Richard writes ... 

1) I’ve attached the link to a British Army MRS book 'Railway Reconstruction In Italy 1943 - 1946' that a fellow Italian MRS enthusiast, Mr. Alessandro Tuzza, posted on his Italian website. The link to his website is: https://www.trenidicarta.it/reconstruction/contents.html

  2) The book was written and published by the British Royal Engineers in 1946. The majority of the book details the operations of the British Army Railway Construction Units and Operating Railway Units during the entire Italian campaign, but it does include numerous mentions of the US Army MRS Operating Units and Construction Engineer Units that aided the British. 

The website does not include the entire book, unfortunately, and it does have several useful sections missing, but the posted material is both useful and informative, and includes several photos and maps. The listed sections are marked in the normal blue link text on the Introduction Page. 

I suggest you add the link to your website since it will aid USA researchers of the MRS and educate them about the extensive role the British Army MRS and Construction Units played during the Italian campaign.

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.

 Albert Blythe 

Silas E. Foster

War time editions of N.Y. Central Railroad Headlight are a goldmine and this edition includes mentions of soldiers in these units:

• 2^nd MRS Rhine bridge photo
• 712^th ROB Mulligan
• 138^th Hospital Train Maintenance
• 735^th ROB M.P. Wood
• MRS McGlynn
• MRS thefts
• 744^th RGD
• 715the ROB Runion
• 723^rd POL in Germany
• 721^st ROB Ryan
• 721^st Tracy and Iran
• 701st RGD DeLisle

Matt wrote about his Uncle Ted - after years of thinking Ted was in the 716th he now knows Ted was actually in the 715th Railway Operating Battalion. 

 He sent some great photos and a little about Ted ! Thanks 

Thomas T. Simard (87) passed away in January of 2001 of pneumonia. He was born in Island Pond, Vermont in 1914. His parents were Thomas & Odiana Simard of Island Pond, Vermont. He was pre-deceased by his parents Thomas and Odiana, His Brother Stanley, His Sisters Bernadine Wilbur and Arlene Morse, and by his wife Lucy in 1986. Ted and Lucy did not have any children, but left behind many adoring nieces and nephews. Ted worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad (later owned by Canadian National Railways) from the early age of 14. He started as a messenger boy. Through his 50 years working there he held many jobs including Carman, and at his retirement he had been the operator of Train Wreck Recovery Crane #50029 for many years. During WWII Ted was called to duty. He served in the 716th Railroad Operating Unit, operating in Europe. He did many of the same railway jobs he was trained in at home during the war. After the war, he returned to his home in Island Pond, Vermont and resumed his career with the Railroad. 

He retired in 1978. During his free time he enjoyed hunting and fishing , visiting with relatives and friends, and spent Winters in Florida many years after retirement. Visits with him, and hearing his many railroading adventure stories will be greatly missed. Ted Simard receiving a special gift in 1965. 

A scale model of the crane he operated for decades. He is the one standing closest to the crane.

His granddaughter, Melissa writes .... 

Charles Wesley Lewis was morn Jan 24, 1919 and passed Dec 6, 1986 Once home to West Virginia he began work in the coal mines eventually getting his Mine Foreman's Certificate in 1953. Was a member of the local Lions Club and an avid gardener. 

He had bright blue eyes and a warm toothy smile, a wicked sense of humor and a great story teller, and he never met a stranger. Sadly he passed at only 67 from complications of emphysema and Black Lung Disease. 

*Thanks Melissa for sharing these with us !

Names: Griffith, Stephenson, Black, Calhoun and White

Other Units mentioned: 740th Railway Operating Battalion, 719th Railway Operating Battalion, 725thRailway Operating Battalion, 714th Railway Operating Battalion,725th Railway Operating Battalion,726th Railway Operating Battalion, 712th Railway Operating Battalion, 730th Railway Operating Battalion

Military Railway Service Journal Nov 1956 by Nancy on Scribd

William P Benner May 17, 1921 - September 01, 2013

William P. Benner, age 92, of Lemont, IL, formerly of Ft. Wayne, IN passed away Sept. 1st, 2013. A veteran of WWII, served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army with Company C, 715th Railway Operations Battalion. Beloved husband of Theresa nee Wozniak, and the late Wanda I. Benner; loving father of Judy (William) Herman; adored grandfather of the late Chad Kelley, and late infant Wesley Kelley, Rex Wise, Angela (Scott) Grosetephon, and Leslie (Ryan) Pressley; cherished great-grandfather of (6) six.
He worked as a brakeman/conductor for the Penn Central Railroad, and retired after 43 yrs. service with Conrail. He was a member of Local #0298 United Transportation Union for 73 yrs. Funeral services Wednesday Sept. 4, 2013, 9:30a.m. from Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C., 108 Illinois St., Lemont, IL 60439, to SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, for Mass at 10 a.m. Interment parish cemetery

715.pdf by Nancy