Comments on: Russell C. Eustice Recalls the Troop Train 2980 Tragedy at St. Valery-en-Caux During World War II http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:31:52 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jon Mercy http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-145730 Jon Mercy Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:19:01 +0000 #comment-145730 My father was in this unit and I never got a chance to talk to him about WWII if anyone remembers him I would love to hear more about him his name was Raymond William Mercy My father was in this unit and I never got a chance to talk to him about WWII if anyone remembers him I would love to hear more about him his name was Raymond William Mercy

]]> By: Mike Oliver http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-102287 Mike Oliver Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:09:42 +0000 #comment-102287 I got to meet Marion Beavers in 2004 when I took my father to a 782nd reunion in OK City. He was an engaging man with a good memory of the war. My father was a replacement tank driver for the 782nd; he joined the unit after the train wreck. I have a photo of my dad and Marion at the reunion; it is a special memory. I got to meet Marion Beavers in 2004 when I took my father to a 782nd reunion in OK City. He was an engaging man with a good memory of the war. My father was a replacement tank driver for the 782nd; he joined the unit after the train wreck. I have a photo of my dad and Marion at the reunion; it is a special memory.

]]> By: Chris Hager http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-99953 Chris Hager Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:05:18 +0000 #comment-99953 The Transportation Corps, then and now, have had some of the biggest REMFs, panzies and wussies the US Army has ever entertained. The article makes it plain: moving freight was the priority; moving soldiers was an afterthought. Railroad management is an oxymoron of the first order!!!!!!!!! If it is true that those injured in this incident were never able to prove Service Connection for VA benefits, it is a travesty!!!! The Transportation Corps, then and now, have had some of the biggest REMFs, panzies and wussies the US Army has ever entertained. The article makes it plain: moving freight was the priority; moving soldiers was an afterthought. Railroad management is an oxymoron of the first order!!!!!!!!! If it is true that those injured in this incident were never able to prove Service Connection for VA benefits, it is a travesty!!!!

]]> By: Richard Harris http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-72022 Richard Harris Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:43:37 +0000 #comment-72022 Marion Beavers was my Uncle and recently passed away he was on the train and part of the 782nd Battalion. In Memoriam of William Marion Beavers Facts Born: November 4, 1922 Place of Birth: Kay County, Oklahoma Death: May 31, 2009 Place of Death: Ponca City, Oklahoma Memorial donations can be made to: Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 William Marion Beavers November 4, 1922 - May 31, 2009 William “Marion” Beavers, Ponca City resident, died on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 86. Marion was born the son of William Steven Beavers and Ruth Ellen (Manahan) Beavers on November 4, 1922 in Kay County. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 19, 1943 and served in Europe with the 782nd Tank Battalion, Patton’s third army during World War II. Marion also served with Patton at the Battle of The Bulge. He survived the train wreck at St. Valery in France on January 17, 1945. Although 89 soldiers died and 152 were injured, the U.S. government did not recognize this incident. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and honorably discharged on February 7, 1946, at Camp Chafee, Arkansas. Shortly after returning from Europe, Marion married Una Marie Jones on July 23, 1945, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The couple made their first home in Blackwell, Oklahoma and moved to Ponca City in 1950. To this union, three children were born. Marion was employed with Continental Oil Company for 17 years and then went to work for American General Life Insurance Company, retiring in 1985. Marion was a longtime member of Sunset Baptist Church, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1201, American Legion, Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Marion had several enjoyments which included collecting coins, fishing and camping in Broken Bow at Beavers Bend. Marion took pride in maintaining the memory board that he designed and built. He created this board to honor members of the 782nd Battalion who passed away. Marion also loved country western music and loved to dance. He is survived by his loving wife, Marie of 63 years; son, Ronald Kent Beavers Sr. and his wife, Nora of Port Arthur, Texas; grandchildren, Ronald Kent Beavers Jr., and wife, Rene of Khema, Texas, William Troy Beavers and wife, Coretta of Groves, Texas and Stephen Marcus Beavers and wife, Kathryn of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Tiffany Beavers, Christina Beavers, Candace Beavers of Bridge City, Texas, Tori Caylen and Jacob Ryan Beavers, Christian Bryce Beavers, Autumn Hazel Beavers, Alyssa Denise Beavers and Ashley Beavers of Groves, Texas; one great great grandchild, Jazymn Beavers; sister, Genevere Lois Clements and husband, Louis of Edmond, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald Marion Beavers and daughter, Brenda Leigh Beavers; one brother and two sisters. Casket bearers for the service will be the Amen Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marion’s honor to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601. A funeral service will be held at 3:00p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Mike Sweetman officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Funeral Service Thursday June 4, 2009, 3:00 p.m. Marion Beavers was my Uncle and recently passed away he was on the train and part of the 782nd Battalion.

In Memoriam of William Marion Beavers

Facts
Born: November 4, 1922

Place of Birth: Kay County, Oklahoma

Death: May 31, 2009

Place of Death: Ponca City, Oklahoma

Memorial donations can be made to:
Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601

William Marion Beavers
November 4, 1922 – May 31, 2009

William “Marion” Beavers, Ponca City resident, died on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 86.

Marion was born the son of William Steven Beavers and Ruth Ellen (Manahan) Beavers on November 4, 1922 in Kay County. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 19, 1943 and served in Europe with the 782nd Tank Battalion, Patton’s third army during World War II. Marion also served with Patton at the Battle of The Bulge. He survived the train wreck at St. Valery in France on January 17, 1945. Although 89 soldiers died and 152 were injured, the U.S. government did not recognize this incident. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and honorably discharged on February 7, 1946, at Camp Chafee, Arkansas. Shortly after returning from Europe, Marion married Una Marie Jones on July 23, 1945, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The couple made their first home in Blackwell, Oklahoma and moved to Ponca City in 1950. To this union, three children were born.

Marion was employed with Continental Oil Company for 17 years and then went to work for American General Life Insurance Company, retiring in 1985. Marion was a longtime member of Sunset Baptist Church, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1201, American Legion, Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Marion had several enjoyments which included collecting coins, fishing and camping in Broken Bow at Beavers Bend. Marion took pride in maintaining the memory board that he designed and built. He created this board to honor members of the 782nd Battalion who passed away. Marion also loved country western music and loved to dance.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marie of 63 years; son, Ronald Kent Beavers Sr. and his wife, Nora of Port Arthur, Texas; grandchildren, Ronald Kent Beavers Jr., and wife, Rene of Khema, Texas, William Troy Beavers and wife, Coretta of Groves, Texas and Stephen Marcus Beavers and wife, Kathryn of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Tiffany Beavers, Christina Beavers, Candace Beavers of Bridge City, Texas, Tori Caylen and Jacob Ryan Beavers, Christian Bryce Beavers, Autumn Hazel Beavers, Alyssa Denise Beavers and Ashley Beavers of Groves, Texas; one great great grandchild, Jazymn Beavers; sister, Genevere Lois Clements and husband, Louis of Edmond, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald Marion Beavers and daughter, Brenda Leigh Beavers; one brother and two sisters.

Casket bearers for the service will be the Amen Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marion’s honor to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Mike Sweetman officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Funeral Service
Thursday June 4, 2009, 3:00 p.m.

]]> By: Joel F Hanson Jr http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-58479 Joel F Hanson Jr Tue, 05 May 2009 01:42:00 +0000 #comment-58479 My father was a tank commander in the 782d. He told me about the train wreck. He was one of two men in the box car to survive the carsh. He was taken to a French hospital about six miles from Camp Lucky Strike. He told me that the only food they could get there was saur kraut. He had both legs broken, but after two weeks, he could no longer stand the food and walked the six miles back to Camp Lucky Strike on Crutchs. My Dad passed away in 2002 and I still miss him but am thankful for the sacrifice that he and the others on this train for the freedom that we enjoy today. God bless the families of all of the men and women on this train. My father was a tank commander in the 782d. He told me about the train wreck. He was one of two men in the box car to survive the carsh. He was taken to a French hospital about six miles from Camp Lucky Strike. He told me that the only food they could get there was saur kraut. He had both legs broken, but after two weeks, he could no longer stand the food and walked the six miles back to Camp Lucky Strike on Crutchs. My Dad passed away in 2002 and I still miss him but am thankful for the sacrifice that he and the others on this train for the freedom that we enjoy today. God bless the families of all of the men and women on this train.

]]> By: Bill Alsobrook http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-31704 Bill Alsobrook Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:00:41 +0000 #comment-31704 My granddad was a medic in the 782nd Tank BN and was in this wreck. My granddad was a medic in the 782nd Tank BN and was in this wreck.

]]> By: Kay Weatherford Schanzer http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-29153 Kay Weatherford Schanzer Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:25:52 +0000 #comment-29153 My father was on this train and was killed. Above is my sister's posting. I visited my father's grave at Normandie Beach and even now there is no record of how he died. He was in the 782 Tank Batallion. His name was Weldon W. Weatherford better known as Red. If anyone reads this that was on the ship going over to France, I wonder if you remember a man in one of the bands that played the "fiddle". He was half Irish and had a band in Texas before joining the Army. My sister and I have tried throughout the years to find out anything we can about him as our mother would not talk about him nor were our questions ever answered by her or his family. He came from a large family in West Texas and was the baby in a fatherless family. We were told the family was devastated at his death. He was the favorite. Please contact me at drkayschanzer@sbcglobal.net if you know anything about my father and/or how he died in the wreck. Thank you Mr. Eustice for making this information known. You have done a great service to us all. My father was on this train and was killed. Above is my sister’s posting. I visited my father’s grave at Normandie Beach and even now there is no record of how he died. He was in the 782 Tank Batallion. His name was Weldon W. Weatherford better known as Red. If anyone reads this that was on the ship going over to France, I wonder if you remember a man in one of the bands that played the “fiddle”. He was half Irish and had a band in Texas before joining the Army. My sister and I have tried throughout the years to find out anything we can about him as our mother would not talk about him nor were our questions ever answered by her or his family. He came from a large family in West Texas and was the baby in a fatherless family. We were told the family was devastated at his death. He was the favorite. Please contact me at drkayschanzer@sbcglobal.net if you know anything about my father and/or how he died in the wreck. Thank you Mr. Eustice for making this information known. You have done a great service to us all.

]]> By: Donna Weatherford Mora http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-29045 Donna Weatherford Mora Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:51:40 +0000 #comment-29045 My father was on the train and was killed. His name was Walter "Red" Weatherford. I had always been told that the wreck was as a result of some type of derailing. I never knew any more than this. I had never seen photographs or knew any more until today as I decided to do a little research to see what I could find out since the anniversary of his death was last week. My father was on the train and was killed. His name was Walter “Red” Weatherford. I had always been told that the wreck was as a result of some type of derailing. I never knew any more than this. I had never seen photographs or knew any more until today as I decided to do a little research to see what I could find out since the anniversary of his death was last week.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-28441 Lisa Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:28:00 +0000 #comment-28441 My Uncle Otis Sebren was on the train. He was injured (both legs were broken. They were pinned by wreckage.) I wonder if he is the one mentioned on page 2. He still is a card player. Thank you Mr. Eustice, for the story and for your service to our country! My Uncle Otis Sebren was on the train. He was injured (both legs were broken. They were pinned by wreckage.) I wonder if he is the one mentioned on page 2. He still is a card player. Thank you Mr. Eustice, for the story and for your service to our country!

]]> By: neil morse http://www.historynet.com/russell-c-eustice-recalls-the-troop-train-2980-tragedy-at-st-valery-en-caux-during-world-war-ii.htm/comment-page-1#comment-22098 neil morse Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:10:32 +0000 #comment-22098 My grandfather was Reed Morse. I have a booklet put out on the crash. There are some great photos in it. My grandfather was Reed Morse. I have a booklet put out on the crash. There are some great photos in it.

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