Christy , daughter of Raymond D Simpson of Company A of the 715th  Railway Operating Battalion sent these great photos.

She says "Dad served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He was on a ship heading towards Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped. When Japan surrendered, the ship was turned around and headed towards the US.  I have attached some of pictures of Dad which were taken in Italy.  I do not know the names of the other soldiers in the pictures. The back of the picture of the Tower of Pisa says he is in the top of the tower."

Cathe, daughter of Harry North Stairs or “Boots”shared these great photos. If anyone knows any of the people in these photos she'd like to know - email me if you know any of Stair's buddies .

Clarence wrote to me about my uncle, who was also a Army Railroader ... I was with the occupation forces in Japan with the 3rd MRS/8010 from 1946 until 1952 I did not know a Major Bill Griffin at that time, however I was in Korea with a LTC Lawrence [I believe his first name was]Griffin,and also in Ft.Eustis,Va.in the 774th and 714th TBROS & DE,he was the EX OFFICER there. I looked at your Military Railway Service blog and it was very,very interesting. I have some pictures and papers that I would be glad to share with you at a later date.

 

Life-Line of the Nation is a short film from the Association of American Railroads and produced by Carl Dudley in the mid-1940s (most likely 1944) that shows how America’s railroads are ensuring the defense of the nation by meeting the transportation needs of a country mobilized for war. The film opens with a shot of a train moving through snowy terrain. Off in the distance, a train goes over a bridge (01:22). There are several shots of various trains moving along tracks. At the U.S. Capitol Building (02:13), members of the military meet with members of Congress to discuss railroad needs in a wartime situation. 

People gather around a radio to listen to a broadcast of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Military trucks and tanks are loaded onto trains (03:45); men from every branch of the military board trains as they head out to war. A train moves along the track with snow-covered mountains in the background (04:48). Soldiers and equipment leave the trains and board the ships that will take them overseas (05:20). There are more shots of locomotives. A number of tanks are transported on a train (07:05) Iron ore is loaded onto train cars at a mine (07:18). The iron ore is dumped into barges (07:44). A train hauls coal (08:18); there is a shot of a coal plant. Oil tanker cars are pulled by locomotives (08:59). A newly built ship is sent out onto the water from the shipyard (10:05). There is a shot of the inside of the office of the Association of American Railroads—people diligently work to keep the trains running on time (11:00). There is a series of shots of railcars sporting the different railroad companies’ names and logos. A train crosses the border between the U.S. and Canada (13:34). Various railroad employees work on machining equipment for trains (14:10); men inspect a track. There is a shot of a retired locomotive (15:44), a printing press printing papers (16:55), and various locomotives pulling train cars. One of the final shots of the film is a train passing over a river on a bridge (18:32). 

 

 

The United War Work Campaign, Inc., was organized by request of President Woodrow Wilson for the purpose of joint fund raising among seven welfare organizations serving the American Army and Navy, including: National War Work Council of the YMCA; War Work Council of the National Board of the YMCA; National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus); Jewish Welfare Board; War Camp Community Service; American Library Association; and the Salvation Army. Series includes the certificate of incorporation, UWWC Bulletin nos. 1-13 and 15, financial report (1921) and the report to subscribers listing the budget estimates of the seven organizations, percentages of UWWC funds allocated per organization and agreements between the organizations (1919). The file includes minutes, circular letter, organization manual, publicity campaigns, committee member lists, by-laws, conference attendance lists, Committee of Eleven (composed of representatives of the seven organizations) minutes and recommendations and news releases.

Again, we have Capt. Francis Lewis' wonderful photos from 735th reunions and a mailing list from 1988. ( thanks John ) Here is a member mailing list from 1988

735th Reunion Mailing List ... by Nancy on Scribd

John has worked really hard reproducing some amazing 735th photos from his dad,Capt.Francis N. Lewis

He writes ...It's my hope that members (the few that are left) and decedents of members might find a name or photo that will bring back some memories. If you do post any of my pictures/documents on the internet, all I ask is that some credit be given to my father, Capt.Francis N. Lewis. He went to great lengths to photograph and document not just his activities during the war, but also our personal family history. He has made my job much easier in sharing his photographs with others. It's the least I can do for all the efforts he made. Thanks so much for asking.

Here is a fascinating list of 735th soldiers who went through firearm qualifications in 1944

735th Firearm Qualification List 1944 by Nancy

The wonderful Tom Miller has worked tirelessly to significantly add to our knowledge  of  this Military rail unit but also to recognize his neighbor's service to our country.
 Thanks Tom

He writes... Fred and Genevieve Inman lived in the Fallston, MD area since the late 1960’s. When we moved in next door to the Inmans, Fred and I found that we had a mutual love for the Fire Department … Fred used to work as a fireman and I currently work as a fireman.

 Unfortunately Fred passed away not long after we moved in, but along with his history in the Fire Department, we also knew of his service in WWII. His wife Gen remained in the house next door and we became very close. It was like living next door to our grandmother.

 When she passed away recently, we came across the album which contained all the pictures that Fred had taken during his service with the 753rd Railway Battalion. We wanted to share and preserve this history, and we hope others will appreciate it as much as we do.

 Lori and Tom Miller Fallston, MD


Amazing documents, interviews , timeline and more ...


Almost 300 hundred amazing photos

722nd Railway Operating Battalion Herrick.pdf by Nancy

Photo album owned by Lt Deckinger that served in Iran for several years in the 730th ROB in Iran

730th Railway Operating Battalion by Nancy

If anyone has any of these please contact me cunningb2@gmail.com

Yankee Boomer Vol1 No29 Apr... by Nancy

Yankee Boomer Vol2 No52 Sep... by Nancy