Atlantic Coast Transportation Corps Officer Training September 1943 Fort Slocum, NY

ACTC Sept 1943 by Nancy on Scribd

759th Railway Operating Battalion World War II sponsored by Missouri Pacific Lines

759th Rob Wwii by Nancy

I purchased this on Ebay and then handscanned the entire book. If you would like to donate to this blog please use the Paypal Donate link to the right ! Thanks !

United States Army in World War 2, Technical Services, Transportation Corps, Movements, Training, and Supply

708th Railway Grand Divisio... by Nancy

708th Railway Grand Divisio... by Nancy

here is another digital copy

708th RWY Grand by Nancy

* This s such a great story, thanks so much to Tom for not only pursuing the research but sharing the story ! This kind of connection happens frequently on this blog because of all the people who share their father’s/ grandfathers military service through stories, documents and photos. If you have something you’d like to share about your Military Railway Veteran contact me today Nancy -cunnningb2@gmail.com I can help you get items scanned and shared. Hats off to Tom !

So, timely for Veterans Day: The other day I was talking to this 87-year-old gentleman, David Pirkle, Senior. He resides in the same Assisted Living Facility as my mother, in Alpharetta, Georgia. Born 1925, and, as it turns out, during World War II, he was in the 735th Railway Operating Battalion, Company B, and at the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945.

I told him I'd look on the web for info about his Company. On a website, militaryrailwayservice.blogspot.com, I found info about the Railway Operating Battalions, and specifically, there was a Carl Vernoy, who was also in the 735th Railway Operating Battalion, Company B, died 1989. Carl's daughter had posted some pictures from her dad's wartime experiences, and one of them had Carl standing next to a David. There'd be like 144 guys in a Company, so there could be a number of Davids, but what if it was the same guy? So the next day I showed him the picture, without any captions or explanation, and asked if any of the guys looked familiar, and right away he pointed to the 2nd guy from the right, and said, "That's me." As it happened, his son arrived a few minutes later, and he too confirmed the identification. In this web-post, David Pirkle is in the picture of the 4 guys standing outdoors in front of a window in Brussels, February 1945. His buddy Carl Vernoy is next to him on the far right. The guy on the far left may be a Harry Radka, but that's unconfirmed.

The man next to him (second from the left) is unidentified, except that the photo listed him as being later killed in Belgium. From Left to Right: (Possibly) Harry Radka, Unknown (Killed in Belgium 1945), David Pirkle Senior, and Carl Vernoy. Picture courtesy of Mary Vernoy, Carl's daughter. David went into Army training right after his 18th birthday in October 1943. He was at Fort McPherson and Fort Benning in Georgia, and later Fort Snelling in Minnesota. Then they were deployed to England, and in October 1944, about 4 months after D-Day, landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy. And then, by December 1944-January 1945 at the Battle of the Bulge. David described having to clear bodies off the road under enemy fire. As he put it, if the bodies grunted, they went on a truck to a field hospital, if they didn't, they were moved to the side of the road so the trucks and tanks could get by without running them over.

Obviously, made quite an impression on a 19-year-old. By February 1945 he was in Brussels. Possibly after that, he ended up with pneumonia at a field hospital. He described a time they ran out of gasoline and had to use someone's homemade alcohol for fuel in the jeeps. Company B of the 735th commandeered enemy engines and rolling stock. David references a Captain Andrews who was in charge of Company B, who later died in Germany. Other members of Company B that David remembers: Carl Vernoy, Harry Radka, and Jim Cherry. Also, not quite as well as the above, but he remembers a Sgt Chalmer Lavelle and Tec 4 Joseph Shuboney, Also, 2 men from Company B he didn't recall: Tec 5 Paul Masterson and T Sgt George Rosar.

I obtained these names from a Fort Snelling firearms qualification report report provided by John Lewis, son of Captain Francis Lewis, Company A. Mr. Pirkle may be the last surviving member of the 735th Railroad Operating Battalion, Company B. There's more information about the 735th Railway Operating Battalion here, although mostly about members of Company A and C, not B. ( *click on 735th in index on the right)

Tom originally posted this story and blogs here (link below) where you can contact him. http://planettom.livejournal.com/328167.html

The photo was taken on (Printed on sign) "CAMP DODGE SEPT. 12, 1917 DES MOINES IOWA". Taken from a huge 46" long by 10" tall, these 1917 photo are like being in a time machine. Taken during America’s involvement in World War One, the Army Camp is busting with activity. Super details including Barracks, Tents, Soldiers, Mounted Soldiers, Guns, Army Wagons, Vintage Car, Trucks, Constuction Equipment, Materials, Workers Etc. The photo also features the Railroad yard with Railroad cars from ... ROCK ISLAND, CB & Q, BURLINGTON ROUTE, CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN, INTER-URBAN, UNION PACIFIC, PENNSYLVANIA, FRISCO Etc. There is even a view of a 1917 Motion Moving Passenger Train with a view of the STEAM from the STEAM ENGINE.

Gene Bryan - M.R.S.

These great photos and newsletters thanks to Polly, daughter of Dock Williams.

** note the reunion group newsletters includes names of soldiers from both the 757th and the 722nd

722nd ROB Newsletter 1998 by Nancy Cunningham

722 Nd ROB Newsletter Jan 1999 by Nancy Cunningham

Some interesting information on the 708th Grand Railway Division on the Second World War Blog..check it out here

708th Grand Railway Division The George Burkley Diary was featured in the unsolved history tab for several years and recently the Burkley family contacted me through this site. I have spoke with George Burkley's grandson and have learned many interesting things in regards to Mr. Burkley. My original theory that Mr. Burkley was injured in a V-2 rocket attack in 1945 was correct. He was injured in this attack when a rocket hit the 708th Grand Railway Division HQ. Sadly Mr. Burkley passed away in 1953. As I learn more about Mr. Burkley I will continue to update the attic. Captain Burkley kept a journal that starts September 9th, 1943 stateside, but then abruptly ends September 6th, 1944 in France. His journal takes the reader from camp in New Orleans to New York for debarkation. His journey across the Atlantic was on none other than the Queen Mary and his entries while in London during the Luftwaffe air raides are nothing less than intriguing. From London he will cross the English Channel to France where some of his entries describe: German pill boxes, dead Germans, the invasion beach heads, and more. Please take the time to peruse the fully transcribed journal featured below. Some excellent entries for reading are: October 24th 1943, July 15th 1944, July 16th 1944, and September 6th 1944. read on here
Captain George W. Burkley # 0-500827 708 Railway Grand Division

Running on Time by Nancy

752nd Railway Operating Battalion Co. B Unit History by Nancy

Thanks so much to the family of T.E. "Steve" Stephenson for this great document !!

T.E. (Steve) Stephenson March 1, 2012

T.E. (Steve) Stephenson of Duncan, Okla., formerly of Big Spring, Texas, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. He was born April 3, 1924, in Odell, Wilbarger County, Texas, to George R. and Mary J. Stephenson. As a child, he and his family moved to Romney, Eastland County, Texas, where he lived until he went into the service. Steve served in the United States Army during World War II in Company B 752nd Railway Operating Battalion. He served 20 months in the European theater. On Nov. 5, 1948, Steve married the love of his life, Maudie Fay Perdue. In 1951, he started his career with Halliburton in Eunice, N.M., and ended it 34 years later in Big Spring, Texas.

Steve is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maudie Perdue Stephenson; son, Terry Stephenson and wife Mary of Midland, Texas; daughter, Vonda Stephenson and life partner Pat Dunham of Big Spring, Texas; son, Stanley Stephenson and wife Patti of Duncan, Okla.; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Della Pearl Richie of Seminole, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and four sisters. Steve was a terrific husband, father, PaPa and friend. He loved God, his family and friends. He impacted the lives of most anyone with whom he came into contact. He loved to fish, play cards and dominoes and watch his favorite western movies and sports teams. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Victory Assembly Church, 208 E. Eighth St., Cisco, Texas, with Pastor Ken McMeans of College Baptist Church of Big Spring, Texas, officiating.

 A gathering of family and friends will be held afterward at the Hillside Community Center, which is on the west side of Humble Ave. between E. 10th St. and E. 11th St. in Cisco. A private burial will be held prior to the memorial service at the Oakwood Cemetery in Cisco, Texas, under the directions of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral Home of Marlow, Okla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to College Baptist Church, 1105 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, Texas 79720. 432-267-7429.

3rd Military Railway Service Persian Command

724 Frank Sinatra

724 Hal Wilson Memory

724william Memories

These great photos thanks to MikeC in the UK. He's working on a book and I'll post a link for how to purchase as soon as it's available ! Thanks Mike!

Thanks so much to John, son of Francis Lewis for sharing these wonderful photos of his father's. More coming soon...

 


 

This amazing photo was taken by Francis Lewis as they landed on  Omaha Beach

Thanks so much to Peter Barber's son,  Peter for sharing this great document

743rd Barber by Nancy Cunningham

From Thomas, Albert Jones' son... My father, Albert H. Jones, served approximately 3 years in Iran during WWII. Only
recently has he wanted to talk about his experiences. He started with the 754th Railway Shop Battalion and then went to the 730th Railway Operating Battalion. About a year ago I put him in contact with one of his army buddies and they have been sharing pictures. Unfortunately, some of the pictures I have are not the best quality but there are names and notes written on many of them. ( thanks so much to Albert's family for sharing this great info !)

documents

730th Docs by Nancy

Transportation Corps Movements Training and Supply

Online World War II Indexes & Records
A Genealogy Guide Online World War II Indexes & Records - USA

• World War II Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File This database contains records of aboout 9 million men and women who enlisted in the United States Army, including the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC, later WAC). Although incomplete, the records contain data for a majority of the enlistments in the US Army during World War II, including each person's serial number. Also available online at Fold3/formerly Footnote (easier to search):
  • World War II Army Enlistment Database - WWII Heroes at Fold3

• Ancestry's World War II Records Collection (requires payment) includes...
  • U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
  • U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
  • World War II & Korean War Veterans Buried Overseas nearly 160,000 listings -- Title of the records in this database: "Register, World War II Dead Interred in American Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, and World War II and Korea Missing or Lost or Buried at Sea"
  • U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949
  • U.S. Navy Cruise Books Index, 1918-2009
  • U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958
  • U.S. World War II Cadet Nursing Corps Card Files, 1942-1948
  • American Jewish Historical Society WWII Jewish Servicemen Cards, 1942-1947
  • World War II Prisoners of War, 1941-1946; and WWII Prisoners of the Japanese, 1941-1945
  • World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945
  • World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945
  • World War II Japanese-American Internment Camp Documents, 1942-1946
  • WWII U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Muster Rolls, 1939-1949
  • A subscription also includes the WWII draft cards listed next...

• World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (requires payment) from the Fourth Registration, referred to as the "old man's registration," conducted on 27 April 1942 -- for men born on or between 28 April 1877 and 16 February 1897. Digitized WWII fourth registration draft cards are presently available at Ancestry for the following states: Alaska, Arkansas (partial), California (partial), Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana (partial), Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (partial), Ohio (partial), Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
  • Ancestry also has WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1898-1929 for North Carolina (requires payment)

• World War II Draft Cards - Fourth Registration at FamilySearch (includes index and digitized images of the draft cards) for Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City (the Bronx, Kings County/Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island), Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
  • FamilySearch also has: Georgia World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1942 for individuals born between 1897 and 1929

• World War II Documents and Records at Fold3 (formerly Footnote) (requires payment) includes...
  • Interactive USS Arizona Memorial
  • WWII Hero Pages
  • WWII Photos
  • WWII Documents and Records including: Submarine Patrol Reports, Missing Air Crew Reports, Pearl Harbor Muster Rolls, Naval Press Clippings, Army and Navy JAG Files, and more

• Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 (included with an Ancestry subscription/requires payment); The Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File contains birth and death dates, and other information, for more than 14 million veterans who received benefits from the VA while they were alive.

• World War II National Memorial Registry (USA)

• Casualties and MIA...
  • Service Personnel Not Recovered Following World War II (MIA) database of missing WWII service members from the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)
  • World War II Casualties for Army & Army Air Forces Personnel (scanned documents listed by state)
  • World War II Casualties for Navy, Marine Corps, & Coast Guard (scanned documents listed by state)
  • Missing Air Crew Reports, WWII (at Fold3) from NARA Microfilm Publication M1380; includes over 16,000 case files of Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs) and related records of the US Army Air Forces, 1942-1947 (searches are free; requires payment to view the images of the records)
  • American Battle Monuments Commission - World War II Section records of casualties buried in American military cemeteries overseas

• Pearl Harbor...
  • Pearl Harbor Muster Rolls (at Fold3) detailed muster rolls listing all personnel assigned to ships based at Pearl Harbor 1939-1947, and those missing or dead (searches are free; requires payment to view the images of the records)
  • Pearl Harbor Casualty List

• Access to Archival Databases (AAD) from the US National Archives - included are some WWII related databases such as...
  • World War II Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File (see description above)
  • World War II Prisoners of War File, ca. 1942 - ca. 1947
  • World War II Prisoners of the Japanese - Data File
  • Japanese-American Internee File, 1942-1946

• American Merchant Marine Databases includes: Names of WWII Merchant Marine Killed, Names and Fates of WWII Merchant Marine POWs, Names of U.S. Naval Armed Guard Killed and Wounded

Lots more here http://www.militaryindexes.com/worldwartwo/index.html 

Hughes 754thrailwayshopbatt... by Nancy

750th vancil

765thElmer Wilke 031112

753rd Railway Shop Battalion Anzio Annie

759th MMetz by Nancy

Thanks Mark Metz

Training at Camp Clairborne -thanks Mark Metz

 From August 1941 and July 1942 the 711th Railway Operating Battalion with help from the 91st and 93rd Engineer Battalions, constructed a 47.66 mile railroad in Louisiana between the Missouri Pacific Railroad which served Camp Claiborne, LA and the Kansas City Southern Railway that served Camp Polk, LA. Known as the Claiborne – Polk Military Railway (C&P) it became the primary Army owned and operated facility for “technical” training of Military Railway Service (MRS) units. Informally known as the Crime and Punishment, the line afforded the Army total flexibility for tactical training in basic railroad operations.

 Ultimately, a total of six Railway Operating Battalions (ROB) and the two Railway Shop Battalions (RSB) would conduct"technical" training on the C&P. Units conducting "technical" training on the C&P included the 711th ROB (Training Battalion), 712th ROB (RDG & CNJ), 714th ROB (Omaha Road)( both "basic & technical), 718th ROB (NYC), 725th ROB (C,RI,&P)(both "basic &"technical"?), and the 752nd ROB (B&M). Also, training, both "basic & technical", on the
C&P were the 760th RSB ( ? ) & 762 RSB (Alco), the MRS’ two diesel shop battalions. Five additional battalions, the 715th ROB (IC), 719th ROB (T&NO), 759th ROB (MP)*, 754th RSB (SP)**, and 755th RSB (N&W) were activated and conducted basic training at Camp Claiborne but transferred to commercial training facilities for technical training.

 C&P TECHNICAL TRAINING TIMELINE

 711th ROB Arrived August 10, 1041 to help build and operate the C&P C&P completed and "golden spike" driven July 10, 1942 (July 11per 711th). Deployed for Iran October 21, 1942

 759th ROB Assigned September 1, 1942 Assumed operation of C&P October 21, 1942 Reassigned Camp Jesse Turner, AR, December 10, 1942*

 714th ROB Assigned October 31, 1942 Deployed to Alaska RR March 15, 1943

 725th ROB Assigned March 24, 1943 to November 29, 1943

 712th ROB Assigned December 1, 1943 to March 1944

 718th ROB Assigned February 22, 1944 to June 24, 1944

 752nd ROB Assigned July 4. 1944 to December 16. 1944

 770th ROB Assigned November 28, 1944 to August 7, 1945

 714th ROB Assigned May 26, 1945 to January 4, 1946

 760th RSB Assigned June 15, 1942 to September 29, 1942

 762nd RSB Assigned October 15, 1942 to December 31, 1942

 * The 759th "technical" training was split between Camp Claiborne and Camp Jesse Turner, AR.

 Today Camp Claiborne is a forest of mature trees interlaced with decaying roads and building foundations. While a short segment of the C&P continues in service at Fort Polk, the balance of the right of way is trackless but with use of topographic map and back roads can be located at many locations. Still inscribed in the Camp Claiborne enginehouse foundation are the initials C, RI, & P RR from the 725th ROB. Otherwise with the exception of a plaque by the still existing main gate, little marks the existence of this once thriving military base and even less of the C&P training railroad.

Thanks so much to Mark Metz for this !

Transportation Corps Operations Overseas

Hospital Train Sept Railroa... by on Scribd