There is a post about this 715th bell on the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum-blog and thank goodness for it, you can read it here
I'm pretty sure the L.B. Griffin is my Uncle Larry Griffin, if anyone else is related to anyone from the 715th or knows anymore about the unit or this bell let me know -Thanks, Nancy cunningb2@gmail.com
The above "17" brass bell 1943 Illinois Central railroad 715th RROB" is described as follows:
"Brass railroad bell mounted on wooden plate. I believe this bell was
"owned" by the 715th Railroad Operating Battalion. The 715th served in Italy from 1943-1945 and operated the lines between Pisa and the northern Italian coast, supplying the effort to drive the Nazis from the Apennines and out of the Po Valley of Northern Italy.
They were sponsored by the Illinois Central Railroad.
One side is engraved:
Company B
715th Operating battalion
Feb 5th 1943
The other side is engraved with the names of members of the unit:
Capt W. T. Kelly
Lt. R.J. Chinn
Lt. L.B. Griffin
Lt. E.V. Heisler
Lt. J. B. Mattingly
Boiler base 8", base to top of yoke-17", width of yoke-10', bell diameter 8" weighs approx 40 lbs."
Over the years these names have been mentioned as being in the 715th
Raymond D. Simpson, served in Company A Oct 1942 to Oct 1945
Arnold Wolters Apennines and po valley campaigns. his name was arnold wolters.
Herbert L. Williams trainmaster of that unit
715th Railway Operating Battalion
Thursday, November 05, 2009
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3 comments:
Believe my Grandfather Ralph Smith Ward served in this unit. Have been looking for more information on the unit. All I knew was the unit number and that he served in North Africa...
Any more information would be appreciated greatly.
Chance Rosic
crosic@hotmail.com
I recently found out my Grandfather was in Company A of this unit. I have many letters he wrote to my grandmother. He was Sgt. Clifford Akers. I do not know a lot but did stay in Italy and it was brutally cold.
Lonnie Walters, my grandfather, served on Company A 715th Battalion in WWII from North Africa to Italy. I am just beginning to research his military time. He was originally from Kentucky and lived briefly in Ohio prior to being drafted.
Anything you are willing to share with me I would be eternally grateful for.
chica_del_isla0625@yahoo.com
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