497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company Pictorial







History . . .

  The 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company had its start in a discussion between Ralph G. Dunn, Assistant Service Manager, Caterpillar Tractor Co., and Lt. Col. Rodney Smith of the U.S. Engineers on July 7, 1942.
  A letter from Col. Smith a few days later expressed the hope that "Caterpillar" would undertake the formation of such a heavy shop company and Vice President D. A. Robison immediately assured him that this would be done.
  Approval on the printing and distribution of printed material was obtained from Washington and these booklets and forms were distributed among all employees. Applications began rolling in, and by the middle of September enrollment was about completed. It was even necessary to turn down some of these courageous men who applied for an opportunity to serve.
  On September 20, a picnic, sponsored by Caterpillar Tractor Co., was held at Mossville for all members, their relatives and friends. Food and refreshments were served and music was furnished by the "Caterpillar" Orchestra and Glee Club. Four hundred and fifty people attended this enjoyable get-together.
  Enlistments were closed on September 28, 194 men being enrolled by this time. Of these, three were officers and the balance were enlisted men.
  Activation took place on October 1, in Peoria, and was an impressive ceremony. At 11:30 a.m. roll was called by Lt. Homer Caldwell, Jr., in front of the Show Room at the factory. At 12:50 p.m. the men were assembled on the steps of the Court House on the southeast side. The program was short but colorful. Impressive speeches were made by Col. M. M. Dawson of Washington, D.C., L. B. Neumiller, President of caterpillar Tractor Co., and Maj. Spainhower of the Peoria Induction Center. Music was furnished by the "Caterpillar" Band which shortly before 1:30 p.m. led the entire group in a parade down Adams Street to Liberty, down Liberty to the awaiting train which left at 2:00 p.m. for Scott Field.
  Here the men were processed, given tests and outfitted and were then immediately sent to Camp Claiborne for four weeks of basic training. This training included drill, marching, exercise, rifle marksmanship and all other duties which are part of each soldier's initial training.
  Indicative of the better-than-average type of men who make up the 497th are these accomplishments which are already theirs. First of all, their tests at Scott Field showed them to have a much higher than average intelligence quotient. In their rifle marksmanship qualifying tests, 91.2% of their total strength qualified as marksmen. And, finally, they were rated the best drill company of the best drill battalion in a special parade at Camp Claiborne before Under-Secretary of War Patterson.
  After completing their four weeks of basic training, they were given several weeks of regular training and heavy shop work and, toward the end of November, received notice that the company had been alerted. The men and all their equipment were ordered held ready for shipping instructions on short notice.
  Where they are headed geographically we do not know. We do know they are headed for success for they are an exceptional group of men, commanded by an exceptional group of officers, all of them American men with their hearts set on Victory.






To these Gallant men . . .
Members of the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company . . .

CAPT. JEAN WALKER
1ST LT. WARREN W. WOODWARD
2ND LT. EDWIN J. ANDELL
1/SGT. CLYDE C. CHENOWETH
T/SGT. LAWRENCE LONGDEN
S/SGT. ESTEL L. KERN
S/SGT. RICHARD D. SCHLEICH
S/SGT. FLOYD T. SCHUTTE
S/SGT. MERLE E. SEATON
S/SGT. GEORGE W. SKINNER
SGT. GEORGE E. BAUERNFEIND
SGT RICHARD C. HARDIN
T/4 RENE L. BARRATH
T/4 HENRY E. BRICKNER
T/4 MYRON W. CALDWELL
T/4 MELVIN R. CONLON
T/4 WALTER E. LEACH
T/4 PERRY D. MARTIN
T/4 DANIEL PASCHON
T/4 PAUL J. STEVIG
T/4 KENNETH R. WEGNER
T/5 RALPH R. BLACKARD
T/5 VERNICE I. BYFORD
T/5 RAYMOND R. FARNSWORTH
T/5 HENRY J. GSCHWEND
T/5 WILLIAM H. HARRISON
T/5 LOUIS J. KOLL
T/5 WORTHY B. KRANZ
T/5 STEVE LACANSKI
T/5 ELMER O. LAW
T/5 JOHN R. MITCHELL
T/5 FRANK MOLEK
T/5 WENTWORTH MOODY
T/5 LESTER O. PUTNAM
T/5 EARL W. REED
T/5 CHARLES S. SCARCLIFF
T/5 JULIUS P. SCHAUB
T/5 JOSEPH W. STORMER
T/5 DALE B. TOWNE
T/5 MAURICE WILLIAMSON
T/5 WOODROW WILSON
T/5 RICHARD J. WYNN
PFC. FRANKLIN B. AMSBERRY
PFC. LEE D. ARY
PFC. RUSSELL F. BAHR
PFC. JAMES R. BARRETT
PFC. RUDOLPH B. BENTZ
PFC. HENRY N. BERGMAN
PFC. CARL E. BOLTON
PFC. CLAIR C. BRIGHAM
PFC. PHILLIP B. BROWN
PFC. BURREL R. BUCHANAN
PFC. JOHN F. BUCKLEY
PFC. ROBERT CUNNINGHAM
PFC. ROBERT DAVIDSON
PFC. EARL E. FLAMBERS
PFC. DALTON E. FLEENER
PFC. JOSEPH D. GAFFNEY
PFC. HAROLD E. GETZ
PFC. ROBERT J. GETZ
PFC. HOWARD D. HINES
PFC. FRANK HOLZKNECHT
PFC. CHARLES G. HUDSON
PFC. WILBERT H. JOHNS
PFC. DALTON D. JONES
PFC. CHARLES F. LENZ
PFC. WILLIAM A. MADISON
PFC. HOWARD P. MAHRT
PFC. ALFRED F. MAZZINI
PFC. PERCY D. McCOMB
PFC. HAROLD G. McGOVERN
PFC. STEVE MILOSEVICH
PFC. OSCAR B. OAKES
PFC. GERALD D. PALMER
PFC. EMERSON R. RAPP
PFC. ROBERT P. ROBINS
PFC. CLIFFORD L. ROBINSON
PFC. HAROLD D. SEXTON
PFC. CLIFFORD W. STARR
PFC. RUSSELL T. STEPHENS
PFC. GEORGE A. STEVENSON
PFC. EDWARD E. STOVER
PFC. RUDOLPH F. USNIK
PFC. THEODORE J. WEISBRUCH
PFC. HUBERT L. WOODS
PFC. BENJAMIN J. WYSS
PVT. ERVEN G. ABEL
PVT. AARON E. ALFORD
PVT. ALBERT E. ARNOLD
PVT. MATTHEW BAER
PVT. WILLIAM J. BARTELMAY
PVT. WALTER D. BEARD
PVT. HARVEY M. BENNETT
PVT. ROBERT S. BERGER
PVT. DEWEY L. BERNIUS
PVT. KENNETH B. BERTHOLD
PVT. WILLIAM F. BEST
PVT. CLARENCE J. BRUMLEVE
PVT. JESSE L. BRUNS
PVT. JAMES B. CALLAHAN
PVT. LAVERN Z. CAMP
PVT. MAURICE A. CHENOWETH
PVT. PAUL B. COKER
PVT. OSCAR E. CRIQUE
PVT. JOHN M. CROWE
PVT. RALPH DAVIS
PVT. SAMUEL R. DePEUGH
PVT. JOHN P. DOOLAN
PVT. WILLIAM J. DRAKE
PVT. CHARLES E. DRURY
PVT. WALTER E. DUTCHER
PVT. EUGENE C. EDMINSTER
PVT. ROBERT D. EVERETT
PVT. JIMMY F. EVERSOLE
PVT. WALLACE W. FAVORITE
PVT. RALPH A. FOLKERTS
PVT. DONALD V. GAEDE
PVT. JAMES D. GESKEY
PVT. CARL W. GRAHAM
PVT. ROBERT P. GRAHAM
PVT. RUSSELL R. GRAZE
PVT. EDWARD D. GRIER
PVT. CARL A. HALBERG
PVT. EARL A. HANELY
PVT. FRED H. HANK
PVT. HAROLD L. HARLESS
PVT. ARTHUR R. HAW
PVT. DONALD L. HAYES
PVT. ETHAN A. HELLER
PVT. LLOYD E. HENDRICKS
PVT. JOSEPH A. HICKMAN
PVT. KENNETH E. HILL
PVT. MILTON D. JOHNSON
PVT. ALBERT L. JONES
PVT. ROBERT G. JOST
PVT. ROBERT A. KELLER
PVT. JOHN M. KINNEY
PVT. JOHN B. KNEER
PVT. WILLIAM J. LANE
PVT. ERNEST C. LAURER
PVT. HENRY R. LAUTENBERGER
PVT. LAWRENCE E. LINDER
PVT. JOHN J. MAHER
PVT. ROBERT S. MARSHALL
PVT. SAMUEL MATHIAS
PVT. DONALD K. McCARTY
PVT. WILLIAM L. McCONNELL
PVT. JACOB O. MENOLD
PVT. JOHN T. MONSER
PVT. MARION E. MYERS
PVT. HOWARD G. NEBLOCK
PVT. CLOYED L. NEELEY
PVT. RALPH R. NORTHRUP
PVT. MYRLE ORMAN
PVT. FRANCIS A. ORR
PVT. GREGORY A. OWENS
PVT. ROBERT L. PIERSON
PVT. EUGENE A. PIQUARD
PVT. VAN DWIGHT POE
PVT. CARL W. PRIBBLE
PVT. WILLARD C. PUTNAM
PVT. JAMES A. RAYBURN
PVT. SAMUEL F. RAYMER
PVT. CARROLL F. REESE
PVT. FRANK RENFRO
PVT. JAMES A. RIEDER
PVT. BERNARD F. RING
PVT. CLYDE A. ROBINS
PVT. FRANCIS J. ROHMAN
PVT. JOHN C. SCANLON
PVT. ERNEST A. SCHAIDLE
PVT. CARL R. SCHLATTER
PVT. JOHN S. SHERMAN
PVT. CLARENCE O. SLOTER
PVT. HOWARD L. SMITH
PVT. MENDOULOUS P. SMITH
PVT. FREDERICK H. STAIRWALT
PVT. BRUCE O. STROMAN
PVT. ROBERT W. STRUEBING
PVT. RAYMOND W. TENNANT
PVT. STANLEY M. THURM
PVT. CHARLES A. TIMMONS
PVT. DONALD E. TRUNK
PVT. MONROE M. VERGON
PVT. WAYNE W. WADDELL
PVT. RUSSELL E. WEGNER
PVT. LEO E. WALKER
PVT. ROBERT J. WALKER
PVT. JACK D. WALL
PVT. CLEATUS S. WASCHER
PVT. ROBERT W. WEAST
PVT. TERENCE J. WHITTSITT
PVT. RAYMOND J. WILKEY
PVT. BENNIE B. WILSON
PVT. RUSSELL A. WOLLAND
PVT. CLARENCE A. YONAKA









“ Men of the 497th Engineer
    Heavy Shop Company . . .

  Today you are setting forth on a journey of great importance. You do not know your destination. You do not know how long you will be gone. But you do know that it is your high purpose to serve your country in this time of its greatest need. And you do know - and I know - that you will steadfastly devote yourselves to that purpose until Victory is won.
  As spokesman for Caterpillar Tractor Co., and all of its 16,000 men and women and on behalf of all the people of Peoria and Central Illinois, I want to express tremendous admiration and respect for the fine thing you have done in volunteering for this service. Most of you have been "Caterpillar" employees and realize that by working in a plant devoted 100 per cent to the production of war material, you have been serving your country well. But when the Corps of Engineers explained its vital need for a group of specially skilled men, you eagerly seized the opportunity to serve in the manner in which - because of your training and experience and ability - you can make the greatest personal contribution to winning the war.
  Your selection as a member of the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company is a distinction of which you may well be proud. The standards set were exceedingly high - not only the standards set by the Corps of Engineers but also the standards set by those executives of "Caterpillar" who shared the responsibility of considering applications. We wanted this to be a group of which all "Caterpillar" could be proud - and we are proud - proud of each and every one of you.
  At the same time, a tribute should be paid also to the hundreds of other men who volunteered for this Company but who - through no fault of their own, and for various reasons - could not be accepted. In volunteering, however, they were moved by the same patriotic motives as were those who are today on their way.
  You are to be congratulated on having as your leader Captain Jean Walker. Captain Walker is a Peoria boy. Most of his adult years have been spent with "Caterpillar." For quite a number of years past, he has been assigned to duties in foreign lands - thousands of miles from the factory - hundreds of miles, sometimes, from a shop or a settlement or any of his countrymen. He has developed and demonstrated qualities of courage, dependability, initiative and resourcefulness that splendidly qualify him for the place he now occupies.
  It would not be right, on this occasion, to omit mention of the courage of the wives and children and the fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters - and sweethearts, too - who are bravely sending their men away to the fighting fronts. They too are making sacrifices - great sacrifices - and we honor them for their courage and patriotism.

Speech by L. B. Neumiller,
President, Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Activation Ceremonies, October 1, 1942, Peoria, Ill.






“ fellow Americans . . .

  You are here today exemplifying the true spirit of American Democracy. This gathering is a real example of the kind of cooperation that all Americans can and must give in order to win this war.
  Most of you know that the Corps of Engineers is responsible for the building of roads, bridges and airfields; in fact, anything that must be done to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment is the responsibility of the Engineers. In order to accomplish these tasks, huge quantities of machine equipment are necessary. You people in Peoria have been doing your share to furnish many of these machines.
  In order to keep the machines rolling, we need mechanics; men who are specialized in the various phases of maintenance and repair of construction equipment. Experience has taught us that we cannot train good mechanics overnight, neither can we go out and pick them at random.
  Letters were sent from the Office of the Chief of Engineers to several manufacturers who were supplying the Corps of Engineers with large quantities of equipment requesting them to cooperate with the Armed Forces by sponsoring an Engineer organization to the extent of procuring skilled manpower for such organizations. The "Caterpillar" Company, which some of you may have heard about, was the first of the equipment manufacturers to respond to the call. They accepted the responsibility of sponsoring an Engineer Heavy Shop Company, agreeing to recruit the personnel from among you men who were already hard at work building machines, knowing full well that every trained mechanic, and other employee would have to be replaced by someone less experienced, thereby jeopardizing the chances of keeping up with production schedules.
  Then came the call for recruits; no one but yourselves will know what it meant to make the decision to sign up with this organization. You men are leaving a good job, and an important one, to take on a job that is even more important. You parents, wives, children and sweethearts are encouraging these men to perform the jobs they can do best where they are most needed, and are to be congratulated on your spirit and loyalty.
  One of the comforting facts about serving with the 497th is that you men will be in familiar surroundings no matter where your assignment may be. Remember, our machines are your machines; you just won't be able to get away from "Caterpillar" equipment. In fact, when you pull down a "Cat" for an overhaul job, you may even recognize the part on which you skinned your knuckles when you were on the assembly line.
  On behalf of the Chief of Engineers, I wish to express our appreciation to the "Caterpillar" officials for the speedy and efficient manner in which the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company was formed; to the men who have enlisted in this organization; to the families who are left behind; to each and every one for your spirit of cooperation and your loyalty to our country. It is this spirit that will not only "keep 'em rolling" but pushing and hauling as well.
  Officers and men of the 497th Engineers, I salute you.
Speech by Col. M. M. Dawson,
Washington, D.C.

Activation Ceremonies, October 1, 1942, Peoria, Ill.







 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Picnic at Mossville, September 20, 1942  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Induction ceremonies at Court House Square, October 1, 1942  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Mustered for the first time - roll call in front of the "Caterpillar" Show Room.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Master of Ceremonies Paul Smith introduces Capt. Jean Walker  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Friends and relatives crowd the Court House lawn  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Men of the 497th march together for the first time down Liberty Street  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The Company entrains for Scott Field for processing  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Seated: Lt. Joseph E. Geren, Capt. Jean Walker, R. G. Dunn.  
  Standing: Lt. Warren W. Woodward, Lt. Edwin Andell.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Commanding Officers Woodward, Walker and Andell.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Capt. Walker and a detail of men at gas mask drill.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The 497th in "fatigues" - on the Company street.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Setting up exercises to limber up for the real day's work.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Rifle inspection on the last day of basic training.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Commanding officers of the 497th - Lt. Woodward, Capt. Walker and Lt. Andell.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The officers on tent inspection.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Sgt. Chenoweth, Pvt. Folkerts, and Tech 4th Gr. Paschon in the supply tent.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  On the Firing Line, at the Rifle Range.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  At the Rifle Range . . .  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  . . . on the Firing Line . . .  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  . . . and in the Pits.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  On the Anti-Aircraft Rifle Range.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  A moment of relaxation with the Company mascot.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  "Reporting for pay, Sir."  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The Company waits for the call to supper.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Well, somebody must cut wood for the ranges.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Hungry men line up at the mess hall.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  One end of the mess hall at Camp Claiborne.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Open-air class in anti-tank tactics.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  On the march over Louisiana hills.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Air attack!  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Simulated air attack.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The 497th in "khakis" - at Camp Claiborne.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  More rifle inspection.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  More rifle inspection.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  More rifle inspection.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  A big job every day - cleaning rifles.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Leaping a stream on field maneuvers.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Practice going under barbed wire - and in a pouring rain.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Another air attack.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  The end of a long hard day in the field.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  At the end of the day - Pfc. Howard Hines, Pvt. James B. Callahan,  
  Pfc. Steve Milosevich, Sgt. George E. Bauernfeind, Pvt. Maurice A.  
  Chenoweth, Tech 5th Gr. Dale B. Towne.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  A truckload of men leave for church.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  Always welcome - News and Views.  





 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

  A harmonious trio - Pvts. Hill, Gaede and Bruns.  




 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company

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