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)

 

 

The entire purpose of my websites and blogs for the past 25 years has been to collect and share the amazing work of the U.S. Army rail units of WWII and Korea. 

Both my father and uncle were officers and served in rail units in both wars. I've felt this unique service was being lost and forgotten. Luckily, so did the British author, Christian Wolmar. He contacted me about 2 years ago with his idea for this book and  I've worked with him as his research assistant on this project.  I am beyond thrilled to present:

The Liberation Line: The Untold Story of How American Engineering and Ingenuity Won World War II (U.S. Title)

The epic story of the railwaymen who ensured Allied victory in World War Two, published to coincide with the eightieth anniversary of D-Day.

As the Allied forces advanced through France following the Normandy landings, just behind the frontline the US Military Rail Service and their counterparts in the Royal Engineers were at work, ensuring that crucial supply lines were up and running – without them the liberation of France and the invasion of Germany would founder. 

Based on original research, The Liberation Line thrillingly reveals how the railwaymen overcame enemy attacks, sabotage and booby traps to repair many hundreds of miles of destroyed railway tracks and dozens of bridges and tunnels in order to deliver victory. Packed with tales of individual heroism, this is one of the last great untold stories of the war. 

The book will be published in May 2024 in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of D-Day. You can
per-order Amazon here: https://amz.run/76Q4 

 Christian will be doing a US tour with the book if you'd like him to speak to your organization email me. If you are interested in an autographed book or to have Christian speak to your group email me at militaryrailwayservice@gmail.com    Thanks, Nancy  (UK cover top left - US bottom right)

If you have any information on a soldier railroader I would love to hear from you! If your father, grandfather or other relative served let me know something about them. I would love to do a blog post about them. Nancy  email: militaryrailwayservice@gmail.com

You can order a signed copy from me here  

Christian Womar April 4th, 2024 promotional video!