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/ 39
burning composition in the tubes. When the crimped “Fusees should be dropped about 5 seconds after the
cad is burned away, hold jolts frequently cause the _ priming is ignited, as at this period they are most resis-
Suraing upper layer of the composition in the tube to _tant to rough handling, and to being extinguished. It
completely fall out of the fusee, leaving the body of the will be found that lighted fusees dropped in this manner
ce entirely with out fire. from moving trains will almost invariably continue
“Fusees should not be thrown from a moving train, burning until entirely consumed. The proper time of
should be dropped spike end down, at a angle of dropping the lighted fusee is the most important point
ut 45 degrees. in avoiding failure in service.”
Officers of the 753rd Railway Shop Battalion:
4. Capt. Garrott; 2. 2nd Lt. Archcraft; 3. Capt. Barnes;
4, 1st Lt. Roehl; 5. Capt. Zinzer; 6. Capt. Qi
7. 2nd Lt. Chance; 8. Capt. Finkle, M.D.; 9. Major Kelly;
10, W. 0. Riddle; 11. Capt. Kirkwood; 12. Lt. Col. Daugherty;
43, 1st Lt, Bryant; 14. 1st Lt. Pierson; 15. 2nd Lt. Flanigan;
16, 1st Lt. Roberts; 17. 1st Lt. Hamilton; 18. C.W.O. Howe;
19, 1st Lt. Banks; 20. ist Lt. Wilder; 21. 1st Lt. White.
Photo from attthor’s collection.
Author Ralph W. Bailey at Oled
Rhamoun on detached duty with the
‘727th Railway Operating Battalion.
Photo from author's collection.
ee AU.S. Army 2-8-0 in deep trouble, Italy, 1944. Photo from author's collection.
—22— ‘The Big Four furnished two units to the Military
Railway Service during WW2. They were the 718 Rail-
way Operating Battalion and the 753 Railway Shop
Battalion. I served in the 753 from 13 Feb 42 until 6 Nov
45. We were overseas from 12 Dec 42 until 31 Oct 45.
‘Most of the original officers were from Beech Grove
Shops. Col. Lester Meek was our first CO but was re-
placed before we went overseas by Col. J. J. Daugherty
who had been General Foreman of the Southern Pacific
Houston Locomotive Shops.
We also had a large number of NCOs from Beech
Grove and the PRR shops at Altoona plus qualified shop
hands from coast to coast. So we had plenty of well-
qualified men right from the start.
Later on in Italia several of our men were given field
commissions, Col. Daugherty was replaced by Col.
Charles O. Butler from the Atlantic Coast Line.
‘The 763 was activated 15 April 42 and took over the
Toledo & Ohio Central (NYC) car and locomotive shops
#t Bucyrus, Ohio. The adjacent Crawford County Pair-
grounds were put into service for living quarters and
nilitary training, and called Camp C. S. Millard. This
facility was used to train railway units all during the
war. The 753 was the first unit processed.
We trained and worked there until Co, A, B and H&S
were moved to Fort Dix via the PRR in November. We
departed from the USA on the SS Lyons and SS H. F.
Alexander.
Off Cape Hatteras we ran into some terrible weather
and some steel bunks in a forward hold of the Lyons
lapsed, killing two men from another unit. They were
buried at sea assoon as weatluer permitted.
_ We landed in Oran, Algeria 26 Dee 42. Two days later
most of us moved by rail to Sidi bel Abbes, headquarters
of the French Foreign Legion. There we worked with
French civilians repairing cars in the shops of the Chem-
sas de Fer Algerians (Algerian State Railways).
__A few weeks later the battalion moved by rail to Sidi
Mabrouk, a suburb of Constantine, where the principal
shops of the CFA were located,
_ We left a gang at Oran to assemble cars and locomo-
wves from the USA, and operate the roundhouse. This
ig would not rejoin us until July 44 in Napoli
‘We commenced repairing French locomotives but the
rench dragged their feet fearing we would repair so
any locomotives that they would be furloughed,
__ Due to lubrication problems and accident damage we
Sere soon busy keeping our USA 2-8.0s running, Bro
sen cylinders were our specialty. We assembled $2 USA
jeter gauge 2-8-2s that arrived in erates. We had up to
00 men on detached service with the 727 ROB and a
ritish railway company at Ouled Rhamoun, Tebessa,
fateur, and Tunis. We took over the engine house adja-
ent to our shop when the 719 ROB moved to Italia. We
Sve many of our USA 28-05 annual inspections before
~ left North Africa.
The 753" Railway Shop Battalion
Pears aad
Meanwhile Co. C with Capt. Frank Kossuth in com-
mand arrived at Casablanca 19 Feb 43 and headed for
Oran where they started assembling erated cars from
the USA. In Sept 43 they moved to Sidi Mabrouk. In
Feb 44 they moved to Bizerte and embarked for Napoli.
Mareh 44 the battalion moved by rail to Oran and
embarked for Napoli
In Napoli Co. C took over Officina Granili. Lt. Fisger
and a few NCOs supervised some Italians repairing
cars at Officina Pattison & Bufola, Co. C assembled or
repaired 6000 cars including hospital cars, the Red
Cross doughnut ear, and built two rail motor coaches for
Gen. Gray and one for Tke,
In Napoli the battalion bunked in empty freight
houses behind the main Post Office and adjacent to
Stazione Centrale, Piazza Garibaldi
We took over the Officina Smistamento which was
located about a mile from our camp. Tt had been an
electric locomotive repair shop and had a crane that
would handle our USA 2-8-0s, We scrounged around
and set up machinery required for heavy repairs to
steam locomotives.
Ferrovie dello Stat (Italian State Railways) purchased
400 2-8-0s from Aleo 1917-22. ‘There were probably 200
of them in our area in need of repairs of some sort so we
programmed them through our shop, converting them
plus all others shopped to burn oil since coal was scarce.
‘The Germans wouldn't let us sleep the first few weeks
and the night of 24 April 44 dropped a bomb on our
shop. Fortunately it landed on a tender fall of water
which absorbed much of the force. We placed in service
150 USA 2-8.0s from North Africa and the USA. We
took over the engine houses adjacent to our shop when
the 727 ROB moved north.
5 March 44 a double-headed train moving south on a
steep grade stalled in a tunnel near Balvano on the line
from Salerno to Potenza. 500 people suffocated so au-
thorities insisted that diesels be assigned to that route.
We set up a diesel platoon at Salerno mostly with
men from the 760 Railway Diesel Shop Battalion.
Iwas with the diesel platoon at Salerno from Oct 44
to May 45, While there I met and later married a lovely
signorina 2 June 45.
21 June I was with a gang on detached service at
Firenze. We also had men on detached serviee at Roma
and Bologna. We all returned to Napoli by 10 July.
Our gang at Oran had rejoined us in July 44 and took
over the steam locomotive facilities at Caserta. We
outshopped our 400th steam locomotive (8292) 24 April
45.
‘Most of us, depending on points, left Napoli 22 July
45 on the Gen. 0. H. Ernst enroute to the Philippines.
‘The few men remaining cleaned out the shop. The last
locomotive was the 1711.
(Continued on page 26)
—23—
ene The 753rd Railway
‘Shop Battalion’s
Shop. Naples,
Italy, 1944. Photo |p
{from author's
collection.
First locomotive outshopped by the
758d, Bucyrus, Ohio, 6967 was a
|| Baldwin 2-6-0 formerly on the
Panama R.R. Photo from the author's
collection.
The enemy had scored a hit on this
U.S. Army 2-8-0, Italy, 1944,
Photo from the author's collection.
=n DE EDEi—’"
Tue 753A Raiway . . . (Continued from page 23)
‘Those of us on the Ernst, knowing nothing about the
A-Bomb, thought we faced at least two more years sepa-
rated from our loved ones. We were six days short of the
International Date Line on VJ Day. What a wonderful
answer to our prayers!!
We debarked at Batangas, PI. 6 Sept 45 and most of
us, depending on points, left Manila 13 Oct on the SS
Uraguay headed for the good old USAY!
We landed in San Pedro 31 Oct and soon headed to
various posts for discharge, My group traveled by train
to Camp Atterbury via the Santa Fe, Alton, and PRR.
No guards on that train.
Iwas discharged 6 Nov 45 and returned to work at
the B&O as an apprentice machinist 9 Nov 45.
My wife arrived in Beech Grove 7 April 46, We have
made four trips to Italia, always visiting the shops each
time, We were always welcome and made new friends
Most of us enjoyed working with the French and
Italian railroaders. They were well trained and co-
operative.
We, the 753, hold our annual reunions at Bucyrus
You are all welcome.
HISTORICAL RECORDS:
‘758rd Railway Shop Battalion and Company C
Researched by Marlene Reckling Murty
From: National Archives Record Group 94,
Box 28342, WW II Operations Reports, Transportation
(TCBN-753-0.1 to TCBN-753-1.13)'
istory of the 753rd from activation ~ 30 Apr 1943
‘The 753rd Railway Shop Battalion, sponsored by the
New York Central Railroad, was the first organization
fits kind created in this war under Military Railway
vice, as a part of the U.S, Army Engineer Corps. It
s founded in 1934 as a Reserve battalion with men
om the New York Central commissioned to offices com-
able to their civilian jobs. When their 5 year com-
issions expired, these men began to leave, until, by
1e summer of 1941 few of the original officers were loft.
Most of the vacancies, however, were filled by men from
ech Grove Shops of the New York Central. On 15 Mar
942 several officers went to Ft. Leonard Wood, Mis-
muri, for four weeks of training. Included in these offie-
=s was one from the Pacific Railroad (sie) and one from
e Friseo Railroad.
After training, these officers were assigned to Camp
Millard, Bucyrus, Ohio. The Ohio location was chosen
ause a New York Central Railroad shop was located
ere. Camp Millard, named after the late Charles 8.
‘llard, former Vice President of the New York Central
ilroad, was set_up on the fairgrounds in nearby
rawford County, Ohio. The first enlisted man to join
fe company arrived from Ft, McClellan, Alabama, on.
7 April 1942, He was quickly followed by the eadremen
m the 711 Railway Operating Battalion at Camp
Jaiborne, Louisiana. Captain George E. Garrett. ar
ved from Ft, Leonard Wood on 11 May 1942,
‘The Battalion’s preparations for overseas movement
ere interrupted on 13 November by a review to honor
siting officials from the New York Central and the
Military Railway Service (MRS). Among those in atten-
dance was Mrs. Greer, the daughter of Charles Millard
On the 16th of November 1942 the railway units
were transferred from the U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
neers to the newly created Transportation Corps.
On 21 November 1942, at 2130 hrs., the Battalion,
less Co. C, proceeded via the Pennsylvania Railroad to
the staging area at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. No reason was
given why Company C remained behind, the report
simply summarized: “Co, C remained in Bucyrus, Ohio,
then later followed the Battalion overseas, but it is not
considered a part of the unit.”
‘The 753rd left New York Harbor on 12 December,
After being on the high seas 14 days, the ship arrived at
Mers el Kebir near Oran, Algeria, on the morning of the
26th of December, after an unexpected day’s delay. The
convoy was scheduled to reach Oran, Algeria on Decem.
ber 25th, so Christmas dinner was served a day early,
but on Christmas evening came the report by radio of
the assassination of Admiral Darlen at Algiers, and
debarkation was delayed until reaction of the native
population to this event could be ascertained,
‘There were several paragraphs about the situation
they found in Oran. One of the first problems to be
overcome was the lack of interpreters. Interpreters were
found, including two soldiers who spoke Arabie fluently.
While conducting this seareh, they also located soldiers
who were Italian and German linguists as well. This
was all by chance since the T/O? does not provide for any
such needs, ie., linguists. When the unit arrived, they
also found that there was only one other railway unit in
North Africa, the 761st Railway Operating Company
which had come over from England in the November
invasion.
One of the other problems was billeting for the sol-
diers. They were geographically scattered, making lo-
gistics and administration somewhat difficult. For in-
stance, some soldiers were billeted in an abandoned
theatre building in Oran and some in a fertilizer plant,
Others bedded down in French narrow gauge railroad
coaches, and nearly all of Co. B was in Sidi Bel Abbes
about 50 miles inland where there was a very modern
car shop, extremely well-equipped in all departments
even to the extent of a mill to saw out lumber directly
from the rough timber. It was here realized that Co. C,
the battalion’s car repair unit, which had been left be-
hind in the States, could have been of considerable
service. Without them, men from other crafts had to be
substituted,
Of interest was a schedule of hourly rates on which
the battalion based the charge against African rail-
roads. Privates were charged at the rate of $.2553 per
hour, Privates First Class §$.2575, Corporals and T5s*
$.3370, Sergeants and 4s $.3983, Staff Sergeants and
‘TSs $.5218, Technical Sergeants $.6163, and Master
Sergeants $.7732.
History of Company € of the
758rd Railway Battalion
The following report was one consolidated report
(from 21 November 1942 — 30 April 1943), a catch-up for
missing monthly reports, It included events of interest
from 21 November 1942 when the Battalion (less Com-
(Continued on neat page)
—25—
aie Tue 753Ap Raiway . . . (Continued from page 25)
pany C) moved from Camp Millard, Bucyrus, Ohio, to
the staging area at Fort Devens, New Jersey, prepara-
tory to movement overseas. Approximately 85% of the
enlisted men joined the Company with extensive civil-
ian experience in railway car work back of them. Cap-
tain Frank J. Kossuth was the commanding officer
On the 23rd of November 1942, an alert for move-
ment arrived, but it was not until 1545 hours on 22 Jan
1943 that the company finally left Camp Millard. 153
enlisted men and 2 officers left Bucyrus, Ohio, on a
troop train that arrived at Ft, Dix at 0700 on the 23rd of
January. After arriving at Dix, the soldiers were issued
mosquito bars, protective head nets, impregnated cloth-
ing, and physical examinations and inoculations against
various diseases were completed. Colonel Clark, of the
US. Army Corps of Engineers, conducted a clothing and
equipment inspection and remarked before the as-
sembled personnel that it was the best inspection he
had had in his 15 years of soldering. The soldiers spent
many hours in drill, They practiced entraining and de-
training, had gas mask drills, physical training, and
then during the ocean crossing they had boat drills.
On the 5th of February movement orders
(870.5(0SA)) arrived. The unit was to move to Staten
Island Terminal, Staten Island, NY. For the move, re-
quired uniforms were woolen OD (blouses) and leggings;
the overcoat was to be worn or carried. Enlisted men
were to carry their “A” bags, while “B” bags were to be
packed to go as baggage. These orders also cautioned
about secrecy, warning that everyone would refrain from,
writing letters, sending telegrams or radiograms, or
make telephone calls wherein the contemplated move-
ment is discussed.
At 1535 hours on 7 February 1943, the company left
Fort Dix and proceeded via rail to the New York Port of
Embarkation, arriving at 1930. Almost. immediately, all
were boarded onto the 25,000 ton British steamer
Athlone Castle. The next day, February 8th, the Athlone
Castle put out to sea at 0800. One long look at the
Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and the boys
turned to explore their new surroundings.
‘Twelve days later, on 20 February 1943, after an
uneventful trip, they docked in Casablanca, French Mo-
rocco, in the morning. The company left the ship at
approximately 0400 hours. Immediately after debark-
ing the company formed in platoon and with the aid of a
guide, marched seven (7) miles to a bivouac area and
promptly pitched tents at 0530 hrs. From the 20th
through the 25th, guard and company duties were per-
formed while daily details were sent to the dock to
gather organizational equipment which was late in un-
loading. ‘These were trying times because the docks
were piled high with equipment of all descriptions and
it was difficult to locate Co. C property amidst the piles.
On 26 February the company departed Casablanca
at 2300 hrs., travelling via rail, They detrained in Oran,
Algeria on 1 March, Here they were quartered in an old
fertilizer plant... [which was] very undesirable, as the
air was foul and weapons rusted overnight. Cots could
not be obtained and personnel of necessity slept: on the
concrete floors of the building, as timber was a frozen
item.
At the Oran Docks no satisfactory location had been
provided for the assembly of the box, flat, gondola and
numerous other type cars being unloaded daily. An as-
sembly track had to be constructed, and many hours
were spent laying the necessary rail and placing essen-
tial equipment preparatory to assembly. A lighting sys-
tem for night work was installed. A lightning assembly
system was worked out, patterned after the highly sue-
cessful assembly lines in the States, which played such
an important part in winning the supply battle of this
war. When work was completed, it was named Assem-
bly Plant No. 1 and Co. C was ready to earry out its
primary mission, assembly of U.S. Army rolling stock in
the North African Theatre of Operations.
Shortly after beginning operations at the docks a
steady rain began. Work was much hampered due to the
slop and mire; this was somewhat alleviated by spread-
ing gravel, and_a wall tent was erected to house the
assembly plant headquarters and tool room. Actual a:
sembly began on March 3rd, in spite of an acute short-
age of tools. Later, several French flat cars were ob-
tained which provided a work surface until such time as,
A frames, for turning the cars over, were completed.
Four such frames were constructed, and the work was
much simplified thereby. There was only one crane
available to assist in the assembly work during this
early period.
From the 18th - 22nd of March 30 50-ton war flats
were erected and placed into service. The period of
March 22nd to the 31st was given to the assembly of
underframes for eighty (80) 40 ft. box cars. Forty three
of these underframes were pressed into service to haul
narrow gauge locomotive parts to Sidi Mabrouk, there
to be assembled by the 753rd Ry. Shop Bn. ‘These
underframes were later sent back to the assembly plant
for completion as box ears.
An interesting sidelight is the Arab labor that was
employed in the 5th day of operation. The so-called
Army “Gold Brick” proved to be a mere amateur when
compared to these fellows. All efforts to make them
work brought only ‘no compre” or comparable Arabic
Jingo. Supervisors were kept so busy keeping them busy
that their own work suffered. Results were negligible
and the Arab labor was discarded. In its stead a group of
French sailors were procured to assist the soldier
carmen. Their assistance proved invaluable and pro-
duction was speeded. The company was able to secure
their services, because the ships they manned had been
sunk prior to being fully equipped. They stayed on until
the end of the month, at whieh time they were assigned
new ships and again put out to sea.
During the month of Mareh, nota day passed without,
great quantities of car equipment being unloaded from
ships, barges, freight cars and French motor trucks. By
the Bist, 185 freight cars of various types had been
completely erected and placed in service.
About the middle of March definite arrangements
were made to evacuate the fertilizer plant for more
suitable quarters. A camp site was required and work
started on a more comfortable and sanitary living facil-
ity. This work in addition to work at the docks entailed
putting in an average of between 16 and 18 hours daily
for a month, A mess hall, day room, sanitary latrine and
75 hutments were built. On 21 March 1943 the Com-
pany moved into its new home. Morale improved imme-
diately.
—26— ‘The first of April saw the assembly plant in full
operation and cars rolling off the assembly line at a
gratifying pace. From Ist-3rd 30 33-ton meter gauge
gondola ears completed, loaded on 80 40° box cars and
shipped out for service on meter gauge lines of the
North African Railroads. April 3-5 30 33-ton meter
gauge flat cars assembled and placed in service. April
15-10, 40 20-ton standard gauge gondolas rolled off the
assembly line. April 11-15 40 20-ton box type
underframes. April 16-21 30 50-ton standard gauge war
flats equipped with stabilizers, April 22-26 40 40-ton
standard gauge tank cars, It is interesting to note that a
spur track was laid for the express purpose of unloading
tank cars from barges, Refrigerator cars were started at,
this time and an enviable record of one car completed
daily for 20 days running... Agrand total of 195 ears of
various descriptions was the assembly record for the
month of April.
On the 26th and 27th of April, 1943, the soldiers fired
their Springfield 1903 rifles and cal. 45 colt automatics
on the nearby Canastel Firing Range which was main-
tained by the French military authorities. Sixty percent
of the soldiers qualified. Another April project was the
construction of a baseball diamond. A bulldozer was
obtained and, on their own time, the men completed the
field in three days.
The reports that follow were the required monthly
reports. When there was a separate report for C Com-
pany, it is printed in italies. At the end of each C Co.
report is the report from the 753rd Railway Battalion,
Note that I gave only a flavor of activities at the Battal-
ion level, rather than copying a large amount of detail.
May 1943: Strength: 153 Enlisted Men, 4 Officers. The
health of the company was reported as satisfactory ex-
cept for several hospitalizations brought about as a re-
sult of the after effects of taking Atebin, a malaria pre-
ventative.
HQ Military Railway Service (MRS) announced the
organization of a Provisional Mechanical Erection De-
tachment APO 700 of which Co, C was to become part
and be known as provisional Co. B. The detachment
orders stated that the company’s mission was to be in
charge of the assembly of incoming shipments of railway
equipment.
515 cars were assembled this month. They were of 5
different types which necessitated changes in the assem:
bly set up each time a different type was to be assembled.
Company personnel experienced their first air raid on
the 19th between 2200 and 2245 hrs. Breaking through
coastal defenses, the planes were over the dock area just
as the air raid siren finished its warning. Due to ma-
chinery noise, many of the men did not hear the siren
and were late starting for shelter. As a result some were
knocked down by concussion of explosives that were fall-
ing in and around the assembly plant. Other than suf-
fering a few minor bruises and cuts the men reached
safety. A second raid occurred on 20 May but this time
[the] enemy was driven off quickly and no casualties
were reported. Work hours were changed so the men are
clear of the docks during darkness.
Two-man huts were replaced by pyramidal tents. Five
men worked daily, the greater part of the month effecting
this change.
Damage to the L’ Air Liquide plant at Sidi Mabrouk
caused the unit to experience oxygen and acetylene
problems. The organization has acetylene generators
for emergency use but no facilities for producing oxy-
gen,
The engine house water supply broke down but was
restored using a gas-driven fire pump.
Sune 1943: Strength: 145 Enlisted Men, 4 Officers. 255
cars were completely assembled and delivered for ser-
vice. Work was also being conducted in other cities from
Oujda, Morocco, to Telizane, Algeria, due to the large
number of hot journal boxes.
They completed installation of wooden floors and
bunks in all of the newly constructed pyramidal tents
was completed.
Location: Sidi Mabrouk, A list of all officers by name
was provided.
uly 1943: Strength: 154 Enlisted Men, 3 Officers. 291
cars were assembled or converted.
It was unusually hot . . . around 100 degrees. Work,
however, continued unabated.
A crating and stenciling program was started the last
half of the month preparatory to a move.
Listed under Other Work of the battalion was “manu-
factured 1-10 gal. ice cream freezer; constructed 5
tables, 6 benches for battalion mess; repaired 2 auto
springs; manufactured 5 portable shears, repaired gear
housing of loading cranes.” In addition, 900 hours were
spent improving the billeting area. There were 454 EM.
and 19 officers assigned.
July introduced us to typical African climate, the
temperature hovering around 100 degrees... Many
evenings were joyfully spent attending shows and
dances arranged for the enlisted men by the Special
Services Officer and his staff. Location: Sidi Mabrouk.
August 1943: Strength: 151 Enlisted Men, 3 Officers.
At the assembly plant in Oran they erected 15 20-ton
standard gauge box cars, repaired 36 hot boxes and
converted 2 box ears to refrigerator cars.
During early August the “equipment at Oran was
crated, stenciled and loaded on railroad cars for move-
ment to Sidi Mabrouk.” On 15 August they departed
Oran at noon by train. On the 17th they arrived and
bivouacked immediately in an ideal area that had been
constructed especially for them by personnel from the
other companies of the battalion,
‘The Battalion report stated that Co. C of this Battal-
ion joined its parent unit at Sidi Mabrouk, 17 August,
1943 . . . This was the first meeting with Company C
since the happy days at Bueyrus, Ohio. Many old friend-
ships were renewed. Co. C's transfer order (#APO 512
dated 13 Aug 1943) required them to move on or about,
15 August. The move from Oran to Sidi Mabrouk cov-
ered personnel and 1,000 cubic meters, 45 tons of orga-
nization equipment. ‘They were thereby relieved from
attachment to MBS [probably MRS] for supply and ad-
ministration, and reverted to control of the parent unit.
Five meter gauge locomotives were received, uncrated
and delivered to Guled Rhamoun, requiring 4,467 man
hours. Work on others was delayed awaiting parts. In-
cluded in the work accomplished were 2 French locomo-
(Continued on page 29)
~27— Gene Trefz (NYC),
Ford Blanford (NYC)
and Ralph Balley (B80).
788rd Railway Shop Battalion,
Sidi Mabrouk. Photo from |
author's collection.
‘The Red Cross Donut Gar, built
bby the 753rd Railway Shop
Battalion, Naples, 1944. Photo
from the author's collection,
—26— ‘THe 753rp Raiway . . . (Continued from page 27)
tives and 2 US. diesel locomotives shipped in from
Egypt where they had seen a great deal of service.
These were being prepared for duty in another theater.
Work was delayed slightly due to a Regimental Re-
view and taking of movies for the Office of War Informa-
tion. It required 2 hrs/day for 5 days for preparatory
drill and the entire day of the ceremony. However, later
in the report this was summed up as the “highlight of
this month was the Regimental Review, August 17. All
U.S. Military Railway troops in the constantine area
took part in the ceremony.” During the ceremony, 3
enlisted men received the Soldiers Medal for heroism in
saving lives and property when several ears of ammuni-
tion exploded on a train in which they were passengers.
Before Co. C arrived, 2,320 man hours were spent
working on a new billet area, while a total of 1,683 man
hours were expended salvaging lumber from moter
gauge locomotive crating. This lumber was useful in the
construction of two-man huts to be occupied by the
personnel of Co. C.
Strength: 468 Enlisted Men and 19 Officers. Loca-
tion: Sidi Mabrouk
(Now that Co. C is with their parent unit, there were
no more individual Co. C reports. Thus, from here on,
the reports are for the 573rd Railway Battalion as a
whole.]
September 1943: Strength: 616 Enlisted Men and 21
Officers. Location: Sidi Mabrouk. Lists officers by name,
as of 30 Sept, 369 EM received good conduct medals. A
battalion baseball team was organized and the Septem-
ber weather proved to be ideal for baseball and in spite
of victories by the opponents, many enjoyable hours
were spent by team and spectators. U.S. and CRA.
cars, and British war flats were worked on.
October 1943: Strength: 625 Enlisted Men and 25 Of-
ficers. Co, C: 159 EM and 4 Officers. Location Sidi
Mabrouk
Work was delayed while awaiting parts. 3 U.S. Army
Nell cars were assembled. Strength was 625 EM. 2 EM.
returned from detached service with the 189th Railway
Operations (British), at Guardimaou Tunis since July
13, 1943.
November 1943: Strength: 616 Enlisted Men and 19
Officers. Location: Sidi Mabrouk, Work included assem-
bly of 10 U.S. Army locomotives (9 standard gauge and
1 meter gauge), and repairs of 49 U.S., 73 C.F.A and 9
Red Cross ears. Also construction of a Truck-Bus Cara-
van, a French bus mounted on a 22 ton cab-over-engine
G.M.C,, for General Eisenhower's personal use was com-
pleted 16 November and shortly after, prosonted to the
General's aides. Equipped fully for sleeping purposes as
well as office work, having a bathroom with a shower,
(hot and cold running water) bunk with box spring and
mattress that ean be converted into a sofa when not in
use, a secretary desk, a large easy chair and many other
conveniences that might be found in the modern home.
A letter of commendation from General Eisenhower was
received recently. The file includes copy of the mes-
sage addressed by General Bisenhower to General
Gray’, passed on by Battalion Commander, John J
Dougherty, which reiterated General Hisenhower's
words about his caravan... . for my personal use. Ihave
———
never seen a finer job of workmanship and it will add
much to my comfort on trips to the forward areas.
December 1943: Location: Sidi Mabrouk. Strength:
612 Enlisted Men and 19 Officers. 7 NCOs were sent to
school in bomb reconnaissance and laying the destruc-
tion of mines and booby traps. Locomotives were con-
verted from coal to oil and some were equipped with
electric headlights with the last one being completed on
Christmas Day. They repaired 36 U.S. locomotives and
cars, 8 Red Cross cars, 65 CFA ears, and 6 British war
flats. They had temporarily received 8 boilermakers
and helpers due to the excess U.S. Army locomotive
boiler repairs, 10 EM, locomotive mechanics, were TDY
to Mateur, Tunisia
‘The French authorities requested that 100 American
soldiers participate, along with hand picked British and
French troops, in a review presented in honor of Gen-
eral DeGaulle’s visit to Constantine on December 12th.
Co. C, a well trained, smart stepping detachment of
Cheminots, let by Company Commander Frank J.
Kossuth, Captain, was selected for this assignment.
Although no longer in the file, the original report had
attached to ita photograph of them marching in front of
General DeGaulle, General Catroux, Governor General
of Algeria, and other VIPs in the reviewing stand. The
report summarized that it was an elaborate ceremony.
On Christmas Day, the Battalion played host (Santa
Claus) to all the children in the neighborhood and those
from two nearby orphanages . .. Christmas Day, Santa
Claus, played by Pvt. Ernest Nadean of Co. C presented
the children with gifts which included all sorts of
wooden toys and the ever favorite Bon Bon . . . a large
Christmas tree was placed in the center of the Motor
Pool area, dressed with electric lights, pine cones
painted various colors and silver tinsel. The barracks
were decorated with home made wreathes, elaborate
cleetric signs bearing seasons greetings, and strings of
colored lights,
January 1944: Strength: 614 Enlisted Men and 21
Officers at Sidi Mabrouk, Algeria. 41 EM were assigned
to the CFA roundhouse preparatory to the Battalion
assuming responsibility for roundhouse operations. Sev-
eral locomotives were outshopped. Locomotives which
had been stored at Guled Rahmoun were transported to
Sidi Mabrouk and prepared for overseas support. Con-
verted locomotives from coall to oil. French CFA carmen
and Italian prisoners, also working in the car shops,
will take over all operations when Co. C vacates. Be-
cause of this, Co. C men have devoted many hours
instructing and demonstrating their method of car re-
pair.
On 15 January 1944 LTC Daugherty, Bn. Cér., re-
layed a message from General Gray expressing his ap-
preciation and thanks for the Christmas party for the
youngsters in Sidi Mabrouk . . . [which will] leave the
people with whom we have lived for better than a year,
with a true understanding of what real Americans are,
what they stand for, and the manner that they live and
enjoy life ... those youngsters are the future citizens of
North Africa and never will they forget the 753rd and
the country that they represent.
[Note that a year’s reports were not in the file, and
the unit is now in Italy:]
(Continued on next page)
—29— Tue 753Ap Raiuway . . . (Continued from page 29)
March 1945: A new dental technician LLt Stern, re-
ported. Converted 3 box cars to low side gondolas, and 2
low side gondolas to flat cars. Salvaged 4 box cars, 4
high side gondolas and 2 low side gondolas, They listed
Pattison, Bufola, Pietrarsa, and Remissa Shops [which
I believe were the names of the shops. Crews on site in
the Naples area] plus workers at Salerno and Aversa.
‘Tec 4 James Marino was TDY to Oran, Algeria, for rest
and recuperation for the purpose of marriage to Julia
Alphosina Garcia,
April 1945: Strength of 718 purchased $1837.50 in War
Bonds, 690 EM deposited $5530 [but the report gave me
no clue what kind of deposits]. 17 EM were in Caserta,
24 in Salerno, and an unspecified number were in
Aversa.
May 1945; Strength of 680 purchased $2381.25 in War
Bonds and the 654 soldiers deposited $3965. Types of
work included casting, cutting, repairing, manufactur-
ing, applying, dismounting, ete. 2 FM were in Caserta
and 30 were in Aversa,
June 1945: Outlined the work completed in the
Pattison Shop and the Bufola shop as well as account-
ing for 25 EM who were sent to Caserta to service
locomotives and 30 EM sent to Aversa.
duly 1945: Strength: 724 EM, 2 WO, and 2 Officers.
‘The Pattison Shop, [which was listed as if this were
synonymous with Co. C] completed 9 heavy, 36 medium,
and 24 light repairs, It also listed Rip Tracks Co. C
doing 0 heavy, 2 medium, and 99 light repairs. Repairs
were also completed by Naples and Bufola Shops. There
was lots of casting done: from hollow and hex bronze
bars to brake shoes; from sand box seats to gears for a
boiler shop crane.
On 1 July the Battalion received verbal orders of
redeployment. They ceased shop operations 7 July and
all personnel were employed in packing organizational
equipment and records, and checking individual equip-
ment. Organizational equipment was to accompany the
unit but the heavy equipment was to remain in Italy. 31
Officers and 724 Enlisted Men boarded the Navy trans-
port U.S.S, General Ernst, at Naples at 1400 hours on
22 July and sailed at 1800. Voyage uneventful through,
31 July 1945.
August 1945: Strength: 724 Enlisted Men and 31 Offic-
ors.
Aboard the Ernst the entire month. Arrived at
Cristobal, Panama at 1200 hrs. on 4 August. Troops
were permitted liberty ashore for a few hours, where
they were limited to the enclosed Dock Area. Sand-
wiches, ice cream and soft drinks were distributed free
by the Red Cross and U.S.O., and all had opportunity to
purchase magazines, candy, cigarettes, souvenirs, etc.
from the Army Special Service installations. This was a
welcome respite from the monotonous ship routine and.
aided greatly in improvement of troop morale.
‘They began transiting the Canal at 0600 hrs. 5 Au-
gust and entered the Pacific at 2000.
At 1520 hours, 14 August 1946, when announcement
was made that the Japanese Government had agreed to
accept the Allied terms for unconditional surrender, the
General Ernst was located in 3° 44’ North Latitude and
—30
138° 16’ West Longitude about 1200 miles southeast of
Hawaii and 3500 miles west of Panama.
At 0845 hours on August 20th they crossed the 180th
Meridian (International Date Line) in latitude 2” 29°
North and advanced their calendars to 21 August. At
1555 hours, 24 August, they crossed the Equator South-
bound in Longitude 157° 40° East. In accordance with
Navy tradition, Officers and Enlisted Men of the Battal-
ion underwent initiation ceremonies for membership in
‘The Ancient Order of the Deep, conducted by the Royal
Court of King Neptunus Rex. All Shellbacks were then
presented with appropriate membership cards.
‘They arrived in Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, on
August 27th at 0845. The ship was provisioned and
refueled, and they were on their way again at 1845
hours on 28 August.
Along with other enlisted men and some officers,
Master Sergeant Edmund J. Ryan, a welder in Co. B,
and Staff Sergeant Kern R. Bowen, the railway shop
foreman of Co. C, received Bronze Stars for operations,
in Italy.
September 1945: Strength: 299 [this number seems
too low] Enlisted Men, 2 Warrant Officers and 29 Offic-
Aboard the U.S.S. Gen. O. H. Ernst, Navy transport,
enroute S.W. Pacific area, They left Naples at, 1800 22
July and arrived in the outer harbor of Manila PI. at
0800 hours, 2 Sept., anchoring in the inner harbor at
1100. This Battalion (only) remained aboard to proceed
to Batangas, Luzon, approximately 75 miles south of
Manila. On 5 September, 2345 hours, they departed.
‘They arrived in Batangas at 0900 6 September where
they debarked by LCT landing craft tank]. They loaded
on semi-trailers and proceeded to Base “R” Reception
Center in Bauan, Luzon, where they set up 12-man
squad tents to augment the 20-odd already available.
By 1800 sufficient tents were set up to accommodate
the entire Battalion, Men were assigned 16 to a tent.
This location proved to be unsuitable because it had
previously been an irrigated rice field so it was impos-
sible to improvise a drainage system. They were as-
signed to XI Corps and immediately moved to XI Corps
Staging Area at Lemery, Luzon, about 12 miles from
Bauan,
Daily details were transported to Lemery. After the
mess halls, tents for living quarters, latrines, ete., had
been set up, the entire Battalion was trucked to their
new location. They were located in a coconut grove,
overlooking the sea where the soil was sandy and pro-
vided good drainage. Squad tents were set up between
the rows of coconut trees making an ideal camp site.
Gasoline lanterns and candles were first used for light
ing purposes, until the Battalion equipment could be
brought from the docks. As soon as the equipment
reached this area, a 15 KW Ready Power set was
uncrated and put into operation. An electrical erew was
detailed to erect power lines and install lighting facili-
ties in all buildings and tents in the area. Radios were
soon uncrated and installed in the mess halls and dis-
tributed equally among companies.
‘The beach is used for bathing and swimming and
lifeguards were detailed to be on duty so the men have
protection during the hours that the beach is occupied, The ASRS' score was lowered to 80 points as of VI
Day so 59 Enlisted Men, 35 years of age or over, were
relieved from assignment from this organization and
were attached pending departure. They were attached
to 21st Replacement Depot for return to the United
States. The effective date of their transfer was 30 Sep-
tember 1945,
Overall, the unit had been in transit about 45 days
from Naples and they had experienced problems paying
the men because no financial officers were accessible
during the transit.
October 1945: Strength: 395 Enlisted Men, 1 Warrant
Officer, 14 Officers. 150 EM with ASRS points of 70 or
more were eligible for return to the United States,
On 20 September the Battalion was relieved from 8th
Army and assigned to AFWESPAC [Army Forces West-
ern Pacific] attached to the 775 Railway Grand Division
APO 75 and moved from Lemery, Province of Batangas
to Caloocan. On 15 October, they departed in 2s ton
trucks and on arrival were billeted in the Caloocan
railroad yards. They were quartered in a large building
(originally car shops). A large wooden barrack was
erected to quarter some troops and passenger coaches
were altered to quarter the remaining troops. Facilities
in the new camp were better than the original bivouae
area. A washroom and shower facilities were available,
@ condition which did not exist in other areas.
‘They worked on U.S. Army and Manila Railroad loco-
motives. The Caloocan shops were not damaged by the
Japanese occupation and equipment to repair rolling
stock was in fairly good condition. 797 Filipino workers
were employed, all working under officers and enlisted
men of this organization.
November 1945: Strength: 219 Enlisted Men, 1 War-
rant Officer, 13 Officers.
The ASRS score was lowered to 60 which made 220
Enlisted Men eligible for return to the United States for
purpose of discharge. 1Lt William Ashcraft assumed
command of Co. G (replacing 1Lt Turtullian E. Wilder).
Locomotive repairs completed at the Caloocan Shops,
Province of Rizal, Luzon, were listed by locomotive num:
ber, class of repair, date in and released from the shops.
Repairs were listed by types of cars and whether they
were light, medium, or heavy repairs. The types of cars
were high and low side gondolas, flat, heavy and light
box cars, refrigerator cars, passenger coaches, PFV or
troop cars, tank cars, baggage cars, automobile cars,
ete,
December 1945: Report contained numbers only, no
explanatory details. This was the final report included
in the 753rd Railway Battalion’s file at the National
Archives.
Endnotes:
All of the information recorded was from TCBN-753-.1, On quick review,
the remaining records all appeared ta be duplicate information
‘Table of Orgunination. This establishes sl ehe positions authorized within
fn Army unit, what skills are required by the pst, and what grades Che
indiviaals filing the postions should he
‘Technical specialists,
1 di read and track the command orders so don't know how long he was ia
command.
don’t know what this enonym stands for, butt may be Combined French
And Ali, or Combined Branch snd Aisicon, Central Forces Altea
6. Later reports lsted him as Brigadier General Cael R. Gray, Jr, Director
General or the Military Railway Ssstem,
1 don't know what the acronym stand for, but a pint system tha ook into
fonsideraton tine already served and age of te soldier. was implemeniad
te determine who would be rleneed fra the service fst
Company C of the 753rd Railway Shop Battalion assembling box cars at Oran, Alge!
Photo from author's collection.
_ QWACH L2h.2 & LAL.
753rd Trans Ba, AR
SUBJECT: Coat of Arms and Distinctive Insignia for the 753rd Transportation
Battalion, Arty Reserve
- k, The distinctive insignia (metal type for wear on the shoulder loops)
consists of the shield and motto of the coat of arms for this organization,
which is ceseribed in paragraph 2.
As prescribed by current requlat
S. The approved painting of the distinctive insignia, for use in its
manufacture, will be forwarded the organization on or about 20 June 1958.
6. This redecigmtion and amenduent is in accordance with the "Official
Statement of Lineace anc Battle Honors" for subject uit dated 7 January 1953.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
Jom 6 hoomer, aR.
Hajok, UC”
Chief, Hereldic Services Division | COAT OF ARMS FOR- COLOR. OF Lot?
iW, Bailey Obituary: View Ralph Bailey's Obituary by Toledo Blade _ hiip:/;www.feyacy:convobituaries/toledoblade/obituary:aspx?s
lomel
toledoBlade.com
News SPORTS Leisure usiness
oFWON ‘CUSTOMER SERVICE
Resources Send Flowers Now File for SSI Disebily 1880 Geneus: Vounteer Find Death Certificates
Obituary |
Falph W.Balley | viet cuss Sook
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3/22/2012 5:52 PM eadquerters, 763d Engineer Battelion, Railway Shop (formerly)
Headcuarters, €lst Engineer Battalion (Ry Shop) (Furnerly)
Se crattet)
rlvd, ‘STATIONS AND MOVEMENTS
Firen(Pel) ‘por
st ey Bh Tem Te
Bueyrus, Ohio
acing) Pt. Dix, Naw Jersey
|APO 668 (NY)
JAPO 529 (arr)
Sonstentine (A)
|
|
|
Stat-Mabrouk |
|
Italy (8001-23) 7-22-45) (GEN ERNST)
Manila, P.1, | Be27US| Me 1Hk6 | Ineatinated |
Beach Grove, Indians 4 5-49} 9-27-50, ACTIVATED |
Ti. story , Var (1) a 10-1-50 Sumer Treiaing |
i
Beech Grove, Indiana Q 1-22-52 macer7arap | .
wolis, Im. (P) 12-20-53] 8-3-5 SOR i
Fort Bustis, Virginie (2)) 8-552, 8-17-52 | ne i | |
Indienepolis, Ind. (P}} 8-17-52}. My |
few York, H.'T. ()a toy 532 NA | |
Pe, Dustiby Vee. (B) a2" Jal53 26 Jul 53 Field Ing | |
New York, N. Ye (P)26 Jul53 1 Jan Sh i
Indianapolis, Ind. (P)|2 Jan Shoe juash, |
Ft, Eustis, Va. (7) pS Julsh 8 aug Sh | Field Ing |
Indianapolis, Ind. (P) 8 Aug Shy aug 55
Ft. Eustis, va, (2) |b aug 5526 aug 55] Mela te | |
4 4 I 12 Aug 56
pare ane eyes Aeee26 jue 24 Field Tag | |
Indianapolis, Ind. (Pes Aug 5614 Juls7,
Sp. HeCoy, ‘ise. ‘)ah Jul$7/28 JulS7) Field The
Indianapolis, Ind, (P)28 Jul57/3 aug 58
Ft. Eustis, Va. (1)3 ang 58/17 Aug 58 Fisid The
Indianapolis, Ind. (P)/17 Aug98 6 May 89° INACTIVATED | BRIEF HISTORY
The Slst Engineer Battalion (Ry Shop) was censtituted
asa Regular Ay THH6ttve UAE ‘gad allotted to the 3d
Corps Area - per AG 320.2 (11-30-32) dated December 17, 19333
Bist Locomotive iepete, Battalion (Engrs)(Wil) was reconstituted
and consolidated vitth the Sisi Sngineer Battalion (Ry Shop)
per AG 320.2 (9-8-36) datéd September 2), 1936; redesignated
~133¢.Engineer Battalion.- per AG 320.2 ( ~h1Sa(Ret)-C,
dated February 21, 1941; to be ordered into active military
Service at Bucyrus, Ohio - per AG 320.2 (3-2-)2)MR-NC, dated
Maren 19, 1942.
0, More<—
MR.
1805
Prk / Juck O, Brown, Veteran of the 753rd Railway Shop Batallion http://home. lash.net/~cymartin/crossxroads/8 Ibrown. him,
Lof2
Free
Jack O. Brown, Veteran of the 753rd Railw:
Shop Batallion
By Cy Martin
Jack O. Brown is a retired car foreman. Mr. Brown told us he retired in 1972 with 47 years
service. He is 90 years old, but talks in a booming voice that sounds like he is only 20. He started
working for the Texas and Pacific in 1923 -- before Centennial Yard -- even before there was
Lancaster Yard -- when the shops were downtown.
He served in World War II, in the 753rd Railway Shop Battalion, and relates, "When the War
broke out, I was finishing boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood. I found out that the Night Chief
Dispatcher of the Texas and Pacific Railway, Roy P. Moss, was forming a Railway Battalion in
Louisiana.
Jack says, "I called him and ask to be transferred. He said he would arrange it, but I'd have to
pay my own way down there. I jumped at the chance to do work I knew something about.
"We landed in Casa Blanca and were sent from there to Oran, in North Africa, where we
assembled cars on the dock as they unloaded the parts off the ships.
Some of them were little 4-wheel cars and others were flatears for 50-ton tanks. We assembled
tank cars and refrigerator cars too. The cars didn't have air brakes and were coupled with a big
hook and link, We had to install buffers on each corner of the cars.
"They later moved us to Naples, Italy. The Germans bombed us every night for two weeks.
Mount Vesuvius even erupted while we were there, There were rivers of lava everywhere. We
were there when they brought Amon Carter Jr. out of prison camp.
"One of the things we did there was to equip baggage cars with tanks on the roof so water could
be piped down into the cars. They were used to transport wounded from the front lines. These
cars had air brakes. "If Mussolini did one only good thing, it was to clectrify the Italian
railroads.
After that they shipped us to Manila in the Pacific. It took 45 days via the Panama Canal. We
were there when the Japanese Surrendered.
“There were many Railway Operating Battalions but only one Railway Shop Battalion," Jack
said.
Roy Moss stayed on in Italy after the war for two years as General Manager of the Italian
Railroads. He was just a plain everyday man. He wasn't faney, just all railroad.
Jack Brown is an active member of the Railroad Retirees' Club. It meets at Luby's Cafeteria at
University and White Settlement Road at 9:00 a.m. every second Wednesday each month. They
also have a business meeting in the Communications Union Building across from John Peter
3/9/2006 12:55 PM. GACH L2h.2 & Leib 20 May 1958
‘Ys3rd Trans Bn, AR
SUBJECT: Coat of Arms and Distinctive Insignia for the 753rd Transportation
Rettalion, Ary Reserve
‘Mt — Comanding Gencral
Fifth United States Aray
1660 Fast Park Boulevard
Chicago 15, Illinois
Commanding Officer
‘153ra Transportation Bettalion
Indienapolis, Indiana
1, The coat of arms redesignated this date for the 753#4 Transportation
Battalion, Arny Reserve, and anended to add the Army Reserve crest and change
the motte, was originally approved for the 753rd Engineer Battalion, This
approval wes by letter SPQRD 2h = 753rd Engineer Battalion (Railway Operating),
the Office of The Quartermaster General, 28 November 19h2.
2, The blazo:
and description are as follows:
Per bona argent and gules, a stea
car, sucke issuant from stack in
comobive and coal
s6, counterchanged,
CREST: That for the reginents and separate battalions ef the
Arny Reserve: On a wreath of the colors (argent and
goles) the Lexington Minute Man proper. The statue of
‘the Minute Men, Captain John Parker (HH, Kitson, sculptor)
stands on the common in Lexington, Mesachusetis.
MOTTO: Sill and Glory.
The colors are the scarlet and silver of the Corps of Engineers.
The work of the organization is representative of the locomotive
and coal car.
3. The distinctive insignia redesigmsted this date for the 753rd Trans-
portation Battalion, Army Reserve, and amended to change the motto, was
originally wed for the 753rd Engineer Battalion. This approval was by
letter SPQRD 121 - 753rd Engineer Pattalion (Railway Operating), the Office of
The Quarterméter General, 28 November 19)2. '
LINEAGE AND BATTLE HONORS Active i
‘
{caren
7534 TRANSPORTATION BATTALION | AR
(Firth U.S. army
Tinesee
reenized eptember 1916 at Fort Benjamin Herrison,
epair Battalion (Engrs)
as Elst Locomotive F
Denobila
in Deceuber 1918 at F Ben,
eeoustituted 1 July 1933 as Bist Engine
ton (Radley Stop)
Redesignated 21 Pebruary 1941 as 7534 Engineer Battalion (Ratlvey Shop);
affiliated with Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, end St. Louis Railroad
Ordered into active military service 15 april 192 at Bucyrug, Onto
Redesignated 1 April 1942 as 753d Engineer Railway Shop Bettelion
+ Converted and redesignated 16 November 1942 as 7534 Retlway Shop Battelion,
Transportation Corps 7
Inactivated 1 April 1946 in Menile, Philippine Islands
Withdrawn from Reguler Army 9 Deceuber 1948, redesignated 7534 Transportation
Reilvay Shop Battalion, and allotted to Organized Reserve Corps
Assigned to Fifth Army 1 January 19h9
| Activated 5 April 1949 et Beach Grove, Indiena; affiliated with New York
Central System, New York, New York
Inactivated 22 January 1951 at Beach Grove, Indiana
Activated 10 December 1951 at Indianapolis, Indians; affiliated with Cleveland,
Colusbus, Cincinnati and St. Louis (Mew York Central) Railroad)
Relieved from assignnent to Fifth Army, assigned to First Army, and activated
1 Mey 1953 at New York, New York; remained affiliated with Rew York Central
Syetem
Relieved from assignment to First Army, assigned to Fifth Army, and activeted
1 January 1954 et Indienepolis, Indiana
Redesignated 29 June 1954 as 753d Transportation Battalion (Railway Shop)
Inuetivated 6 fay 1959 at india nd tan:
Page 1 of 2 pages
Prepared 6 Jan 58/RM/aey ‘
“Goruoeitres Fox ALi STaTawaNT® OF PICT ani CiTs0 IW THE, OaTE>
iit Wores oN iia IN Tho oprice, cgiEr oF wiLITAgY BISTOrY
IKI PORMG BEPGAGER SE! OSES dent OES Steren, nESTES
|
| a (Organized Reserve Corps redesignated Amy Reserve tn 1952)
7
genase
FO AS RE IS EY GETS ic
753 TRANSPORTATION BATPALION (CONE |
i
| HOME AREA Be
1
| campaton
|
'
DECORATIONS
| '
None
UNIT Day
‘
|
i
Page 2 of 2 pages
r : “ursoRITiRS Fon ALL STATEUEATS OF PACT Uni IPED TN TAD ORTO™
ape7ee
SOLIPEDS SAPAASNLOSE ESET SI us
«267th Trans Co (Terminal Svc)
iq & Hq Co, 331st Trans Ba (Trk)
*tiGth Teens Co (Terminal Sve)
Ha & Hq Deby h7lst Trans Bn (Terminal)
*66th Trans Co (Terminal Sve)
Sith Trans Co (Terminal Sve)
7534 Trans Bu (Ry Shop) ~
ps
a IvekeT
Location
Rensselaer, Ind
Anderson, Ind
Adrian, Mich
Fort Custer, Mich
Dearborn, Mich
Fort Custer, Mich
Indianapolis, Ind
* Ualt formerly assigned to "Units to Round Out the Active Army" force.
to ltr, AGAO-0 (mM) 322
) RES, 20 April. 1959 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARKY
Office of The Adjabant
Vashington
AGLOnT 322 Org Res (25 Nov 50) G34 15 December 1950
SUBS
nnebivation of Units of the Organised Reserves
1, The following units will be inactivated at the earliest practicable
‘Tlst Trans Radway Operating Ba
753d Trans Railway Shop Bn
2. Concurrently with inactivation
contro. of the Departnent of the Army.
the units ar
3. Upon inactivation of the waits, if the minimum standards set forth
in AR 140-305 can be met, training units will be orga
the plan ovtlined in OCA CiviLiin Co ponents Training Monorandum No. 6,
dated 10 October 1950, may be Accomplished and the affiliation agreements °
with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St, Paul and Pacific Railroad Co, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and the New York Central Railrond,Beech Grove, Indiana amended
accordingly.
hk, Records of the inactivated units will. be disposed of by shipment
to the Commanding Officer, Kansas City Reeords Center, 601 Hardesty ivenue,
Kensas City 1, Missouri, Attention: Field Records Division, in accordance
with provisions of SR 345-920-1, 15 March 1949, as amended,
5.
current
6 ipuent rendered excess will be disposed of in accordance with
current procedures.
rendered surplus will be disposed of in accordance with
7. Obligate funds to the extent necessary from Organized Reserve
allocations available to your headquarters,
8, When the actions directed herein have been accomplished, reports ~
indicating the dates and stations thereof will be submitted to this office,
Attention: AGAO-I; the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and the Chief of Army
Fiold Forces.
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:
ymy Ficld Forees
Assistant Chicf of staff,
G-3 (MO: T1-27/146)
The Quartcrmster General AGAGI (K) 822 Army Roe (16 Fel
SUBJEOT: Change in Status of U
Tor Conmanding Generals
First ary
Fifth Aray
1. References:
a, Letter, AGA0-I (i) 522 (21 Jan 55) G3, this office, 4 February
1953, subject: "administration ond Training of lilitary Railway Service
}) Units in the army Reserve."
%. SR 140-320-1, 11 Deceuber 1952,
c. Department of the aray message Da 392628, 29 January 1953,
2, In accordance with the provisions of reference la above, it is
feotrot tint the Cesean ins Sia aral endian ee wy action
to transfer the 758d Transportation Reilvay Shop Battalion, fro Indianapolis,
Indiana to wew York, Wew York,
a. Upon transfer, the unit is relieved froa assignment to Firth
Arsy and is assigned to First ary.
D, Tho status and authorized strength of the unit remains unchanged,
c. Tho Connanding General, Fifth Aray, will transfor records cf
individual reservists of the 753d Transportation Railway Shop Battalion, re
siding in Fifth Ary area to the Chief, New York Military District.
4, Upon completion of this transfer, the Co: General, First
Arny, will execute the acy affiliation agreenéat between the Dopartnent of
the arny and tho Hew York Central Syston for the spouscrship of subject unit
abor
in accordance with srovisions of reforenees 1b and SUBJECT: Activation of Unite of the ory
nized Reserves (Cont'd)
SECTION Ix
ral
55-235, 4 Oct h3 20 66 «(599
ork: a w/o 1,2,3
systen, Now York, Cir 230) DA, 49,
Hew York) ag anented
+ Personnel will be provided from sources available to you in accordance
© provisions of Section VI of Incloaure 3 to letter, Ueaiquarters, Arny
orees, 325/215 (6 Jun 46) GNCCT-11, 6 June 1945, subject, “Draining
aa, Acninistration of the Civilian Conponents", as amended
3. Equipnont will be requisitioned in accordance with the provisions of
Circular &1, War Departuent, 1947, as aucndod,
6. Obligate funds to tho extent nocessary from Organized Reserve allcca-
tions available to your headquarters.
7. When the action dircetod horein has teen accomplished, reports
indicating the dates and stations thorocf will be submitted to this office,
Attention: AGAO-I; the Director of Organization and Training, GSUSA,
Attention: Reserve Conponents Branch and the Chief, Arny Field Forces.
BY ORDER OF TIE SECRETARY OF TIE ARMY:
nal Status
Copies furnighed:
Chief, Arty Field Forces
Diroctora of
Organization and: Treining, GSUSA
(ke SN 1320)
nd adninistration, OSUSA
#istoricel Division, SSUSA
Quartermaster General (attention:
Heraldic Rranch) DEPARTGHT OF
he Adjutent General's Office
Washington 25, D. ¢,
8
ha
‘cbrusry 1949
Activation of Units of the Organized Resorves
Bo: Gousanding General
Second Arny
Letter, this office, ACio-I 322 Org
80 Decexbor 1948, subject as above, is
reforcnee to activation
Ros (26 Fov 48) oseo?.
ended by deleting all
tho following units:
BOsth ALA Operations Det
4854 MP Crininal Investigation
Det
tteries A ond B, 414th As
485th Ener Duy Ek Co
& Eq Det, 884th ved Gp
209th Ord Base Collecting &
ran sport Go
758d Transportation Ry Shop
Gun Bn
‘BY ORDER OF GE SECRETARY OF BL sma:
Copics furnished:
Chict, Army Fiola Forces
Dircators of
Organization and Training, ests
Porsonncl ond Adsinistration, GSUSS
chict, Fistorieal Div, ssusi
The Questeruestor Contra
(Attn: Heraldic Branch) C
AGAO-I 322 Org Res (26 .ov 48)0SCOT-¥ “30 December 1948
SULJECT: Activata:
n of Units of the Organized Reserve (Cont'd)
Section I
Nen-ffiliated Units (Cont'd)
Authorized Strength
Location «sESf TNO RB orf Ww
208th Ord Buse Cleveland, 9-377, 11 Oot 43 3 4 4
Depot Co Ohic w/C i, Cir 187, D/a,
1948, Cir 292, D/A,
1943 as anended
g09th T ertation Cincinnati C 55-500, 29 Sep 44 L eL °
Harbor Craft Co Ohio wfC 1,2,3,4, Colms
AG, AL,BB,3C,2HB,4HH,
6BI,SEK,21A,51G,
Cir 298, D/A, 1948,
ag anended
Section IT
Affiliated Unite
§30th Trans.ortation Pittsburgh, Bb 10-37, 11 aug 4h 4 * 1. Bs
Trk Co“(Bv) Pas Fa. Cir 292, D/A, 1948
Uotcr Trk Assn; Inc. as anended
369th Engr Power Pittsburgh, A 5-500T, 21 Jan 4501. 0 7
Plant Operating Det Pas Colm 1B
(Duquesne Light Co
435th Sixth aves)
977th Gi Petroleum Pittsburgh, A 10-500, 10 Jan 452 o 10
Products Lab Pas v/C 1, Colm FA
(Gulf Research & De~
velopinent, Cos, PO
Draver 203%)
3834 Gml Processing Cincinnati, A 3-77, tar 4b 5 0 135
Co {American Leun- Ohio wW/S 1,2
ary liuchinery Co. Ine)
id Tran: Grove, A 55-2 Oct 20 6
"3d Transyoreataon “beach PM $ eho, a
York Central System, D/a, 1948, as amended
Ner York, New York)
4, Personnel will be provided from sources available to you in accord-
ance with the provisions of Section VI of inclosure 3 to letter, Headquarters,
Army Ground Forces 326/215 (6 Jun 46) GNGCT-11, 6 June 1946, subject, Mrain=
ing and Administration of the Civilian Components",' as amended. :
54, Equipment wiil be requisitioned in/acccrdance’ vith the provisions’ of
Circular #1, “ar Department, 1947, as amended. .
64: Obli,
allocations «
te funds to the extent necessary from Organized Reserve
te your hesiquartersy
# Final Status DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington 25, D, 0.
org Res (9 Dec 48H
‘The Adjutant General
$ Decenber 1948
Redesignation and Allotment of Certain Inactive Units
Phe following units are redesignated as indicated and allotted to the
zed Reserves.
Present Designation
aL74th Engr Power Plant Operating Det
128th Onl Processing Co
#7538 Railway Shop 3n, 2.6.
95th Portable Surgical Hospital
108th Portable Surgical Hospital
86th Historical Toam, Infomation &
Historical Service
430th MP Patrol Det
431st WP Patrol Det
432d MP Patrol Det
483° MP Fatrol Det
24th QU Refrigerator Truck Platoon
2634 Onl Service Platoon
Hq & Hq Co, 29th Replacenent Depot
166th kA Oporations Dot
400th Engr Maint Co
Hq & Hy Det @lst Medical Group
BOOLst Ord Base Depot Co
#8350th TC Truck Co
#8351st TC Truck Co
264th Onl Sorvice Platoon
560th Onl Mortar Bn
3266th Ord Base Depot Co
ev Desiznat ion
369th Engr Power Plant Operating Det
3834 Gm) Processing Co
752d ‘Tronsportetion Railway Shop Bn.
919th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
920th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
SL7th Historical Tean
430th MP Criminal Investigation Det
43lst MP Criminal Investigation Det
4324 MP Criminal Investigation Det
4334 MP Criminal Investigation Det
637th QM Service Co
364th Cul Depot Co
Hig & Hq Go, 215th Replacenent Depot
304th AAA Operations Dot
4e6th Enzr Dunp Truck Co
Hg @ Iq Dot, 804th Medical Group
209th Ord Base Collecting & Transport Co
808th Transportation Base Depot Co
609th Transportation Harvor Craft Co
BB6th Cal Decontamination Co
467th Onl Mortar Bn
208th Ord Sasc Depot Co
2, the following units.are redesignated as indicated:
rosent De:
6lst Station Hospital
297th QM Funigetion & Bath Co
374th QM Hailhead Co
Now Des:
825th Station Hospital
207th QM Service Co
374th QM Service Co 266th Ob Drur
268th Q Drum Cl
169th an
284th
937th Gh
(Base)
4lith
380th
ining Plat
i %%. Ldry Dats (ticbile)
y Det (1000 bed Hosp)
Det, 424
y Shep Ba,
835th und 236th Sig Sv Eno
230th Engr Gen Sv Rest
173A ord
304th Ey
*40LAth
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USF, I
Theater
Burrs WAR DEPART
The Adjutant General's Office
inshington 25, D.
7 ebrunry 1046,
Service Forces
Seattle
tion.
end Sen Francisco Ports of Bubark
1, Inclosure 1 to Letter, this office, AG 322 (10 Oct 45) OB-I-SH:
15 October 1945, subject as above, as rmended, is ed by deleting
Pll reference to the inactivation of the 96th'Boub Squadron, Heowr; 5984 Air
Engineering Squagron ond 594th Air lintoriel Squadron.
2. Paragraph 1 of letter, this office, AG 522 (15 Fov 45) 03-I-SPNOTLN,
19 Yovenber 1945, sudjoct, "Innctivation of Certain Arny Air end Service
Foreas ype Units (Cntegory IV"),ns amended, is further amended by dclebing
fll reference to the inncbivebion of the GLSth Air Zngincering Squadron end
the 619th Air lintericl Squadron.
B. Inclosare 1 to letter, this office, AG 322 (29 Dec 45) OB-I-SPHOU-H,
5 Jomunry 1946, subject, "Inactivation of Certain Army Ground and Service Forces .
Type Units (Gatogory IV)",is mnonded by deleting all roforonce to the inactivay
tion of the following units:
Copies furnished, Mf Coheneage — c :
Comnending Generals, tgnt Generel. 3
army Air Forces a
Aray Ground Forces c/
Army Scrvice Forces ~/
Chiefs of Tochnicel Services
Office, Chief of Ordnance, Union Guardian
Building, Detroit 32, Michigen
Chief of Trtnevortation (Attniovesents Division,
Zoturaing Troops Brench.)
Divisions of the Wor Dopertmont Gonorel Steff
Chick, Hotionel Cunrd Bureau, VDSS
RESTRICTED : { . C
SS wv HE
LIST oF UNITS
5 and Hondquarters Battery, 76th, 208th Antisireraft Artillery
‘73ith, W8th antiaircraft artillery Gun Battal:
3a, 5034, slaty
bile) (typo 45
369th intivireraft artillery Gan Battalica (Somi-febile) (Type 8)
Aojth, L6th, 620th, “Tis intavireraft “rtallery yubomatle Vexpens
sttalions (Somi—i-bile)
7th “nbinireratt \rtallery Soarehlight Battalion (Iype B)
ch, 225th, 76th Field artillery Battelims (irterized) (155 an Kowitecr
Tractor Det
sa0eh Field Actsldory Battclion (Untertzod) (8 Anch Yoct teen Teacher Bram}
Biath Hola hetiliery seteclicn Uleterized) (240 ma Hewitacr Tenetar Deamm
2etth Field artillery Obsorvetion Sabtalicn
La67th, 1275th Engincor Combat Bxttalicns
Louth’ thginosr Goncrnl. Service Regiment
2ootn, GOTH, 1339th, 1394th Engincer Construction Brbtelicns
{iitn, 6920 Engineer Spooiwl Shep Eatteliens
80tn Gheniecl Mortar Bebtalicn
1934 Tonic Botte
726th snpatbian Tacter Battalion
‘Tibia inphibien Tank Bebtalicn
608th Military Police Battalion
6ath Signal Battalion
Beadguertors and Hondquarters Company, ‘775th Railmy Grand Division,
‘Transportation Corps
qusth RaLlnay Operating Battalica, Transportation Corps
759A Redlmy Shep Enttslinn, Transportation Corp
19
93d Infantry Division:
Hoadquartors, 93d Infantry Division
Headquarters Special Trocps, 934 Infantry Divisien (includes attached
Medical and Chaplain)
Hondquarters Company, 934 Infantry Division :
‘ilitary Police Platocn, 93d Infantry Divisicn |
934 Sijmal-Conpony 7 |
934 Cuartermater “Company
_7934 Ordnance 44ght Haintenance Cenpany
934 Infontry Divisitn Band
25th Infsntry Reginent
© 368th Infantry Reginent
369th Infantry Teginent
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 934 Divi
Medical Detachment, 93d Divisin irtillory |
5934 Bo ‘rtillery Battalion (terized) (105 nm Howitzor, Tracter
Bream’
Page 1, Incl 1. RESTRICTED s08/aa
WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington
as 324.73 December 11, 1942.
oB-I
SUBJECT: Organization History.
Chief, Historical Section,
Arny War College.
1. Report is made of the
redesignation of the 82 msnosy Basle —
the 7534 Ratlee; on, 7G. per 25-42)
eee eet December 1, ne Te pee ggineer Battulion (feilvay Shop) _
was constituted as on inactive Reyular ray unit oy cate eet avatar tos the THEFT Service
Comand, effective July 1, 1985, per AG 520.2 (11-80-82), dated Decexber 17, 19355
redesignated the 755d ingineer fuattalion and allotted to the Fifth Service Comand
Por £6 320.2 (2-d-41) ui (liet) HC, dated February 21, 1941; ordered into active
military service at Gucyrus, Ohio and attached to the Second Army per AO 320,
(5-2-42) BRC, dated Merch 19, 1942, activated Apet, 15, 1942 per Machine Record
card , dated May 15, 19dz,
2, Tt 4s desired that any additional historical date be trans-
mitted direct to The Quartermaster General at the earliest practicable
date, and a copy of action taken be furnished thie office.
By order of the Secretary of War:
Adjutant General.
Copy furnished:
‘The Quartermaster General. oan
__ Buy 6th War Loan Bonds onN.Y.C. NV.C. Rail Battalion Operating
Payroll Plan;Need is Still Vital UP to Front Lines in France and
— ls Frequently Under Heavy Fire
NY. Central Sends Xonas gronennt
