This "Pictorial Record" was a souvenir edition of the Caterpillar Tractor Company publication, "News and Views," from January of 1943.   It is a record of the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company from formation to training.   The original has been adapted for the internet which allows easier reading and searching.

  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. C. 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 it 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 a 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.

  The Ledo Road was built to circumvent a portion of the Burma Road that had been captured by the Japanese. The Ledo Road circled around the captured section and hooked up again with the Burma Road, an artery to battle lines for American and Chinese forces and supplies.

  According to a 1944 Caterpillar publication, News and Views, Army engineering experts called the work on the Ledo Road, "the greatest engineering achievement since the building of the Panama Canal."