I have over the past 30 years frequently heard from Dutch families who participated in this US Soldier grave adoption - I now hear from the grandchildren of those families READ
The Forever Promise Project: Honoring and Remembering Fallen WWII American Soldiers in the Netherlands

I've researched all known Military Railway Soldier's deaths, here is the known burial in Netherlands. 

For Memorial Day visit this site and read some of the bios Here 

Military Railway Service: Honor List of Dead in World War II Rail soldiers ( spreadsheet ) who died 1942-1946. Designations: KIA- Killed in Action; DOI- Died of Injuries; DNB- Died Non battle; DOW- Died of wounds Most are listed as DNB-Died Non battle but remember their work was Non battle, so they died performing their duties. 

“... these men gave the last full measure of devotion” 

 Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863 

*I’ve identified 122 Military Rail dead, contact me if you know of others. 

 Here are all the know MRS soldiers killed during service HERE

Honoring the Men of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion: Four Soldiers, One Mission ( this was written by AI)

Throughout World War II, countless soldiers served in roles that were critical to the success of Allied operations but often went unnoticed. Among them were the dedicated members of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion, a specialized unit tasked with managing the military’s rail transport systems—vital for moving troops, equipment, and supplies across war-torn territories. Today, we honor four of those men, each of whom answered the call of duty with courage and commitment.
 William L. Broadwater

    Born: July 20, 1907
    Died: March 15, 1958
    Enlisted: January 7, 1941
    Discharged: November 16, 1945
    Rank: Private First Class
    Company: A, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Gibson's Cemetery, West Columbia, South Carolina

Broadwater was among the early enlistees of the war and served through the conflict’s end. His reclassification and later recall to active duty in 1943 reflect his continued importance to the U.S. Army's logistical efforts.
Thomas E. Delamanaras

    Born: August 22, 1906
    Died: November 26, 1949
    Enlisted: September 13, 1943
    Discharged: December 4, 1944
    Rank: Master Sergeant
    Unit: 717th Railway Operating Battalion and 23rd Transportation Corps (Rail Battalion Service)
    Final Resting Place: Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, New Jersey

He is listed as being a part of both the 717th and the 23rd Transport Corps in this application, Delamanaras’ connection to rail transport units places him in the same logistical family. He served with honor and returned home to rest among the veterans he helped support.
George A. Hudson

    Born: February 24, 1907
    Died: June 29, 1952
    Enlisted: December 1943
    Discharged: November 11, 1945
    Rank: Private First Class
    Company: A, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Kansas, Oklahoma

Hudson’s military record marks him as part of Company A, like Broadwater, and he was inducted in late 1943. His work with the battalion contributed directly to the transportation backbone of U.S. forces in Europe and beyond.
Hubert A. Mercer

    Born: March 16, 1914
    Died: October 2, 1961
    Enlisted: July 27, 1943
    Discharged: April 9, 1946
    Rank: Technician Fourth Grade (T/4)
    Unit: Headquarters Company, 717th Railway Operating Battalion
    Final Resting Place: Duck River Church Cemetery, Blount County, Alabama

Serving in the HQ Company of the 717th, Mercer likely held a leadership or technical support role—essential for coordination and communication within this complex transport unit.
Legacy of the 717th Railway Operating Battalion

These four men, drawn from different states and backgrounds, served in a battalion that was the logistical lifeline of military operations. Whether laying tracks, scheduling transports, or overseeing cargo loads, the soldiers of the 717th ensured that warfighters at the front lines were never without the supplies they needed.

Their stories remind us that not all heroes carry rifles—some carry rail maps and scheduling ledgers, and with them, the hopes of victory.

Let us remember William L. Broadwater, Thomas E. Delamanaras, George A. Hudson, and Hubert A. Mercer not only for their service but for embodying the quiet strength that powers every great endeavor

Remembering Three Heroes: Samuel Houseman, Norman Reed, and Gerald Higgins ( this was written by AI)

In the quiet cemeteries of Ohio and New York lie the honored remains of three servicemen whose stories echo through the legacy of military duty, sacrifice, and patriotism. Through the official "Application for Headstone or Marker" documents, we get a glimpse into the lives and service of Samuel D. Houseman, Norman Wayne Reed, and Gerald Joseph Higgins—each a veteran of pivotal 20th-century conflicts, and each deserving of remembrance.
Samuel D. Houseman (1901–1954)

Service: U.S. Army, WWII
Rank: Sergeant
Unit: 715th Railway Operating Battalion
Birth: October 14, 1901 – Ohio
Death: March 13, 1954
Burial: Memorial Cemetery, Wheelersburg, Ohio

Samuel Houseman enlisted in October 1942, at the age of 41, and served honorably in the U.S. Army until July 1945. Assigned to the 715th Railway Operating Battalion—a vital logistical unit responsible for operating military railways in war zones—Houseman played a crucial role in ensuring the transport of troops, supplies, and equipment. His dedication to service during World War II is commemorated by a flat bronze marker, reflecting both humility and honor. The application for his headstone was submitted by Mary E. Houseman of Lucasville, Ohio.
Norman Wayne Reed (1914–1946)

Service: U.S. Army, WWII
Rank: Technician Fifth Grade (T/5)
Unit: Company C, 715th Railway Operating Battalion
Birth: August 10, 1914 – Ohio
Death: September 30, 1946
Burial: Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Ohio

Norman Reed joined the Army in August 1942 and served with the same battalion as Houseman, the 715th Railway Operating Battalion. His role, rank, and company assignment suggest he too was involved in the intricate operations of wartime logistics. Sadly, he died just a year after his honorable discharge, at the young age of 32. His final resting place is Ferncliff Cemetery, where a flat granite marker stands in recognition of his service. His wife, Myrtle J. Reed, submitted the application for his headstone.
Gerald Joseph Higgins (1930–1960)

Service: U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War
Rank: Sergeant
Birth: April 28, 1930 – New York
Death: June 18, 1960
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, New York

Gerald Higgins enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1950 and served through the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge in April 1952. He died eight years later at the age of 30. Higgins's headstone application, submitted by his widow Mary Ann Higgins, highlights his status as a Marine sergeant and honors his sacrifice with a flat granite marker bearing the Latin Cross. The stone was placed in Holy Cross Cemetery, and arrangements were made by cemetery superintendent James Mullett.

More photos from Cioffi family  

Camp Ripley: a 53,000-acre regional training center near Little Falls, Minnesota, served as a crucial training ground for the Minnesota National Guard during World War II, and continues to be a primary training facility today.

Wonderful photos shared by Frank's grandson

 More from Frank's grandson .. Frank was a telegraph operator

Shawn grandson to Frank Cioffi writes ...

Thank you for your time and effort to help make sure these units are remembered for their valuable contributions. Also, thank you in advance for adding my grandfather to your blog. 

 Frank was very proud of his service and was deeply committed to his local American Legion the rest of his life. My grandfather attended ceremonial events and just about every commemorative wreath hanging event at veterans park in town year after year. In 1960-61 Frank Cioffi became the Commander of the American Legion. 

He loved the small town of Whitehall, New York that he lived, worked and served the community in for most of his life. 

Frank was also very proud of his Italian heritage and was the first generation born in the U.S. from his parents that came here through Ellis Island in 1912. He was a very friendly, kind person and could strike up a conversation with anybody.

His outgoing personality served him well throughout his life and also made him a successful bar and tavern owner the (Blue Goose) after his service.

I have enclosed a photo of him standing in front of the Blue Goose. (below)