Courtesy Announcements
2of2
Contact: www. 7thsth-arty.com/teunion,htmt
gers re re Zell meet
Location: Oberlin Inn, Obertin, Ohio
Contact: Mary Weiler-Noll (630) 264-2886, hanmrn@comcast.net
ttle of the Bulge Veterans 2011 Reunion
Date: 20-25 September
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Columbus, Georgia
Contact: Ralph Bozorth (610) 825-9409,
ralohBveteransofthebattleotthebulge.org or
vntueteransofthebattleoithebulge.o7a
25th Infantry Division Association 62nd Annual Reunion
Date: 25 September - 1 October
Location: Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawail
Contact: su. 25thida.org
25th Infantry Division Association 2011 Reunfon
Date: 29 September - 2 October
Location: Hilton Airport, Kansas City, Missouri
Contact: Robert Dalton, P.0. Box 5004, Topeka, Kansas 65605
7/43th Artillery Vietnam Reunion
Date: 13-16 October
Location: Holiday Inn at Key Bridge, Rosslyn, Virginia
Contact: Robert R. Adams (859) 606-5198, Ladams8@insightab.com or Jon A.
‘Taylor (603) 284-6617, iontaylor39@yahoa.com
For requests to post events and reunions on the website and On Point, please
contact Matt Seelinger at matt,seelinger@armyhistary.org or (703) 522-7801
‘GeO
“The Army Historical Foundation / 2425 Witon uc. Arington, VA 22201
hntp://www.armyhistory.org/ah2.aspx?pgID=879
contact us / ste map
9/2/2011 3:40 PMPast Reunions
1 St. Louis, MO...\ug 29-Sept 2, 1947
St Lots, MOnnaOel
St Louis, MO,
37% San Antonio, TX..Sept 15-18, 1983 65th ANNUAL “THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES” REUNION PROGRAM
oa8 38" Ningara Falls, Co-Sept 20-23, 1084 7 it
SEiarod ee gt comeuaee sees ieee September 15" - September 17th, 2011 - Oberlin Inn, Oberlin Ohio
Cincinnati, OF1Sept2-Oct 195040" Pttaborgh PA Sept 18-21, 1986
r Chicago, IL vewAug 17-19, 1951 41% ‘St. Augustine, FLSept 17-21, 1987
: e 7 : 759™ RAILWAY OPERATING BATTALION VETERANS
8 SL Lou, MO cnn AUB22-24, 1952 424 SL, Los, MOzenSept 1518, 1988
Columbus, OH.nnug 2123, 1953 4G Som Antonia, TX. Sept 14-17, 1989
8 Reno, NV. Aug 2022, 1954 42° eathorn Mle Sept 13-16, 1990
9 Nashville, TNoswowAUgIS-21, 1955 45% Nashville, TN. Sep 19-22, 1991
Yo" Su Louis MO. Aug 16-19, 1956. do Anafciny, CAs Sept 17-20, 1992
CColuobs, Onn Aug 18-18, 1987 47% Eat, [Newent 1619, 1993
[New York, N¥.onwAug 21-24, 1958 48° Cincinnati, OH. Sept 15-1
1904
Nashville, TNusscsAug 20-23, 1959 49° Louisville, KY..-Sept 14-17, 1995
St.Louis, MO... Aug 18-21, 1960 50° Cincinnati, OH... Sept 19-21, 1996
Toledo, OH, ‘Aug 17-20, 1961 SY* Indianapolis, IN.Sept 18.21, 1997
Pittsburgh, PA. .Aug 16-19, 1962 A. Sept 17-20, 1998,
Boston, MA... Aug. 15-18, 1963, 1 Falls, CnSept 16-19, 1999
Nashville, TNossossAug 20-23, 1964 (Omaha, NE... Sept 14-17, 2000)
5
1965. 55°56" Cleveland, OH....Sept 2001-2002
196557" Cleveland, OH. Sept 17-20, 2003
(Cheapo Hen Aug 19-2
Cleveland, Oflu Aug 18-2
Columbus, OH 7-22, 1967 $8 Oberlin, OH .anSept 16-19, 2004
Pinsburgh, PA. Aug 15-18, 1968 59° Obetlin, OHwnnSept 8-11, 2005
Nashville, TNonns Aug 14-17, 1969 60% Oberlin, OHan-Sept 7-10, 2006
Washingion, DC... Aug 13-16, 1970 61% Oberlin, OH... Sept 69, 2007
Cleveland, OH. Aug 19-22, 1971 62" Oberlin, OH aee-Sept 11-13, 2008
Chicago, Menno Avg 17-20, 1972 63" On Sept 24-26, 2008)
Boston, MA. ‘Aug 16-19, 1973 64h (OH.-Sept 30-0et 2, 2010
Deaver, CO, ‘Aug 15-18, 1974 65th Oberlin, OH... Sept 15-17, 2011
Kansas City, MO... Aug 21-24, 1975
New Orleans, LA. Aug 19-21, 1976
Baltimore, MD. .0AUg 18-21, 1977 Activated September 1942
Training Seprember ~ April 1942 - 1943
Nashville, TN oon Aug 17-20, 1978 North Africa May 1949 - July 1948 *
Reno, NV Oct 47.1979; aly uly - October 1944 *
Indianapolis IN Sep 18-21, 1980 France October - April 1944 - 1948
Milwaukee, Wle--Sept 17-20, 1981 Germany April ~ October 1945
Philadelphia, PA. Sep 16-19, 1982 De-Activated USA November 1945
Company “A” preceded Battalion to Ttaly in November 1943,
‘and to France in September 1944Our Hospitality Room is the “Tappan” Room - 3rd Floor
Thursday, September 15
1:00 p.m,
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. -?
Hospitality Room open for greetings, & welcome to
our visitor, David E. Myers, retired Army Veteran
& soon-to-be Author of the book “Railroad Soldiers"
Cook-Out Buffet
Hospitality Room for more greetings and puzzles,
games & socializing
Friday, September 16
8:00- 9:30 arm,
10:00-12:00 noon
12:00 noon
1:30 pm,
Afternoon,
6:00 p.m.
After dinner...
8:30 p.m.
Hot breakfast buffet - Good Morning, Folks!
Hospitality Room for greetings, socializing, games
or open time.
Sandwich Board Lunch Buffet
Entertainment with Sandy Zikursh presenting
“Betsy Ross”
* DVD “Remembering the 759", created by
‘Jennifer Baldwin
* DVD "Bob Hope: Memories of World War II"
Dinner Buffet
Slide Show presentation by David E. Myers on
“1990 to Present - Trains in the Army”
Friday night at the Movies.
drinks & ice cream
...with popcorn, soft
‘September 17
8:00- 9:30 am. Hot breakfast buffet - Good Morning, Folks!
10:00 a.m. Business Meeting in the Hospitality Room.
12:00 noon ‘Salad Bar Lunch Buffet
1:30 p.m. Hospitality Room open for Door Prize drawings,
‘along with puzzles, games & visiting or open time.
4:00 p.m. Hospitality Room closed for dinner set-up
5:30-6:30 p.m. "Happy Hour” - Champagne Punch & Hors dOeuvres
6:45 p.m, Gala Dinner Banquet, with special quest Tom Ruck,
Speaker, Patriot & award winning Author of “Sacred
Ground, A Tribute to America's Veterans*
‘After dinner... Entertainment featuring our own Paul Konietzko
“At the Piano”
und ytember 18 for Goodbyes
God bless each and every one of us, ‘til we meet again.
‘Many thanks to all who made this Reunion a success,
Officers & Contributors
Steve Holland - President
David Weber - Vice President
Paul Konietzko - Treasurer
Denise Baum - Secretary
Merle Baum, Sally Conard, Sandra Hall, Paul Konietzko ~ Entertainment
Mary Weiler-Noll - Newsletter Editor
Thanks to ALL of you for participating in our 65th “Thanks for the
Memories" Reunion,
‘And a very special “Thank You for Your Service” to our beloved men of
the 759".OFFICIAL STATEMENT ¢
DesToNaT TO
Constituted 2 January 1942 in tho Kegular
Aray as the 759th Enginesr Hattalion (Railway
Operating) and afiliated with the xissouri
Pacific Railroad Lines
Redesignated 769th Eng
ting Fattalion 1 April 1942
ver Railway para
Activated 1 Se.tember 1942 at Cany
Claiborne, Louisisna
Redesignated 759th: Railway Operating fat-
talion, Transportation Corps, 16 Novenber 1942
Inactivated 26 Novexter 194% at Camp
Kilmer, New Jersey
Withdrewn from Regular Aray, redesignated
789th Transportation Railway Operating Bat-
talion, allotted to the Organized Reserve Corp:
assigned to Fifth Army, and affiliated with
the Missouri Pacific Lines, 15 April 1946
Activated 11 Ney 1948 with Headquarters
at St. Louis, Missouri
Redesignated 759th Transportetion Pat-
talion (Railway Operating) 1 October 1952
HOME AREA:
issouri (Headquarters at St. Louis)
CM:PAIGE STREAYERS:
World Rar II
Rone Arno
Rhineland
Central Surope
Company A entitled to silver bands
inscribed:
Naples-Fogeia
Southern France
DECORATIONS:
None
Wi/rin/2s vay £4
LINEAGE AND SATTLE HONORS
ERAS, 16 Jul 194%
1842
aTeflet, 1 Dee
AG 322 (4 Oct 45) O!-1-SH.CU~Y, 9 vee
1945; GO 138, NYPOE, 26 Now 1945
AGAC-I 322 Org Res (10 Apr 48) GLOT-.,
19 Apr 1946 as auended by AGA
(12 Vay 48)-4, 12 vay 1948
1 322 Org Ree
Ibid; GO 94, Fifth Army 14 June 194
Go 118, Fifth Aray, 1 October 1962
co 99, WD, 1945
GO 118, WL, 1945
GO 116, WD, 1946
Go 96, WL, 1945
GO 87, UD, 1995A2isa2 & Wel 4 Rewenbor 1954
‘Gransp Ba (Riny Opng), 22
THRU: Commanding General
Fifth Anny
1660 Bact, Hyde Park Boulevard
Chicago 15, TlLinoie
To: Commanding Officer
‘759th Transportation Battalion
ath and Sprace, Stresta
St, Louis 2, Migsouri
‘The coat of anna for the 759th Transportation Battelion (Railway
cperatings Amy Reserve, is approved. The blagonry and description are as
followat
BLugouny
SHIELD: Gules (brick ted) a bar erclied or voided azure, overall
a pairle formed of sections of track of the second
gumounted in fess by a benant: charged with a flours
devlis of the third.
CREST: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the
—— + On @ wreath of the colors (or end gules
ok ref) tho Lexington Minita kan provers is
Status of the idinute Kan, Captain John Yaxkor (H. Hs Kihson,
eoulptor); sbande on the coma in Lexington, Massushuastie,
ONTQ: Carriers of tho Green,
Bsguery
Betok red and yellow are uned for Transportation organisetione.
‘Tho field has been mads-one-color to represent: the state. of
Missouri, the noms area of the wattalion. fng brew alludes to
auoysyAT quouloTeasq 3 yoreesey
youerg OTpTeTEH fFeTHD
SIOGMI *3 MIHIY
We es'Z ee VD
VIVERUED WALSMMULND HL Yor
“7S6T Lon Sz peqep ySIOUoY OTy9eq PUL eTvouTT
JO YomazeIg TOFOTIIO, UITA eouLpsoooe uy BT soqqeT Teaoudde eTyy ty
“"S6T teqveseg OF qnoqe Jo vo uoTyezTueAxo oy 04 PepreATOS oq TTHA eTUATSUT
OATROUTIET O49 JO omgoemnuET O43 UT fn tog SuTUTed peaotdde ou °¢
2 Aq peqysosard sy -THGH HE OE
*T ydeadered uy paqttossp ef yoryA
‘vorqenTUeAso TUE IOJ stixe Jo qeOD 949 Jo o44OU puL PLOTS omy Jo BYeTSUOD
ERGTSUE oayqauyysTP ouy *podosdde Sy fearosoy ANY *(SuyqoI0%) LAT FON)
wOFTeaatg UoFaEqiodaueTy, YASS, OWI LOT wTUBTSUT eaTyouTyCy ow, °z
“TT 222 pron Dyeanp worTesyeq 943 papaExe exouo
OTR4P Oty 04 BuTExezex ORI2 Jo SuOTIOSS sayR OU} UATE Codomng
UE ecqazes vaqu: F PET-SPAMOTZ euy *A3TO yy YPnONG Lex
8qF souDZD 9y 2 42 Squeseades eq ontq om fosnoy
adez 04 pesn eTosto ayy 4 poqvoppuy
sornguey S\uOTTeaqeq ou femme] “ag 42 sONNED
[Te Supuyof ‘eT ayy Jo voyssty ayy
souorqetnfez ques.
Jo oe
vauosey Ay (Suyqeredg AewpTey) uoTTOyIMg
vorqeasodsieay Un6SL ou4 Jos VTUTyUy saTOUTISTE pu emAY JO Fon :zosraNg
wW ‘(Budo Aste) ur dsueay, ya
SET Zequeaoy 7 ToT
a JOFFICIAL STATEMENT o LINEAGE AND BATTLE HONORS are Baa
~
Active z
DES TGWATTON
759th TRANSPORTATION BATTALION (RAILWAY OPERATING)
EOWFONERT
Aray Res
LINEAGE
aUTWORTTIES
Constituted 2 January 1942 in the Regular
Aray az the 759th Engineer Battalion (Railway
Operating) and affiliated with the Missouri
Pacific Railroad Lines
Redesignated 759th Engineer Railway Opere-
ting Battalion 1 April 1942
Activated 1 September 1942 at Camp
Claiborne, Louisiana
Redesignated 759th Railway Operating Bat-
telion, Transportation Corps, 16 November 1942
Inactivated 26 November 1945 at Camp
Hilmer, New Jersey
Withdrawn from Regular Army, redesignated
769th Transportation Railway Operating Bat-
talion, allotted to the Organized Reserve Corp4, (12 May 48)-4, 12 May 1948
assigned to Fifth Army, and affiliated with
the Missouri Pacific Lines, 15 April 1948
Activated 11 May 1948 with Headquarters
at St. Louis, Missouri
Redesignated 759th Trensportation Bat-
talion (Railway Operating) 1 October 1962
HOME AREA:
Missouri (Headquarters at St. Louis)
CAMPAIGN STREAMERS:
World War II
tome Arno’
Rhineland
Central: Europe
Company A entitled to silver bands
inscribed:
Naples-Foggia
Southern France
DECORATIONS +
None -
WW/rin/25 May 54
AG 320.2 (12-22-41) MR-C, 2 Jan 1942
1/0 5-125, 1 Apr 1942
AG 320.2 (15 Jul 42) WR-K-SP, 16 Jul 1949
Go 16, Cp Claiborne, 1 Sep 1942
AG 320.2 (25 Nov 42) OB-I-SP-M, 1 Dec
1942; 60 60, WD, 5 Nov 19h2
AG 822 (4 Oct 45) OB-I-SPAOU-M, 9 Oct
1945; GO 158, NYPOE, 25 Nov 1945
AGAO-I 322 Org Res (10 Apr 48) GNGCT-~,
15 Apr 1948 as amended by AGAO-I 522 Org Res
Ibias
Go 94, Fifth Army 14 June 1948
Go 118, Fifth Army, 1 October 1952
Go 99, WD, 1945
Go 118, WD, 1945
Go 116, WD, 1945
Go 96, WD, 1946
GO 87, WD, 1945
(CS FORK 1.)
$05 FOR" 10 cortiow oF 1 uak 49, Ar OF USED.Jef Sime 1
8 7 co ob
for supplies ond
he ORC units will bo in sccordance with Civilicn
Cor: 1 198
5. Initial Morning Reports will be prepared in cecordance with in-
structions contained in letter, Headquerters Fifth lrny, ALESI-UR 325.21,
subject: “Organized Reserve Corps /ccounting Procedure," 13 Febryary 1940.
TI--ACFIVATION OF UNTYS OF TEE ORGANIZED RESERVES--1.. References:
a, Letter, Department of the Arny, AGAO-I 322 Ore Res (10 4
GRGCE-H, subject: “sctivation of Units of the Organized Reserves
19k8.
wr 4)
»
“I, . sub Jeo!
Letter, Departnent of the Army,
tivation of Units of the Or
22 Ore Rea (12 May 4S)
a Reserves," 12 tay 19%
2. Tursuent to authority contained in letters referred to above, the
folloving Organized Reserve Units, based on the Arce Service Units indicated,
are activated as Class C units, cffective 11 May 1948, and ere asaipned to
Firth ary: -
T/ORE TUAL AUELORIZED STRENGTH
‘ETON Ho. Date Vo! EM AGG LOCATION
S257 ASU, Missouri State 04 Reserves
4&8 1 Wi 150 St Louis
Facific Lines)
eeu esata ba a 6 0 ko 146 St Louis
HMdeseu
Affiliated with Missouri
Lines)
atod with Missouri
¢ Lines)
{Pending statutory outhority for inclusion of Vervent Officer im the Organ
Reserves, exch 7/0 veeoncies Led te rode T enlisted positions.(5 Ape 18
ial ; es 2 5
a 2
futhorized Strength
Them al T/cee off EL MOG Unit history to whi
Yio Location Status No Datu _ Changes H (with date of inacti
be Buffalo, NY. C €-500 3 dul 44 1,2,3, 55°81 9 Ws 234 :
45 (3D)
(222)
2
A 5-570 26 Jul 44 1,23, 9 6 3 3 Ghbth Engr Refrigere
Colm DG 4g 556 Det (22 Oct 47)
2. Neshville, A 5-377 24 dun 44 Mone = 55 EB NZ TACth Engr Fase Equi
‘Tenn ray 46)
be St louis, No P 55-225 10 Sep 45 None 26-1 9L 759th Reilmey Crorst
1 (26 Nev 45)
ie 10-509 10 Jan 45 None 1 9 5 31821 QY Launtry Det
cola
* A 12-695 12 Sep 45 None 1 9 Ta0th Ae (2% Feb af
iB Chicago, TLL A 1260120 Sep 45 Mone = 1D 225 236 Lith Paso Poet 9
5 Decatur, IML 4 12-695 18 Sev 45 Nore 1 13 ist
i First sass 2% dul 46 12,3, 2 9 39 42 ngr Utdhitis
dany 45556
ue Socond Akron, vaio A 5472 23 ee 43 3 1301 £1 95 — HigtHa Co, 1347th En
aeny Go (1 Kay 6)
1 Ine 12d Ind. DMZ
army War College, October 10, 1yk2 - To HD, Sw, The Adjutant Canora,
Tille, France, as the S8th
by redesignation of the \
porating Battalion. On 18 Sep= e
tonber, 1918, ‘ti battalion was absorbed as the 58th Reginont, &
‘rensportation Corps, and on 12 Noveaber, 1918, its units becine ‘
numbered companies in that Corps, Company 4 becane tho 63d Company, = |
‘Transportation Corpe; Company 2 became the 6lith Company; Company s\ |
C became the 65th Company; and Company 1 became the 66th Company. W
The 63d, 6lith and 65th Companies were donobilised 12 July, 1919, K
at Camp Tix, New Jersey, ‘The 66th Company was denobilised 3 May, g
lglg, at Camp Merritt, New Jc . Pursuant to letter, War Depart~ }
nent, AG 320.2 (90-36), dated 2h Septenber, 1936, the Sith Ragi- \I
naere Bativay_Opeeasen. Sabtelie wee seoraetitcbed end coset” %
a th the S6th Engineer Battalion Operating), which “SN
Ftattalien 10 October b |
\
Engineara Katlvay Operation Hatta
units of the Séth Standard Gauge
had bean constituted as the 58th Railway >
ue and allotted to the Highth’Corps Area. ‘The Battalion was
affiliated with the Southern Pacific Railroad Conpany, pursuant
to letter, War Departaent, AG 381 (12-16-N0), dated 2’ January, Ns
Ih. \G
2. The S8th Mnginesr Rattalion. (Railway Operating), was re~ \
designated the 719th Railway Operating Battalion, pursuant to
letter, War Department, AG 320.2 (2-d-l1), dated 21 February, Ill. Ww
‘The Battalion was wade active at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, 1 Sep~ \
tonbur, 19u2.
3. Tho 7iyth Railway Operating Battalion is entitled to «
streaner in the culord of the Victory Ribbon, without inscription.
/ 1, ‘no 789th Engineer Ratinay Operating Battalion was con~
Stituted on the inactive list and allotted to the Regular Army as
an affiliated unit, to be affiliated with the Missouri Pacific
Railroad Lines, pursuant to letter, far Departuent, AG 320.2
(22422-h1), dated 2 January, 1942.
7s2, The 759th Mngineer Ratlway Operating Battalion was made
active 2 Septexber, 1942, at Canp Claiborne, Loistana, pursuant
te letver, Kar lopartment, AG 320.2 (7-15-N2), dated 16 duly, 192.
2. The 759th ingineer ia:
other history and {s not entitl
ay Qparatd:
to battle honors,
8
a
‘The 390th tnginesr Reginent (cs srvice), wan con
stituted and authorized to be made active at Gasp Claiborne, Loulesna,
early in August 1942, pursuant to letter, iar Sopartment, AG 320.2
(7-10-L2), dated W doy, Wh2. Tho Recinant was nade active 10
August, 1942.
2, ‘The 390th Engineer Kegizont (General Service) has no
other history and is not antitled to battle honors,
266th STSR BATTALION (SERVICE:
1. The 266th wuartersaster Battalion (Service) was consti-
‘tuted on the Regular Army inactive list, pursuant to letter, War £
Departaant, a0 320.2 (7=16-l2), dated 18 July, 1942. tho Battalion
was authorised to be made active sunetime in August, 1942, at
Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, pursuant to lettor, Headquarters Aray
Ground Forves,"320.2/12 (12) (8) (718-2), dated 18 July, 1912.
2, ‘The 266th Quartermaster Battalion (Service) has no other
history and ia not entitled to battle honors,
26; BATTALION (Si LABOR UNTT)
1. The 267th Quartermaster Battalion (Service) (Labor Unit)
was constituted and authorised to be made active at Comp Clai~
bore, Louisiana, early in august, 19k2, pursuant to lottar, Nar
Department, AG 320.2 (7-19-42), dated 23 July, lolz.
2, ‘The 267th Quartorcastar Battalion (Service) (Labor Unit)
hag no other history and is not entitled to battle honors,
268¢h QUARTERUASTYR BATTALION (SERVICE)
1. The 268th quartermaster Battalion (Service) was consti~
tuted on the Regular Arny inactive list, pursuant to letter, War
Departaont, £0 320.2 (&-11-L2), dated 13 August, 1912. ‘the
Battalion was authorised to be nade active at Camp Claiborne,
Louisiana, pursuant to letter, Headquarters Aray Ground Forces,
320.2/52 (uc) (R) GHOCT (8-12-L2), dated 12 August, 192.
secant:THE INBTTOTE OF HERALDRY -
Bldg. 18, Cameron etation
Alexandria, VA 2504
GERM Ae & HAL, 4 Noworker 1954,
‘159th Gwensp Ea (5
SUBST: Goat of ams and Distinctive Insignia for the 759th Transportation
Battalion (Reilway Operating), Army Reserve
By Spay AR
‘THRU: Commanding General
Fifth Amy
1660 Bact liyde Park Boulevard
Chicago 15, Illinois
To: Coomanding Officer
‘759th Transportation Battalion
22th and Sprace Strests:
St. Louis 2, Missouri
2, he coat of ams for the 759th Transportation Battelion (Railway
Operating}, Army Ressrvo, 39 upproved. The blazonry and description are as
follows:
BLAzow
SHIELD: Gules (brick ved) a bar archod or voided azure, overall
a peivle formed of sections of track of the second
suzmounted in fess by a bezent charged with a Sleurs
de-lis of the third.
CREST: That for tne regisents and seperavc battalions of the
= Resergo: On a wreath of the colora (or and gules
ok re) tho Lexinaten Sinuta an provers The
Gtatus of the Knute Kan, Vaptain Joka Yaxkor (HM, He Kihson,
eculptor), stands on the coznon in Lexington, Mascachucsttee
MOTTO: Garrders of the Green,
peigartca
Brick red and yeliow ure uscd for Trensportacicn orgauisetions.
Tho field has been mars one color to represent. the state of
Missouri, the none areu of tha battalion, atludes te%
NORE 4202 & 421ah
‘s9th Teansp Ba (Rlwy Opng), AR
CUBIEST: Goat of Aras and Distinctive Insignia for the 759th Transportation
Babtolion (Ratlway Operating), Jany Re:
mbes 1.554
the mission of the unit, Joining all parts of the state to-
gether at St. Louis, the battalion's headquarters, which is
indicated by the circle used to represent’ a terninal or round
house; the blue bar represents the Mississipsl as it arches ite
ay through the city. The fleur-de-lis indicates service in
Europe, with the thtee sections of tr fei to the battlo
honore averdicd the battalion 6:1
2, She diotinctive insignia for ihe ancpertation Battalion
(Railway Operating), anay Reserve, is approved. The Gistinetive insignia
consists of the shield and motto of the coat of ams for this orgenization,
which ie deserived in paragraph 1.
2Q BE WORN: As prescribed by curzent regulations.
3. The approved painting for use in the manufacture of the distinctive
insignia will be forwarded to the organization on or about 30 Decesber 1954.
4. This approval letter is in accordance with "Official Statement of
Jdneage and Battle Henore" dated 25 Kay 195i.
FOR THE QUARTARMASTER GEIERAL:
2
Ze ea
ARTHUR: OIS
Chiel, He: Go Branch
Rescarea & ypaent Divisionprsvoy
seb “NYT TT
(SFO AVM INS) NESNYS! JLSCL
UN DIEM, FALLIN
2W0O
HONVUG OIGTVAaH
AHL 10 ALWIGOWd FHL ST
NOILVULSATT TVNIOTUO STHLw.mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Printer-friendly article page -ntp://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbes.dll/artcle?ALD~/.
ns File
NoawaJournal.com MANSFIELD, 3K UEfa7
January 12, 2008
Veteran's Story: Railroad hand got lots of work during World
War II
By RON SIMON
News Journal
MANSFIELD ~ Cifford McGinty, 87, spent World War II working as a railroad brakeman for the U.S,
‘Aimy in Affica, taly, France and Germary.
“Iwas working at Empire Steel when | was drafted in 1942, just nine days after my 21st birthday,"
McGinty said
Because he operated a steam locomotive switch engine for Empire, the Army decided railroading is
where McGinly would be assigned
In ae 1942, he was assigned to Camp Claiborne, La., where thél768th Railway Operating)
as formed,
“Basic training wasn't too hard for me. | was just 21,” McGinty said. "But for some of the more
‘experienced railroad men it was pretty hard.”
From Louisiana the new unit moved to Arkansas where the men trained alongside the crews and
‘operators of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. McGinty said the unit consisted of a headquarters company
plus A Company, which specialize in bridge building, repairs and line maintenance, end B Company,
‘which rain the repair shops.
"Lwas in Company — we were the operating company," McGin- ty said
His own job was to work as a brakeman.
‘The 759th shipped out to North Arica in the spring of 1943 and took over operation of railroads
radiating out of the port city of Algiers
"The war was winding down but the Germans would stil come over at night," McGinty said, "Our
searchlights and flak kept them away. Some of the flak would come down on us. Some of it was.
probably ours."
McGinty said U.S. railroad workers had to become familiar with European-style locomotives and rolling
stock. He said the businesses of braking could be dangerous because of the different mechanical
styles of coupling raiiroad cars together.
"There were some major differences. Their locomotives, for instance, didn't have air brakes like ours,’
he said,
But after several months the trains were rolling when the 759th got orders to ship out for Italy,
"We started out in Naples and moved up to Rome. | spent most of my time working in railroad yards
1/16/2009 2:54 PM.‘yww.mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Prit
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just outside Rome," McGinty said, "There wasn't much time for tourism. They kept us pretty busy.”
‘After three months the unit moved again, this time to Southern France, which the Allies had just
invaded. Here, McGinty said he started out working on docks and then moved north as the unit
followed the Allied armies toward Germany.
“The damage here wasnt too bad. We operated on a stretch of railroad about 60 to 70 miles long.”
‘After seven months in France the unit moved on to Germany where, McGinty said, damaged to the rail
lines was heavy.
"We saw a lot of German prisoners of war back then. A lot of them spoke English and they would tell
us that Germany would eventually win the war because it had secret weapons. Of course we were
‘sure we were going to win."
‘McGinty worked well past the end of the war and was among the last of the men of the 789th to be
shipped home.
“1 managed to get home in 1945 in time for Christmas," he said.
‘At one point he volunteered to join a similar unit that would work in the Pacific Theater.
“1 was young and single and so | volunteered,” he said. “Then the A-bomb came along and it was all
over.”
By the time he joined his family for Christmas, McGinty's days in uniform were over.
He said two of his brothers, Burt and Emest, served in the Army during the war. Burt was in England
and Ernest worked in the China-Burma-India Theater.
native of Mansfield, McGinty grew up on Bowman Street near the Gorman Rupp plant. He dropped
‘out of Mansfield Senior High School to work.
‘That's when he picked up his job running a switcher locomotive at Empire.
“After | got home | went right back to Empire. But | didnt have seniority so | always wound up having
to work on Sundays," he said
Neither he nor his wife, Rosemary, liked that. So his brother, Bob, got him an interview at Gorman
Rupp and he was hired.
“I worked there for the next 34 years. | ran a tow motor and drove truck and just about anything else
they needed,” he said,
‘The MeGintys had two sons, Douglas and David, and have two grandsons and several great-
grandchildren
"I's been 62 years for us in July," Rosemary McGinty said,
‘McGinty said his old unit has held close to 60 reunions.
“I\e been to 22 or maybe 24 of ther. Now there's just only a few of us left, but our children have kept
the reunions going," he said
McGinty is a member of VFW Post 9943 in Mansfield and the Sons of Herman,
Call Ron Simon at 419-756-7269 or send him at e-mail at rsimon@neo.rr.com.
1/16/2009 2:54 PM.