What gave men a draft deferment in World War 2?

Answer 1

My father was a train dispatcher for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Troops and war materials were moved by rail. Specially built troop cars were built for the military. Troop trains were handled by the various railroads and ran as first class trains on sections of passenger trains (on passenger train schedules).

I presume Engineers, Firemen, Hostlers, Hostler Helpers, Traveling Engineers, Brakemen, Flagmen, Conductors, Switchmen, Herders, Lamp Lighters, Yard Engine Foremen, Bleeders (Operating Craft railroad employees), roundhouse personnel (machinists, boiler makers, pipe fitters, wipers, electricians, Engine Carpenters, Sheetmetal Workers, Glaziers, and Riveters (non operating Craft railroad employees). Maintenance of Way Employees (section men, section foremen), Telegraph/Telephone Maintainers, Signal Maintainers, Station Operators, Station Agents, Yard Masters, Tower Operators and Levermen, Car Shop Machinists, Car Inspectors, greasers and Oilers. I am certain there are many other crafts I forgot to list.

Many (most) Passenger Trains "carried the mail" and they had Railway Post Office cars near the head end of the train. Mail bags were pick up on the fly and dropped off. The mail was sorted enroute and dropped off along the route and forwarded to its final destination.

Local Freight moved goods from town to town. Farm Equipment, coffins, seeds, fertilizer and many other items were carried in a Way Car that was normally behind the locomotive or locomotive consist. LTCL freight was off loaded from the box car to the freight house (a section of the Depot in small towns).

I am certain other industries important to the War Effort qualified men for deferment.

I hope this helps as a start.

Brían S. Du Bois

Evansville, IN

bsdubois@aol.com