*Thanks to Bernard's grandson Scott Byers for this obit.

Bernard Clayton Byers
August 24, 1925 – November 29, 2020
Obituary of Bernard Clayton Byers
IN THE CARE OF
Whitten Monelison Chapel

Bernard Clayton “Eddie” Byers lived a life of service and commitment to his country and family. He was born in Naola, Va., about 15 miles southwest of Lynchburg, on August 24, 1925, and died of late stage Parkinson’s at his home in Falls Church, Va., on November 29, 2020.

Bernard grew up during the Great Depression when 25 million people were out of work and struggling to make ends meet. His family fell upon hard times as well and, as a child, Bernard, along with his siblings helped by working on local farms.

World War II began in November 1940, and upon turning 18, Bernard was called up by the Selective Service. He entered the U.S. Army on November 15, 1943. He received training at various military camps, including Ft. Meade, Md.; Camp Claiborne, La.; Camp Beale, Calif.; Ft. Warren, Wyo.; and Camp Robinson, Ark. Bernard served primarily in the Pacific Theatre, having shipped out to Manila, The Philippines—a 39-day trip, 20 without seeing land, making port at Finch Haven in New Guinea. The Japanese had taken over the Islands. His battalion was sent to the front lines at Alacon to fight the Japanese in the mountains where there were no caves or tunnels for them to hide. As part of the 737th military railway battalion, Bernard arrived in Luzon in March 1945 and, for seven months, the battalion operated over 7,000 trains with more than 48,000 cars, shipping military freight, shop machines, and track material. After Alacon, his battalion was sent to South Korea where they supervised a railway station from October 1945 to February 1946. Married men were the first to be sent home from South Korea as the War was coming to an end, and his battalion shipped out to the Aleutian Islands from Yokahama, Japan, returning to the States. He was soon to be discharged at Ft. Bragg, N.C., concluding his military service.

After World War II, Bernard worked briefly at the Paper Mill and Shoe Factory in Lynchburg until he landed a position with John P. Hughes Desoto Plymouth in 1946 at its Peak Motor Dealership in Bedford. Three years later, he learned that Olmstead Motor Company up north in Arlington, VA was hiring. It was there he worked honorably as an auto mechanic for 50 years, receiving various awards and certificates and ultimately a “Doctor of Motors” designation in August 1968. When Olmstead’s closed its shop in 1990, Bernard retired as well.

Upon arriving in Arlington, Bernard lived modestly in a rooming house for nearly four years. In June 1953, he and his growing family moved to Pimmit Hills, a housing development designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and known as war housing for returning soldiers from World War II. He and his wife, Lillie, proudly raised their six children in Pimmit Hills, and he was comforted to reside in his home until his death.

Bernard is survived by his six children, Leonard of Manassas, Va., Edward of Warrenton, Va., Carol of Fredericksburg, Va., Shirley of Sacramento, Calif., Lee and Richard, both of Meridian, Miss., as well as nine grandchildren, three step grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Marshall Dillon Byers; mother, Annie Ruth Noel Byers; brothers, Hilton, Frank, Hubert, Billy, and Wesley; sisters, Pearl, Lorene, and Geneva; as well as his loving wife, Lillie Montgomery Byers, who died on February 25, 2011.

A viewing will be held at Whitten Funeral Home in Madison Heights, Va., on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 1 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m. Interment will be at El Bethel Cemetery in Allwood, Va.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> 

A heartfelt thank-you to John McKenna’s daughter, Patricia Salo, and her brother, Tim for carefully preserving, scanning, and sharing these incredible photos from their dad’s service with the 743rd Railway Operating Battalion in Europe. Families like Patricia’s—who safeguard their soldiers’ memorabilia and choose to share it—bring history to life for those of us who only know we had a railroader in the family but have no photos or records of our own.

When I began this research over 40 years ago, I had the privilege of getting to know many of these men personally. They would be so proud to see their stories preserved and remembered today.

And on a personal note—my own dad also served in the 743rd.

She wrote " I thought it important to let you know that my brother and I have found a veritable treasure trove of pictures from WWII that our father, Master Sergeant John M McKenna left us when he passed in 1995. We were just recently going through boxes and found many many pictures from his time of service with the army" 

 Thanks to Russ for sending this article about a "freak accident" with the 791st in Iran (1943-1944)

FREAK INCIDENT ON RAILROAD IS HARDLY CREDIBLE

The “freak incident of railroading,” occurring when Engineer Pvt. Carl Lopez and Fireman Pfc. Maurice Brady both fell sound asleep inside their locomotive as it rushed along the rails towards Doroud on the ISR, is unprecedented in hogger history, and perhaps shall never again recur; according to GIs in the 791st Ry. Op. Bn. at Camp Kramer, Andimeshk.

Happened in Early Days

It happened in the early days of railroading in Iran when the utmost in physical exertion was squeezed from every MBS man to expedite supplies to Russia. Carl and Maurice had gone without shut-eye for over 48 hours.

Nearing kilo 671 t h e i r eyelids seemed pulled downward by a conspiracy of force in the earth’s gravity. They fought against Morpheus but the click - click - clack - clack caused drowsiness and fatigue gave way to heavy slumber.

Carl awoke first and hurriedly shook Maurice to sensibility. “What in hell is happening?” Neither of them could figure it out and both were dumbfounded.

Train at Standstill

The engine raced at full steam. They felt the huge drivewheels churning beneath them . . . but the train was standing dead still, suspended midway up a slight grade!

Maurice leaped from the cab and beheld a sight which is believed no man ever saw before.

While these two exhausted GIs slept heavily, their locomotive had struck a greasy spot on the rails. The wheels lost traction and began digging in. The soft rails used in Iran plus the terrific heat of the sun beating upon them caused the track to melt beneath the friction of the harder wheels.

Maurice had to extinguish a fire which was burning up the ties beneath the rails—because steel track had been liquefied almost to the trackbed, where friction ignited the wood.

Anyone in the PGC doubting the truth of the story may go to the railway shops at Atterbury and there find ample proof in the form of the four sections of track which bear perfect impressions of drive wheels.

Pvt. Ralph Viggers