Europe". The Unit had no casualties fromdirect enemy action but there were four deaths from accidents. One officerlost a hand and one EM lost a foot from mines planted near the right-of-wayat Duisberg. Each accident was as unfortunate as are all accidents butto be serving under the conditions of modern war, injuries and casualtieshave been extremely low in this Unit.
On 3 July 1945 the announcement was made that the Battalionwas classified a Category IV Unit and at some future date, yet to be determined,would return to the USA for deactivation thus ending the life of a battalion.
Now, with calisthenics, close order drill and special serviceprograms to pass the time, one question is in the mind of each individual,"When and where do I go from here?", as no one knows who will remain withthe Unit to go "overseas" (USA) or who will be redeployed in this zone- only time and Special Orders will tell.
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JOHN R. VALENTINE, JR.
Technician Fifth Grade
Killed in line of duty:
France - 10 December 1944
*
JAMES V. GROSS
Private First Class
Killed in line of duty:
Germany - 31 March 1945
*
WILLIAM G. MILES
Technician Fifth Grade
Killed in line of duty:
*
ARTHUR R. HOVELAND
Private First Class
Died - Germany - 2 June 1945
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Campaign Star "NORHTERN FRANCE"
Letter, Hq, ETOUSA, file AG 200.6 OpGA; Subject
"Battle Particaption Awards", dated 21 April 1945.
Campaign Star "RHINELAND"
Letter, Hq, ETOUSA, file AG 200.6 OpGA; Subject
"Battle Particaption Awards", dated 6 July 1945.
Campaign Star "CENTRAL EUROPE"
Letter, Hq, ETOUSA, file AG 200.6 OpGA; Subject
"Battle Particaption Awards", dated 27 June 1945.
Campaign Ribbon EAME
WD Circular No. 62, 11 February 1944
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Captain ThomasW. McCabe
Purple Heart -
Awarded by GO 52, Hq32d General Hospital, APO 228,
U.S. Army dated 19 June 1945 for wounds recievedas a
result of enemy action in Germany 10 June 1945.
Bronze Star -
Awarded by GO 100, Hq, Com Z, ETOUSA, 11 June 1945,
for meritorious service in connection with miltary
operations 25 January 1945, in France.
Captain George O. Larmer
Bronze Star -
Awarded by GO 100, Hq, Com Z, ETOUSA, 11 June 1945,
for meritorious service in connection with miltary
operations 25 January 1945, in France.
Pfc Ivan G. Stewart
Purple Heart -
Awarded by GO 52, Hq32d General Hospital, APO 228,
U.S. Army dated 19 June 1945 for wounds recievedas a
result of enemy action in Germany 10 June 1945.
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| 1st Lt. Harold D. Lurie | Tec 4 William H. Thompson |
| T/Sgt Joseph E. Kaschuluk | Tec 5 Ottis R. Brown |
| T/Sgt Raymond H. Smith | Tec 5 Thomas W. Canty |
| Sgt Franklin J. Carto | Tec 5 Earl O. Full |
| Sgt Claude E. Palmer | Pfc John H. Becker |
| Sgt Fred J. Sachs | Pfc Donald V. Cornia |
| Tec 4 Harry N. Alexander | Pfc Webb S. Swann |
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"GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN"
| RANK | NAME & POSITION | ASN | DATE ASSIGNED | DATE TRANSFERRED |
| 1st Lt | Blessman, Charles W. Rd Foreman of Engines | 21 Dec 43 | 4 Mar 44 | |
| 2d Lt | Bryan, Gilbert B. Battalion Supply Officer | 21 Dec 43 | 11 Mar 44 | |
| 1st Lt | Crabb, Vernon R. Chief Dispatcher | 21 Dec 43 | 4 Mar 44 | |
| 1st Lt | Curley, Leo C. Asst Trainmaster | 27 mAY 44 | 16 JUL 45 | |
| 2d Lt | Davis, Sidney T. Asst Trainmaster | 16 Feb 44 | 8 Jul 44 | |
| 1st Lt | Gregory, Carlos F. Yardmaster | 21 Dec 43 | 5 Jun 45 | |
| Capt | Johnson, Robert E. Headquarters Company Commander | 13 Jul 44 | 15 Jul 45 | |
| WOJC | Kramer, Paul J. Asst Divison Storekeeper | 15 Feb 44 | 7 May 44 | |
| Capt | Lumpkin, Ennis J. Adjutant | 21 Dec 43 | 26 Feb 44 | |
| Capt | McDermett, Gage C. Headquarters Company Commander | 21 Dec 43 | 8 Jul 44 | |
| Capt | McCabe, Thomas W. Trainmaster | 21 Dec 43 | 19 Jun 45 | |
| 1st Lt | Mylott, Raymond F. Rd Foreman of Engines | 21 Dec 43 | 5 Jun 45 | |
| 2d Lt | Olive, William M., Jr. Administrative Officer Company A | 5 Jul 44 | 9 Mar 45 | |
| 1st Lt | Raymond, Lloyd C. Mess Officer | 19 Jan 44 | 21 Jul 44 | |
| 2d Lt | Rushing, Roy W., Jr. Rd Foreman of Engines | 21 Dec 43 | 27 Dec 43 | |
| Capt | Rusthoi, Howard W. Chaplain | 21 Dec 43 | 16 Feb 45 | |
| 1st Lt | Talley, Russell L. Yardmaster | 21 Dec 43 | 30 Apr 44 |
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OFFICERS
| State | City | Name | Rank |
| CA | Pasadena | Larmer, George O. Adjutant | Capt |
| CA | Sacramento | Columbia, Charles M. Mechanical Engineer | 1st Lt |
| DC | Washington | Van Vliet, Elvin W. Administrative Officer | 1st Lt |
| ID | Pocatello | Joest, Earl O. Master Mechanic | Capt |
| IL | Harvard | Peters, Glenn W. Asst Master Mechanic | 1st Lt |
| IL | Sparta | Tefertillar, George C. Track Supervisor | 1st Lt |
| MD | Relay | McClooney, James E. Chief Dispatcher | 1st Lt |
| MI | Grand Rapids | Alvord, James L. Maintenance of Way Supervisor | Capt |
| MI | Jackson | Fedore, Herman J. Rd Foreman of Engines | 1st Lt |
| MI | Detroit | Laur, William E. Battalion Surgeon | 1st Lt |
| MO | Kansas City | Gresham, Doyle Superintendent | Lt Col |
| MO | Pine Lawn | Dyer, Vernon G. Asst Maintenace of Way Supervisor | 1st Lt |
| NE | Boelus | Jacobsen, John B & B Supervisor | 1st Lt |
| NE | Omaha | Spain, Arthur J. Railway Car Foreman | 1st Lt |
| NJ | Maplewood | Hildebrand, John C., Jr. Administrative Officer Company C | 2d Lt |
| NY | New York | Administrative Officer Company B | 2d Lt |
| ND | Minot | Campbell, Albert E. Enginehouse Foreman | 1st Lt |
| ND | Steele | Madsen, Harold S. Asst Trainmaster | 1st Lt |
| OH | Toledo | Conner, Ralph W. Asst Division Storekeeper | WOJC |
| PA | Philadelphia | Lurie, Harold D. Mess Officer | 1st Lt |
| PA | Pittsburgh | Kuntz, Edward V. Battalion Dental Officer | 1st Lt |
| TX | Brownwood | Tillman, Thomas B. Division Storekeeper | Capt |
| UT | Garfield | Goff, Aubrey E. Signal Supervisor | 1st Lt |
| VA | Woodstock | Edwards, Johathan Chaplain | Capt |
| WY | Cheyenne | West, Oscar E. Asst Superintendent | Major |
PAGES 31 and 32
HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
HHC ROSTER
PAGES 33 to 37
CHARLIE COMPANY
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
C Co ROSTER
PAGES 37 to 38
PAGE 39
PAGE 40
CHARLIE COMPANY
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
C Co ROSTER
PAGES 41 to 48
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
A Co ROSTER
PAGES 48 to 55
BRAVO COMPANY
ENLISTED PERSONNEL
B Co ROSTER
PAGES 55 to 59
TRAIN MOVEMENTS - FRANCE, 11 SEPT 1944 TO 12 MARCH 1945
| EAST | WEST | |||||||
| Net Tons | Train | Loads | ||||||
| September 308 | 10,804 | 40 | 151,256 | 343 | 96 | 11,660 | 1,344 | |
| October 651 | 24,725 | 2,168 | 311,062 | 650 | 1,026 | 23,990 | 12,314 | |
| November 692 | 30,101 | 1,920 | 343,107 | 622 | 1,251 | 19,961 | 15,007 | |
| December 491 | 22,508 | 2,010 | 277,216 | 504 | 761 | 17,698 | 9,126 | |
| January 620 | 19,899 | 1,083 | 248,880 | 790 | 10,047 | 14,626 | 116,698 | |
| February 696 | 21,511 | 2,391 | 264,108 | 912 | 13,878 | 14,147 | 162,390 | |
| March-12th 393 | 15,521 | 1,821 | 201,773 | 500 | 6,955 | 11,778 | 97,370 | |
| TOTAL 3,851 | 144,978 | 11,433 | 1,797,402 | 4,321 | 34,014 | 113,860 | 414,249 | |
| OPERATIONS IN FRANCE |
TRAIN MOVEMENTS - GERMANY, 20 MARCH 1945 TO 15 JULY 1945
| EAST | WEST | |||||||
| No. Trains | Loads | Mtys | Net Tons | Trains | Loads | Mtys | Net Tons | |
March-20th 486 | 12,586 | 888 | 176,204 | 413 | 2,229 | 8,857 | 31,206 | |
| April754 | 23,832 | 8,142 | 333,648 | 537 | 6,886 | 6,562 | 96,404 | |
| May633 | 18,883 | 2,357 | 264,362 | 632 | 17,423 | 12,326 | 243,922 | |
| June717 | 19,754 | 9,224 | 276,556 | 1,034 | 37,385 | 7,773 | 523,390 | |
| July-15th 449 | 13,826 | 4,155 | 193,564 | 613 | 19,505 | 6,712 | 273,050 | |
| TOTAL 3,039 | 88,881 | 24,766 | 1,244,334 | 3,229 | 83,428 | 42,230 | 1,167,992 | |
| OPERATIONS IN GERMANY |
| TOTAL OPERATIONS | No. Trains | Loads | Mtys | Net Tons |
| 14,440 | 351,301 | 192,289 | 4,623,977 |
CAR, SHOP and ROUNDHOUSE
| CAPTURED ENEMY FREIGHT & | No. CARS | No. Engines | Serviced | ||
| PASSENGER CARS STENCILED | Repaired | ||||
| Germany | |||||
| 5,355 |
PAGE 60
TRANSPORTATION CORPS
KEEP IT MOVIN', KEEP IT MOVIN', THAT'S A JOB -
THE STUFF HAS GOTTA GET TO 'BUCKS',TO THE 'BOOTS',
THAT WE KNOW -
GOTTA FEED 'EM, HOWWE NEED'EM, BILL AND JOE,
THEY'LL BE MOPPIN' UP THE FOE.
WE LOAD THE SHIPS -
WE LOAD THE TRAINS -
SO THAT THE OTHER LADS CAN LOAD THE GUNS
AND PLANES.
WHEN YOU HEAR A MIGHTY ROAR,
IT'S THE TRANSPORTATION CORPS,
WE'VE GOTTA DELIVERTHE GOODS AND NOT A SINGLE
MAN COMPLAINS.
ALONG THE ROAD -
ALONG THE TRACK -
THE BRINY DEEP, WE GET 'EM THERE, WE BRING 'EM BACK.
DAY AND NIGHT WE'RE ON DUTY ON THE SEA AND SHORE;
ALWAYS READY TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO SAVE THE NATION -
THE ARMY TRANSPORTATION CORPS!
PAGE 61
Now on 26 August comes General Order No.44
From General Headquarters MilitaryRailway
Service assigning us to the First Military Railway
Service. And so - on to Marseillesand Home?
PAGE 62
PAGE 63
RHEINISCHE DRUCKEREI G.M. B.H.
Munchen-Galdbach (Germany)
PAGE 64
BACK COVER
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