U.S. National Archives Recalls Fire That Claimed Millions of Military Personnel Files

U.S. National Archives Recalls Fire That Claimed Millions of Military Personnel Files
The National Archives and Records Administration recently marked the 45th anniversary of a devastating fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri, that destroyed approximately 16–18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) documenting the service history of former military personnel discharged from 1912 to 1964.

https://goo.gl/juKzQj 

745th Railway Operating Battalion Co. B -- Leo Clark Williams Jr.

Chris writes..... Here is the Company B photo. It looks to me like the photo was taken after they returned from overseas. My father, Leo Clark Williams Jr. is in the top row, 3rd from the right. Thanks Chris and he's sending more photos.

715th Railway Operating Battalion -- Ball


Loay J. “Jack” Ball
Dec 30, 2007
PRINCETON — Pastor Loay J. “Jack” Ball, 85 of 1131 Old Athens Rd. in Princeton died Saturday, December 29, 2007, at Princeton Community Hospital.

Born in Buchanan, Va., June 17, 1922 he was the son of the late Matt Perry and Bessie Perkins Ball. He retired after 30 years of service as a heavy equipment operator for Consolidated Coal Co. He was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and faithfully served in the ministry for 54 years. “Jack” proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War ll. He served in Company A, 715th Railway Operating Battalion in North Africa and Italy.
In addition to his parent's his wife, Opal Mae Blankenship Ball; one son, Michael R. Ball; and several brothers and sisters preceded him in death.
Survivors include one daughter, Sue Smithson and her husband David of Princeton, with whom he made his home; four sons, Loay Dennis Ball and his wife Betty of Bland, Va., Perry W. Ball and his wife Elsie, Billy Joe Ball and his wife Jo Ann and Steven R. Ball and his wife Sandy, all of Princeton; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Stella Belcher of Princeton.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2008, at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Casper Dalton officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
The West Virginia National Guard will serve as pallbearers and conduct military graveside rites.
Friends may call at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton from 1:00 p.m. to the service hour on Tuesday, January 1, 2008.

Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Ball family.
Below Ball's medals

712th Railway Operating Battalion France 1944-- PFC Frank Zarrella

Wonderful photos from Michael Zarrella, his dad,PFC Frank Zarrella served in the 712th Railway Operating Battalion and these photos are from September to November 1944 in Villeneuve St. Georges France
We have a unit history that describes the unit times there : thanks Mike for sharing here



712th ROB MZ