KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Members of the 729th Transportation Battalion, old and new, gathered for a ceremonial returning of the unit colors, early on a Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in New Haven, Conn. The 729th Railway Operating Battalion deactivated in 1976. Their last days were chaotic, according to U.S. Army Reserve Col. (Ret.) Vincent Palmeri, an alumnus of the 76th Division, the co-located higher headquarters of the 729th in Middletown, Conn., preventing the customary return of the unit colors to the U.S. Army Center of Military History. U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Richard Gillen, the commander at the time, kept the original colors, a relic from 1942, adorned with four campaign steamers, following the unit's tumultuous deactivation. His widow, Joy, preserved the unit banner, only surrendering it to Palmeri, a trusted retired officer, for safekeeping. 

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/483545/historic-colors-returned-transportation-battalion-europe

 Clifford Crane 

Joe L. Hall

 Charles James Collett 

 Oscar R. Kirchner 

 William T. Coffey 

Leonard P. Mays

 Albert Blythe 

Silas E. Foster

 Emmett John Hegarty 

 George E. Van Kleeck also served in 716th ROB

Edward Boland

This great photo album was passed around through various unit members many years ago, see the little note at end of photos for more informtion. https://photos.app.goo.gl/te3g9XkR5W1Ckq9fA

This is an amazing biography and first hand account by Army railroader D.M.(Bing) Quimby serving with the 711th ROB during WWII in Iran. Thanks to his son, Russ Quimby and the Quimby family for sharing this amazing book with us,

Russ wrote ... Nancy, I just finished reading Christian Wolmar's "The Liberation Line" where I discovered your name and website. As a Class of 1974 West Point graduate who spent most of my working life in railroading, and as the son of a railroad engineer who was in the 711th ROB in Iran during WWII, I am gratified that you are preserving the Military Railway Service history and memories. Four of 13 chapters of my father's self published autobiography "One of the Last" by D.M. (Bing) Quimby (1995 Vantage Press) deal with his experiences in the 711th ROB in Iran. Only 200 copies were published, but I would be glad to send you a copy for reference. I think that you might find his story of some interest.

Fascinating autobiography of Bing Quimby, one of the last engineers to run a steam locomotive in the United States. A quintessential small town boy, the author describes his youth growing up in Nebraska in the 1920s, bumming his way to California in his teens (and getting into scrapes along the way), working as a fireman for the railroad, serving in the Army during World Ward II where his locomotive delivered supplies to the Russians from Iran, and then the years as an engineer of steam locomotives back home before making the transition to diesel. Illustrated with black and white photos. 232 pages. 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vantage Press; First Edition (January 1, 1995) 

Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 232 pages 

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0533111544 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0533111541 

 James J. Darcy

Glen V. Jones 

 Hollis O. Pack

Alfred Joseph Blake 

Lewis V. Stitt

The 740th Railway Operating Battalion in France & Belgium Charles W. Heffner