The Lincoln Highway
National Museum & Archives
102 Old Lincoln Way West
Galion, Ohio 44833

(202) 536-5329

1947--The Freedom Train--1949
"Freedom is EVERYBODY'S Job"


Freedom Train
Honor Guard
 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
United States Marine Corps
Special Detachment		 Freedom Train
Honor Guard








Alexandria, VA - September 9, 1947
A member of the Marine Detachment of the Freedom Train
looking through the window of engine cab.





Company
Roster
 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
United States Marine Corps Detachment
 Company
Roster
# NAME RANK SER # DUTY HOMETOWN DOB CURRENT/PASSED FRP AGE INFO
1 Robert F. Scott Lt. Colonel 05418 Command Officer Blacksberg, SC 07-15-15 July 28, 1979 OC 64 Click
2 Ernest E. Schott Major 08168 Executive Officer La Grange, TX 00-00-00 Jan 12, 1965 ?? 45 Click
3 John Skorich Captain 018542 Jr. Exec Officer Marble, MN 01-14-18 Nov 5, 1959 FRNC 42 Click
4 Orlin A.P. Hughes* 1st Liet. 039594 Jr. Exec Officer Denver, CO 09-19-17 Dec 27, 2003 ?? 86 Click
5 Clarence A. McDaniel Master Sgt. 312517 First Sergeant Union City, TN 05-04-23 Jan 11, 2002 ?? 78 Click
6 Francis J. Schauf Tech Sgt. 258170 Gunny Sergeant Menononie, WS 00-00-00 Aug 24, 1962 CC 41 Click
7 Benjamin C. Belvin Jr. Staff Sgt. 440618 Company Clerk Vandling, PA 02-28-24 Dec 21, 2002 RNC 78 Click
8 Dewey Flanagan Staff Sgt. ?? Shift Sergeant ??, MS 02-05-22 April 30, 1998 MPC 76 Click
9 John Klenotiz Jr. Staff Sgt. 340234 Shift Sergeant Binghamton, NY 09-29-23 Jan 6, 1993 ?? 69 Click
10 William J. Kuhn Jr. Staff Sgt. 347136 Shift Sergeant Newark, NJ 00-00-00 April 4, 1992 NBNC 71 Click
11 Herman M. Appling Sergeant 312304 Guard Benton, AR 08-08-22 Aug 5, 2006 SLRM 83 Click
12 John A. Brown Sergeant 567370 Guard Miami, FL 00-00-00 Wilton, CA Crm 81 Click
13 Rusty A. Bruland Sergeant 345910 Guard Albion, NB 00-00-00 March 12, 1985 SMG 62 Click
14 Paul Butch Sergeant 571170 Guard Vandergrift, PA 04-08-27 Oct 13, 1996 GMP 69 Click
15 John C. Carroll Sergeant 519697 Photographer Chicago, IL 04-23-25 Dec 1, 1992 SMAA 67 Click
16 John H. Cobb Sergeant 545406 Guard Greenwood, SC 00-00-00 Williamsburg, VA *** 81 Click
17 Pat Delaney Sergeant ?? Guard ?? 00-00-00 ?? ?? ?? Click
18 Charles H. Dobbs Sergeant 1008601 Guard Beaumont, TX 12-26-26 Dec  22, 2003 GLMP 76 Click
19 Charles W. Doganas* Sergeant 967032 Guard Reading, PA 00-00-00 May 2, 2003 ?? ? Click
20 Wilbert F. Eckenrod Sergeant ?? Guard Freensburg, PA 00-00-00 April 27, 2008 FRNC 79 Click
21 Richard Heitman Sergeant 578831 Guard Spokane, WA 00-00-00 Colo Springs, CO *** 78 Click
22 Jesse R. Leonard Sergeant ?? Guard Mobeetie, TX 03-18-27 Sept 9, 2004 ?? 77 Click
23 James McCullough Sergeant 572561 Guard Memphis, TN 04-24-27 Feb 27, 1997 MP 69 Click
24 James N. McCredie Sergeant 565872 Guard Detroit, MI 00-00-00 Banning,CA *** 81 Click
25 Ferdinando L. Pacini Sergeant ?? Photographer Redwood City, CA 10-15-26 Phelan, CA ***
 84 Click
26 John Robertson Sergeant ?? Guard ??, NY 00-00-00 Passed-1949 ?? ?? Click
27

Kenneth M. Robinson

 Sergeant 606280 Guard Denver, CO 00-00-23 Oct 12, 1983 ?? 55 Click
28 Earl W. Rudolph Sergeant 494081 Guard St Louis, MO 00-00-23 Nov 29, 1977 LH 50 Click
29 Henry W. Steadman Sergeant 571562 Guard Charleston, MS 00-00-00 Gulf Breeze, FL *** 81 Click
30 Theodore P. Tintor Sergeant 619449 Guard Massillon, OH 09-08-28 April 27, 2008 FRNC 79 Click
31 David O. Watson Sergeant 586610 Guard Moshannon, PA 00-00-00 Prattville, AL *** 81 Click
32 Arvil D. Williams Sergeant ?? Guard Beaumont, TX 08-02-22 Feb 11, 1985 HNC 62 Click
33 George H. Wood Jr. Sergeant 570034 Guard Anniston, AL 06-14-27 March 5, 2000 LLMP 72 Click
34 John R. Alexander Corporal 530083 Guard New Phil.., OH 00-00-00 New Phil.., OH *** 83 Click
35 George D. Craig Corporal 579533 Guard Camden, NJ 00-00-27 Dec 5, 1996 ?? 69 Click
36 William S. Gerichten* Corporal 613176 Guard Philadelphia, PA 00-00-00 Kernersville, NC *** 80 Click
37 William E. Griffith Corporal 662239 Guard ??, ?? 00-00-00 Sept 17, 1984 ?? ?? Click
38 Charles J. Jackson* Corporal 429960 Guard ??, ?? 00-00-00 April 23, 1977 ?? 54 Click
39 Eddie McCaleb Corporal ?? Guard Biloxi, MS 00-00-00 Sept 9, 1997 ?? 72 Click
40 Frank J. Motto* Corporal 532320 Guard ??, ?? 07-21-23 Aug 11, 1992 RNC 69 Click
41 Milt Offenbach Corporal ?? Guard Olean, NY 06-11-22 Nov 22, 1973 ?? 51 Click
42 Elmer W. Pirrmann* Corporal 583048 Guard Cincinnati, OH 00-00-00 May 24, 2008 ?? 79 Click
43 William C. Scallen* Corporal 626772 Guard ??, ?? 11-12-27 Dec 8, 1969 ?? 42 Click
44 Henry J. Sperling* Corporal 591915 Guard New York, NY 00-00-00 April 22, 1981 ?? 53 Click
45 Houston O. Tate Jr. Corporal 809593 Guard Huntsville, AL 04-29-24 Aug 23, 1976 ?? 52 Click
46 William R. Weber Corporal 366477 Guard Monnett, MO 03-01-26 Sept 21, 1998 ?? 72 Click
47 Albert Poliak Chief-USN 2504751 Dispensary Monaca. PA 01-19-18 June 3, 1993 ANC 75 Click
48 James Hodgins ?? ?? Guard ??, ?? 00-00-00 ?? ?? ?? Click
- - - - - - - - - - -
49 Richard Beard ALCO N/A Electrical Eng ??, ?? 00-00-00 Fort Wayne, IN *** ?? Click
- - - - - - - - - - -
50 Delmar F. Robb NARA N/A Archivist Flagler, CO 00-00-22 Sept 28, 2008 ?? 86 Click
- - - - - - - - - - -
51 Walter H. S. O'Brien AHF N/A Train Manager Hutchinson, KS 00-00-00 Feb 6, 1964 ?? 69 Click
Bold Indicates Still Living * Indicates Came On As Replacement For Last Part Of Tour.

Flag Raising
February 23, 1945		 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
Iwo Jima Flag and Ira Hayes
"Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."		 Flag Raising
February 23, 1945



On February 23, 1945
five US Marines scaled
the heights of Mt. Suribachi
and planted the American Flag.
They were:
Sgt. Michael Strank,
Cpl. Harlon H. Block,
Pfc. Franklin R. Sousley,
Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon,
Pfc. Ira Hayes,
and
PhM. 2/c John H. Bradley, USN

Phoenix, AZ - February 20, 1948
Ira Hayes, 1 or 2 surviving Marines
who raised flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima,
visits exhibitand view the Iwo Jima flag on display.
Standing with Hayes is Corporal Earl W. Rudolph, USMC,
1 of the Marine Guards aboard Freedom Train

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 405500



On February 23, 1945
five US Marines scaled
the heights of Mt. Suribachi
and planted the American Flag.
They were:
Sgt. Michael Strank,
Cpl. Harlon H. Block,
Pfc. Franklin R. Sousley,
Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon,
Pfc. Ira Hayes,
and
PhM. 2/c John H. Bradley, USN
Company
Photos
 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
United States Marine Corps Detachment
 Company
Photos
"Forward...Charge" "Here Comes the Freedom Train..."

Schedectady, NY - September 5, 1947
US Marine leads the "Charge" to christen
the Freedom Train - "The Spirit of 76".

(American Locomotive Company Photo)

Dedicating The Freedom Train Locomotive...
Scrapbook

Schedectady, NY - September 5, 1947
The Freedom Train follows the Marine "Charge"
to be christened - "The Spirit of 76".

(American Locomotive Company Photo)

Dedicating The Freedom Train Locomotive...
Scrapbook
"I Christen Thee..." "Ready...Take Charge!!"

Schedectady, NY - September 5, 1947
US Marine Guards stand Guard
at Freedom Train christening.
***
***
***
***

(American Heritage Foundation Photo)

RG-200-AHF-01-21

Alexandria, VA - September 9, 1947
Attorney General Tom Clarke,
Marine Corp Commandant General A. A. Vandergriff,
and Thomas d'Arcy Brophy President,
The American Heritage Foundation
review Honor Guard during ceremony
as Marines assume duties aboard Freedom Train.

(American Heritage Foundation Photo)

RG-200-AHF-01-14
"Attention" "Dress Right, Dress"

Alexandria, VA - September 9, 1947
Marine Detachment of the Freedom Train
***
***
***
***
***

(USMC Photo By Corporal W. T. Tittle)

Hdqtrs. No. 305380

Alexandria, VA - September 9, 1947
The 28-man Marine Detachment of the Freedom Train
execute the Command, "Dress Right, Dress", as they prepare
for an inspection by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The red, white and blue Freedom Train can be seen
in the background. Appropriately, the engine for the train
has been christened "Spirit of 1776".

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 305391
"Forward March" "Parade Rest"

Alexandria, VA - September 9, 1947
Marine Detachment of the Freedom Train.

(USMC Photo By Corporal W. T. Tittle)

Hdqtrs. No. 305379

Los Angeles, CA - February, 1948
Seventh Marines "Honor Guard" at Freedom Train.

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 407077
Reviewing Orders of the Day Making Out the Guard Roster

New York City- September 24, 1947
Marine Officers aboard the Freedom Train
are L to R: Captain John Skorich, USMC of Marble, MN,
Major Ernest E. Schott, USMC of LaGrange, TX and
Lt Colonel Robert F. Scott, USMC of Blacksburg, SC

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 306270

Sgt Benjamin C. Belvin, Jr., Vandling, PA,
Company Clerk aboard "The Freedom Train"
is shown in the train office of the
Freedom Train making out the Guard Roster.
***

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 406850
"Attention!!" Spit and Polish

Tech Sargent Francis Schauf
and Staff Sargent Dewy Flanagan
on duty at the Freedom Train.

(American Heritage Foundation Photo)

RG-200-AHF-01-12

Marine Quarters
Marines off duty.
***

(Metropolitan Photo Service-"Red" Heppner, Photographer)

RG-200-AHF-01-07
Just in Case A Little R & R

Freedom Train Dispensary
Chief Mate Albert Poliak

(Metropolitan Photo Service-"Red" Heppner, Photographer)

RG-200-AHF-01-08

Marines off duty
in Freedom Train Club Car

(American Heritage Foundation Photo)

RG-200-AHF-01-09
Flags of Freedom Flags of Freedom

Little Rock, AR
Informal shot of Personnel of Freedom Train Guard.
L to R: Sgt John A. Brown, Lt Col. R. F. Scott, Sgt H. A. Appling

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 406511

Corporal J. W. McCullough,
Member of the Freedom Trains guard detachment.
***
***

(U.S. Marine Corps Photo)

Hdqtrs. No. 407080
Commendation
Ceremony		 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
United States Marine Corps Detachment
 Commendation
Ceremony
The Press Release Personnel Receiving Commendation

Washington, DC - January 31, 1949
Marine Detachment Commended
by Heritage Foundation at End
of 16-Months Freedom Train Trek

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Washington, DC - January 31, 1949
Roster of Personnel of Marine Detachment
The Freedom Train"
Receiving Commendation from AHF.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)
The Ceremony "Congratulations!!"

Washington, DC - January 16, 1949
Commendation ceremony for achievement efforts,
and good work in the recent national tour of
the Freedom Train at which Assistant Director,
Mr. Brennan Bryne, presented the citation to Lt. Colonel
Robert T. Scott, who accepted in behalf of himself and
the other members of the Freedom Train Marine Detachment.
After the Commendation was presented, Major General
O.P. Smith spoke a few words of congratulation and
appreciation for the good work done by the Marine Detachment,
and thanked the American Heritage Foundation for the honor
given the Marine Corps.

(USMC Photo By Staff Sgt. B. A. Emerson)

Hdqtrs. No. 309951

Washington, DC - January 16, 1949
Commendation ceremony for achievement, efforts,
and good work in the recent national tour of
the Freedom Train at which Assistant Director,
Mr. Brennan Bryne, presented the citation to Lt. Colonel
Robert T. Scott, who accepted in behalf of himself and
the other members of the Freedom Train Marine Detachment.
Here Major General O.P. Smith and Major Scott
congratulates with a handshake and a hearty
"well done" each member of the Detachment.
***
***

(USMC Photo By Staff Sg.t B. A. Emerson)

Hdqtrs. No. 309952
In the News
 1947--The Freedom Train--1949
United States Marine Corps Detachment
 In the News
Leatherneck Leatherneck

Leatherneck
January 1948
Pages 17-23.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article

Leatherneck
June 1948
Page 50.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article
Leatherneck National Geographic

Leatherneck
April 1949
Page 36.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article

National Geographic
October 1949
Pages 529-542.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article
Leatherneck Marines

Leatherneck
September 1993
Pages 18-21.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article

Marines
March 1998
Pages 22-27.

(US Marine Corps Museum-Washington, DC)

Click to View Complete Article
Lead off Photo:
(USMC Photo By Corporal W. T. Tittle)

Hdqtrs. No. 305388

 All Images are located at
The National Archives-College Park, MD
Click Here to Search

DOCUMENTS

FT-INDEX

PLEDGE

Home

Designed By: The Starman

You are Visitor #

Since April 26, 2004

Updated-November 12, 2008

Last Update-September 23, 2010