729th Railway Operating Battalion Trager and many others

Toni Alexandra, the granddaughter of Pfc. Harry Ruyle Trager of the 729th Railway Operating contacted me and wanted to share information on her grandfather's service in the 729th.

She is also looking to contact others from or connected to that unit - email me cunningb2@gmail.com if you have a connection.

Thanks Toni ...



Photo #90 is my grandfather, Pfc. Harry Ruyle Trager, 03-20-1942.

Photo #65 L to R is PFC. Harry Trager; T-4 J. Bogan; Pvt. A. Peterson; and T-5 R. Umbanhower; 03-20-1943
Some great notes from Toni PFC Trager's granddaughter Harry Ruyle Trager was born December 20, 1912 in Indianapolis, IN. Trager entered the service of the New York Central System Railroad on December 12, 1936 as a yard brakeman and was promoted to yard conductor on September 3, 1941. On February 26, 1941 Trager left the service of the New York Central System to be inducted into the Army's Military Railroad Service on March 6, 1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison at Indianapolis, IN. Pfc. Trager was assigned to Company C of the 729th ROB and was deployed to the European Theatre of Operations. Pfc. Trager served in England, France, and Germany and was awarded the Combat Infantry Man's Badge with Oak Leaves, the Rifle Sharpshooters Badge, the Decoration Medal for Good Conduct, the Medal for Campaign and Service Victory World War II, the Medal for Campaign and Service EAME Campaign Complete, and the Medal for Army of Occupation Germany. Pfc. Trager was discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Attebury, IN on August 20, 1945. Harry Ruyle Trager continued his railroad service with New York Central System and Penn Central through the 1970s and counting MRS service accrued almost forty years on the railroad While my grandfather was deployed to the European Theatre of Operations he fell from the top of a train and fractured his leg. On September 25th, 1942 he was admitted to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary for the fracture and here are some photos from his stay. My grandfather didn't know a stranger. I honestly believe during his hospital stay he made friends with everyone there, thus the photos.

7 comments:

Phyllis said...

Hello,

My name is Phyllis Ann Trager Evola, and I am the daughter of Harry R. Trager.
I appreciate all the work and research my daughter, Toni, is doing to preserve the history of these men that served during W.W.II in the Railroad Battalion. They put their lives on the line every day as they rode the rails. Supply trains were a very important part of the War effort of the U.S., and the enemy knew it. They constantly bombed and strafed them. My Dad came home with what they called "shell shock" from this. Now they would probably call it PTSD. I was in the sixth grade before he could drive a car again. However, he continued his train service in civilian life, and I grew up around it.

Thank you for helping to preserve this legacy and honor these men.

Anonymous said...

Hello. I am assisting a friend of mine with the remote possibility of finding a WW 11 army uniform photo of her father, Frederick T. Levesque, who was with the 729th railroad BN in England, France, Germany and Belgium during the war. He passed away several years ago at age 91. Any information or images would be greatly appreciated. Please contact ne through email Kevindhayes@att.net Thank you.

Unknown said...

My Grandfather was Harold O'Dell and was in the 729th company A in WW2.

Anonymous said...

Please email me Nancy militaryrailwayservice@gmail.com if you have anything to share or need any additional information. Thanks Nancy Nancy militaryrailwayservice@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My dad, James Franklin Hannah, was in the 729th R.O.B. in WWII. Cleaning out my Mom's house after hear death, May 8th, 2023, I found a box of my Dad's pictures that he took all over Europe on their way from France to Germany.

Sincerely Yours, Eric Hannah at wccycle@att.net

CSM Everette Coppock III said...

Did the 729th Railway Operating Battalion receive any unit awards, if so which ones and does anyone have a listing for the 28 Purple hearts awarded by name?

CSM Everette Coppock III said...

729th Railway Operating Battalion, seeking any information, photographs, for an article. The converted railroad unit is now the 729th Transportation Battalion is now located in Germany. email EFCoppock3@yahoo.com.