Guide to the Thomas Anthony Fante War Department File MS 646
Library & Archives staff
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
2021
Contributing Institution:
California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives
Title: Thomas Anthony Fante's war department file
Identifier/Call Number: MS 646
Physical Description:
.03 Linear Feet
2 folders
Date (inclusive): Jun. 1942 - Feb. 1955
Abstract: Military record of Thomas Anthony Fante, who served in the United States 716th Railway Operating Batallion from October 23,
1943 until September 30th, 1946.
Physical Location: Statewide Museum Collections Center
Language of Material:
English
.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Tom M. Fante, 2017
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff for details.
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of
the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Thomas Anthony Fante was born on May 27, 1917. He grew up in Roseville, California. He worked for Southern Pacific as a trainmaster's
clerk, clerk-stenographer, and secretary to the assistant vp of operations. In 1943, Fante was conscripted into military service
as an officer and was assigned to the 716th Railway Operating Batallion, which was sponsored by Southern Pacific, whose employees
made up the bulk of the officer class. The Batallion deployed to Europe in December 1943.
Fante served in the Batallion as a trainmaster, yardmaster, assistant chief dispatcher and transportation officer in France
before he was transferred to Germany in 1946, where he was given the responsibility of denazifying and reorganizing the German
Railway Division. He received the rank of captain. After his service concluded in September 1946, he returned to Southern
Pacific's headquarters in San Francisco, where he worked as a transporation specialist. Mr. Fante became a reserve officer
for the Department of the Army. He served in this capacity until February 18, 1955 when he received an honorable discharge.
Mr. Fante died on January 27, 2010. He was survived by his wife Floradale Maxine and a son Thomas M. Fante.
Military record of Thomas Anthony Fante, who served in the United States 716th Railway Operating Batallion from October 23,
1943 until September 30th, 1946. Information in Army file 201 includes: records of appointment, assignments, promotions, a
copy of his honorable discharge, record of separation, names and addresses of members of the 716th Batallion, and his application
to become a reserve officer. There is a letter to Southern Pacific Company President A.T. Mercier, praising Mr. Fante's work
in France and Germany.
Photographs of Thomas A. Fante and of a Southern Pacific dinner honoring SP Vice President, Systems Operation James W. Corbett
upon his retirement have been added to the CSRM photograph collection. Three periodicals, "The 716th High-Ball" and a book
about the 716th Railway Operating Batallion have been added to our Library Catalog.
[Identification of item], Fante (Thomas Anthony) War Department File, MS 646, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives,
Sacramento, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945--Regimental histories--United States--716th Railway Operating Battalion.Fante, Thomas Anthony, 1917-2010