715th Railway Operating Battalion Headstone Applications: Samuel Houseman, Norman Reed, and Gerald Higgins

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.