Separation/rotation orders for approx 50 men from the 712th Railway Operating Battalion 1951

This is a U.S. Army Special Order issued by the Headquarters, 712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion on 26 June 1951. It is an administrative personnel order, not a combat report. Its purpose was to officially transfer soldiers out of the battalion at the end of their overseas tour in Japan.

Here's what it means:

• Headquarters: 712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion
• APO 301, San Francisco, California
  • This was the Army postal address for a unit stationed overseas (in Japan), not an actual location in California.
• Special Orders No. 59
• Date: 26 June 1951

The 712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion was serving in Japan during the Korean War, operating military railroads that supported U.S. forces and logistics.

 Leave their current organization.

• Travel to Headquarters, Sasebo Replacement Depot (Provisional), APO 27.
• Return to the Zone of Interior (ZI)—the continental United States.
• Be processed for ETS (Expiration of Term of Service), meaning they had completed their enlistment.

Before departure they were required to:

• Receive a physical examination.
• Complete WD AGO Form 204 so family, correspondents, and magazine subscriptions could be notified of their new address.

The orders also specify:

• They would report to the 369th Replacement Company, 110th Replacement Battalion on 26 June 1951.
• They were scheduled to depart Japan on 1 July 1951.
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