First
Class Quarters
(Private First Class, that is) with berths stacked four-high. |
Hospital
Ward
was a little less cramped but not necessarily comfortable.
At least 60 wounded 508ers came home on this ship during seven
separate trans-Atlantic runs between September 1944 and January
1946. |
Going
Home!
January 1, 1946
The HMS "Queen Mary"
The 82 Airborne Division presents to Miss June Eyre
This remembrance of the glorious association of our two peoples in
War and Peace.
In Sicily and Italy in 1943 The Winged Horsemen of Great Britain
and the All American Troopers of the 82 set the stage for the
invasion of Europe and the formation of the First Allied Airborne
Army. Along with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st the western
ramparts were breached in Normandy and the fate of Germany was
sealed by the sacrifices of our gallant men at Arnhem, Eindhoven and
Nijmegen.
Yet again Allied Airborne made history across the vaunted
Rheine where the last remnants of Hunnish might were pounded
to pulp by the hooves of Pegasus and ripped into tatters by the
Eagles Talons of the 17th Airborne Division.
Together, U.S. and English glider troopers and parachutists
spearhead every decisive operation in the European Theatre.
And quite fittingly, the veteran "Queen Mary" has proved a gracious
hostess to the "All Americans" on their homeward voyage. The
memory will ever be a fond recollection of the officers and men of
the U.S. 82 Airborne Division through the new years of peace ahead.
Signed this 1st day of January 1946 by (numerous signatures
were applied) |