Honoring the Men of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion: Four Soldiers, One Mission ( this was written by AI)

Throughout World War II, countless soldiers served in roles that were critical to the success of Allied operations but often went unnoticed. Among them were the dedicated members of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion, a specialized unit tasked with managing the military’s rail transport systems—vital for moving troops, equipment, and supplies across war-torn territories. Today, we honor four of those men, each of whom answered the call of duty with courage and commitment.
 William L. Broadwater

    Born: July 20, 1907
    Died: March 15, 1958
    Enlisted: January 7, 1941
    Discharged: November 16, 1945
    Rank: Private First Class
    Company: A, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Gibson's Cemetery, West Columbia, South Carolina

Broadwater was among the early enlistees of the war and served through the conflict’s end. His reclassification and later recall to active duty in 1943 reflect his continued importance to the U.S. Army's logistical efforts.
Thomas E. Delamanaras

    Born: August 22, 1906
    Died: November 26, 1949
    Enlisted: September 13, 1943
    Discharged: December 4, 1944
    Rank: Master Sergeant
    Unit: 717th Railway Operating Battalion and 23rd Transportation Corps (Rail Battalion Service)
    Final Resting Place: Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, New Jersey

He is listed as being a part of both the 717th and the 23rd Transport Corps in this application, Delamanaras’ connection to rail transport units places him in the same logistical family. He served with honor and returned home to rest among the veterans he helped support.
George A. Hudson

    Born: February 24, 1907
    Died: June 29, 1952
    Enlisted: December 1943
    Discharged: November 11, 1945
    Rank: Private First Class
    Company: A, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Kansas, Oklahoma

Hudson’s military record marks him as part of Company A, like Broadwater, and he was inducted in late 1943. His work with the battalion contributed directly to the transportation backbone of U.S. forces in Europe and beyond.
Hubert A. Mercer

    Born: March 16, 1914
    Died: October 2, 1961
    Enlisted: July 27, 1943
    Discharged: April 9, 1946
    Rank: Technician Fourth Grade (T/4)
    Unit: Headquarters Company, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Duck River Church Cemetery, Blount County, Alabama

Serving in the HQ Company of the 717th, Mercer likely held a leadership or technical support role—essential for coordination and communication within this complex transport unit.
Legacy of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion

These four men, drawn from different states and backgrounds, served in a battalion that was the logistical lifeline of military operations. Whether laying tracks, scheduling transports, or overseeing cargo loads, the soldiers of the 717th ensured that warfighters at the front lines were never without the supplies they needed.

Their stories remind us that not all heroes carry rifles—some carry rail maps and scheduling ledgers, and with them, the hopes of victory.

Let us remember William L. Broadwater, Thomas E. Delamanaras, George A. Hudson, and Hubert A. Mercer not only for their service but for embodying the quiet strength that powers every great endeavor

War time editions of N.Y. Central Railroad Headlight are a goldmine and this edition includes mentions of soldiers in the units: 

 CH November 1945

• 701^st RGD Guilfoyle
• 750^th ROB Bresler
• 717^th ROB Julian
• 719^th ROB Firestine

 

This cup was destined for the metal recycling at a thrift shop, was rescued and given to our Sisters Museum in Sisters, Oregon.

It is a diary and timeline compactly etched into the cup issued by US A Co 1943. 

Etched is the following: 

On the base: Co - A H D B 717th Ry. Opr. Bn 

1943 

• Oct. 9 Ft. Dix 
• Oct. 19 Cp. Harahan 
• Dec. 16 Cp. Scott 

1944 

• May 2 Cp. Kilmer 
• May 25 ENGLAND 
• Sudbury Bury Southampton 
• Hereford 
• Longmoor 
• Sept 1 FRANCE 
• Cherbourg-Chartres-Paris 
• Valenciennes - Bohain 
• BELGIUM 
• Liege 
• Sept. 23-29 

1945 

• Antwerp Dec. 23-Jan 13 '45 
• Apr 4, 45 GERMANY 
• Frankfurt Bremen Bad Nauheim 
• Wesel 
• HOME

 

717.pdf by Nancy

thanks tim

Veterans History Project by Nancy

1945 Well Done Washington DC Southern Railway System Trains ROBs by Nancy

1st MRS Separation Orders by Nancy

Argiriou, Paul William -- Sergeant, Army Veteran 727TH ROB World War II, 1939-1945 - European Theater

Bellings, Irving -- Technical Sergeant, Army Veteran  732nd ROB World War II, 1939-1945 - Fort Dix, New Jersey; France; Central Europe; Germany

Bishop, Ralph -- Staff Sergeant, Army Veteran  766th ROB World War II, 1939-1945 - Bischeim, France; Frankfurt, Germany

Bottoms, John Norman -- E-4, Army Veteran  717th ROB Other - Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Brose, Robert W. -- Corporal, Army Veteran  724th World War II, 1939-1945, Korean War, 1950-1953 - Japan; Pusan, Korea Veterans History Project Rail vets http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/search?query=%2Brailway&start=0

American Battle Monuments Commission 

ABMC manages 24 overseas military cemeteries, and 25 memorials, monuments, and markers. The cemeteries and memorials honor those who served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Search for names from the honor rolls. Information presented includes service information, dates of birth and death, and notes which relate to the circumstances of death, status, and awards received. http://www.fold3.com/title_853/
 
Miles R Hicks
Full Name:Miles R Hicks
Death:Buried: Buried at: Plot D Row 30 Grave 19 Ardennes American Cemetery Neupre, Belgium
Death: 1-Apr-45
Death Date: 01 Apr 1945
Memorial Cemetery: Ardennes American Cemetery
Memorial Country: Neupre, Belgium
Memorial Location: Plot D Row 30 Grave 19
Residence:State: Virginia
World War II
Rank:Private First Class, U.S. Army
Service Number:35233462
Regiment:717th Railway Operating Battalion

William C Hedin
Full Name:William C Hedin
Death:
Buried: Buried at: Plot B Row 22 Grave 31 Epinal American Cemetery Epinal, France
Death: 8-Nov-44 1
Death Date: 08 Nov 1944
Memorial Cemetery: Epinal American Cemetery
Memorial Country: Epinal, France
Memorial Location: Plot B Row 22 Grave 31
Residence:State: Minnesota
World War II
Rank:Technician Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Service Number:37582388
Regiment:718th Railway Operating Battalion

Luke O'Brien
Full Name:Luke O'Brien
Death:Buried: Buried at: Plot F Row 6 Grave 16<br />Luxembourg American Cemetery Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 1
Death: 5-Apr-45
Death Date: 05 Apr 1945
Memorial Cemetery: Luxembourg American Cemetery
Memorial Country: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Memorial Location: Plot F Row 6 Grave 16
Residence:State: California
World War II
Rank:Technician Fifth Class, U.S. Army
Service Number:39532958
Regiment:718th Railway Operating Battalion

Joseph M Cushman
Full Name:Joseph M Cushman
Death:Buried: Buried at: Plot I Row 10 Grave 5 Luxembourg American Cemetery Luxembourg City Luxembourg 1
Death: 10-Jan-45
Death Date: 10 Jan 1945
Memorial Cemetery: Luxembourg American Cemetery
Memorial Country: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Memorial Location: Plot I Row 10 Grave 5
Residence:State: Ohio
World War II
Rank:Technician Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Service Number:35877747
Awards:Legion of Merit
Regiment:718th Railway Operating Battalion

Gilbert F Stride
Full Name:Gilbert F Stride
Death:Buried: Buried at: Plot C Row 16 Grave 34 Lorraine American Cemetery St. Avold, France
Death: 31-Jul-45
Death Date: 31 Jul 1945
Memorial Cemetery: Lorraine American Cemetery
Memorial Country: St. Avold, France
Memorial Location: Plot C Row 16 Grave 34
Residence:State: Oregon
World War II
Rank:Private First Class, U.S. Army
Service Number:37355853
Regiment:718th Railway Operating Battalion

Clarence Orr
Full Name:Clarence Orr
Death:Buried: Buried at: Plot G Row 11 Grave 4 North Africa American Cemetery Carthage, Tunisia
Death: 26-Sep-43
Death Date: 26 Sep 1943
Memorial Cemetery: North Africa American Cemetery
Memorial Country: Carthage, Tunisia
Memorial Location: Plot G Row 11 Grave 4
Residence:State: New Jersey

Thanks so much to Fred's daughter Linda.

Linda his daughter writes .....

I know that dad was in Mons, Belgium in 1945. He made very close friends with Dr. and Mrs. Therionet that lived there. They corresponded after dad got home until the Dr. passed away in the early 1960’s. I have nice pictures of Dr. and Mrs. Therionet. While dad was in Belgium, there was a Royal wedding. Dad got me a wedding commemorative ring that he gave me for my 16th birthday. It is a very dainty ring, the top shaped like a crown with diamond chips in it. I will give it to my granddaughter when she turns 16 years.

My dad spoke German and some French. At some time or other he was exposed to German prisoners. He said that he knew the war was over when he saw 14 years old kids in German Uniform.

Also, the winter he was overseas he said he had never been so cold in his whole life.

While I was waiting for your e-mails to send out, I read the history of the 717th. There’s not much mention of Company C. Perhaps he was attached to another battalion for some reason or another. I definitely know that he was in the Ardennes (Alsace), France and Germany.

I don’t know if I’ve contributed very much to the 717th Battalion because the lists that I sent you are questionable. I could not find any of the names on those lists in the Battalion history. I have to commend you for the railway battalions that are listed on the web. They are wonderful. If I find anything else among my father’s things (I still have some boxes of stuff), I will let you know. Good luck and good hunting for info. I admire you for what you are doing.

I have a picture that I think that is from a reunion. It is a group photograph, and may be a combined reunion with other Battalions. A man in the center foreground of the photo is holding a locomotive with the words “Detroit – 744.” It could be the 744 Railway Battalion. My dad is in the photo marked “Detroit 1964.” If you’d be interested in that photo, I will send it to you. There are several women in the photo – probably wives and daughters – or grandchildren.

I have some photos that are labeled Buchenwald (Concentration Camp). They are depressing. I have no idea how they came to be in his possession. I do know that he gave some of his photos away at one of the reunions. So they’re bouncing around out there somewhere. I think his buddies were good at trading photos.

I live in Houston Texas. I came here in 1967 with the Space Program. So if there’s anyone in my direction that might be from the 717th, I’d love to talk to them.My dad was a very special guy. When I was very very little, he told me he’d put the stars in the heavens – just for me. He was a very loving man.

717th Company a Roster by Nancy Cunningham

717th Headquarters Co. Roster by Nancy Cunningham