The Mediterranean and European theaters would challenge the new Transportation Corps with the diversity of terrain and complexity of the various infrastructure. Learning to operate in Deserts, across Mountains and eventually returning to many of the same places as the Corps saw in World War I, the network would grow to be the largest and most complex transportation network the world had seen until that point. The Army would field the iconic Jeep for general purpose Transportation use, while the Transportation Corps would field unique specialty vehicles like the DUKW to better enable offloading transport ships directly to undeveloped shorelines. Transportation Railroaders would have to work to restore and operate the long-standing but highly damaged European rail networks. Finally, the famed “Red Ball Express” demonstrated the WWII tagline of the Transportation Corp “Always there with the Supply Lines of Battle”.

The Red Ball Express diorama at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum depicts this critical effort by the new Transportation Corps in France during World War II.

African-American Soldiers work on a truck engine while another works on .50 caliber machinegun as part of the famed Red Ball Express. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

A Transportation Corps, Motor Transport Service insignia worn by members of the “Red Ball Express”. This version, likely made in Europe was worn by MAJ Cornelius Rinker. It was donated to the U.S. Army Transportation Museum collection by his family.

329th Harbor Craft Co Soldiers, entrain at Pier 8 Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation heading for Camp Patrick Henry upon their return to the United States in 1945.

Col Frank Hosak, U.S. Army Transportation Corps christens the first train to leave Paris for Germany at Care De L'est Station in 1945. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

DUKW's conducting Invasion training under the direction of 5th Army in Arzew Algeria. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

A Transportation Corps Brassard worn by Ray Stevens as a member of the 723rd Railway Operating Battalion during World War II IN Europe. Part of the collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

Heavily damaged port of Naples with U.S. Liberty ship and two smaller vessels docked beside burned out building. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

View of the Willys version of the jeep taken at the Engineering Standards Vehicle Laboratory in Detroit, MI. Part of the research collection of the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

A 1942 era U.S. Army Harley Davidson motorcycle in the U.S. Army Transportation Museum Collection.