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History . . .
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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. |
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To these Gallant men . . .
Members of the 497th Engineer Heavy Shop Company . . . |
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“ Men of the 497th Engineer
Heavy Shop Company . . . |
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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.
Activation Ceremonies, October 1, 1942, Peoria, Ill. |
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“ fellow Americans . . .
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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.
Activation Ceremonies, October 1, 1942, Peoria, Ill. |
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| Picnic at Mossville, September 20, 1942 |
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| Induction ceremonies at Court House Square, October 1, 1942 |
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| Mustered for the first time - roll call in front of the "Caterpillar" Show Room. |
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| Master of Ceremonies Paul Smith introduces Capt. Jean Walker |
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| Friends and relatives crowd the Court House lawn |
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| Men of the 497th march together for the first time down Liberty Street |
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| The Company entrains for Scott Field for processing |
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Seated: Lt. Joseph E. Geren, Capt. Jean Walker, R. G. Dunn. Standing: Lt. Warren W. Woodward, Lt. Edwin Andell. |
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| Commanding Officers Woodward, Walker and Andell. |
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| Capt. Walker and a detail of men at gas mask drill. |
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| The 497th in "fatigues" - on the Company street. |
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| Setting up exercises to limber up for the real day's work. |
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| Rifle inspection on the last day of basic training. |
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| Commanding officers of the 497th - Lt. Woodward, Capt. Walker and Lt. Andell. |
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| The officers on tent inspection. |
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| Sgt. Chenoweth, Pvt. Folkerts, and Tech 4th Gr. Paschon in the supply tent. |
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| On the Firing Line, at the Rifle Range. |
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| At the Rifle Range . . . |
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| . . . on the Firing Line . . . |
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| . . . and in the Pits. |
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| On the Anti-Aircraft Rifle Range. |
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| A moment of relaxation with the Company mascot. |
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| "Reporting for pay, Sir." |
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| The Company waits for the call to supper. |
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| Well, somebody must cut wood for the ranges. |
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| Hungry men line up at the mess hall. |
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| One end of the mess hall at Camp Claiborne. |
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| Open-air class in anti-tank tactics. |
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| On the march over Louisiana hills. |
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| Air attack! |
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| Simulated air attack. |
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| The 497th in "khakis" - at Camp Claiborne. |
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| More rifle inspection. |
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| More rifle inspection. |
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| More rifle inspection. |
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| A big job every day - cleaning rifles. |
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| Leaping a stream on field maneuvers. |
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| Practice going under barbed wire - and in a pouring rain. |
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| Another air attack. |
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| The end of a long hard day in the field. |
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| Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range. |
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| Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range. |
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| Mess in the field - a day at the Rifle Range. |
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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. |
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| A truckload of men leave for church. |
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| Always welcome - News and Views. |
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| A harmonious trio - Pvts. Hill, Gaede and Bruns. |
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