714th Railway Operating Battalion Howard Heinz obit

HEINZ, HOWARD GRAHAM - age 92, of Knoxville, passed away, Sunday, October 5, 2014, at NHC Farragut. Howard was born on August 13, 1922, to Harry and Maude Heinz.
      He graduated from Knoxville High School and attended the University of Tennessee. He served in the Army during WWII in the 714 Railroad Operations Battalion. On return, he married his sweetheart, Virginia Scott. Howard had a 42 year career with the Southern Railroad retiring as a master mechanic. He was a long time member of Central United Methodist Church and currently a member of Concord United Methodist. He was a lifetime member of the Shriners, Masons, and Elks among others.
     He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Scott Heinz; parents; only brother, Harry Louis Heinz, Jr.; brother-in-law, Sammy Scott; sisters-in-law, Jean Scott Walker, Elizabeth Scott Cunningham, and Nina Heinz. Howard is survived by his sister-in-law Billie Scott; nieces, Patricia Thompson, Gina Beth Johnson, Jan Butler, Diane Scott, and Lisa Dolan; nephews, Gary Scott, Sammy Scott, Glenn Walker, Greg Cunningham, and Harry Heinz.
      Howard met many friends during his lifetime but close to his heart was Dr. John and Louise Ambrosia and family. The family would like to thank NHC Farragut for caring and loving him for the past 6 years. Graveside service will be Thursday at 1:00 pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery with Rev. Brent Hall officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Howard's name to Mission of Hope, 6030 Industrial Heights Dr. NW, Knoxville, TN 37909, or Knox County Meals on Wheels, 2247 Western Ave., Knoxville, TN 37909. Friends may call at their convenience at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. www.rosemortuary.com -
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715th Railway Operating Battalion

Thanks Tom!

He writes ... here is the front and rear of the training cadre who trained the 715th at Camp Shelby. The 715th was at Camp Shelby from 12-12-1942 until 4-20-1943.

2nd MRS Engineering section photo 1945 Paris

Thanks Naomi!

749th Railway Operating Lt. Col. David MacLeod

Lt. Col. David MacLeod of the 749th ROB daughter share another great photo

Camp Shelby 1943 Training Cadres Railway Replacement School and letterhead

Thanks to Tom !

Camp Shelby Letterhead

790th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion Korea

790th TROB Korea by Nancy

Thanks Tim !

710th Railway Grand Division Lt Col. Marth documents and more ( thanks to granddaughter Julie)

Julie T contacted me over 6 months ago having found some information about her Granddad's unit on the blog.

She had recently inherited all his "stuff"

She wrote " My grandfather, Lt. Col. A.F. Marth 710th Railway Grand Division was in the 710th during the war and I was recently given his entire collection of 'stuff'. Books, maps, letters, and tons of pictures (most not labeled). I don't know much about his time there and so sorry I didn't ask the questions when I was young. Oh how we regret all this later, right? I would love to share everything I have to help others in their search of family members."

That's what I want to hear ! Most of what we have on this blog was donated by family members who wanted everyone to know what amazing service their Dad or Granddad had performed for our country but also wanted the families of the others that he served with to share what they had .

As the generations go by this becomes more and more important. When I started " the guys " were still alive and having reunions , now almost all are gone. Then their kids took over and shared lots of these things, but now it's the grand kids that are working hard to document and preserve their service.

Thanks Julie and to everyone who helps and has helped keep this unique service alive.

*Julie has already worked 6 months on scanning these items and is still working on them. I am getting them loaded to Scribd and linked here and will be posting some to stand alone blog posts too.

Watch this space for more ! You are lucky if you're looking for info on 710th RGD -thanks to Lt. Col. Marth and Julie!

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