 This photo taken from U.S. Army archives shows the 508th disembarking a ship. Given their history, this must have been when the USAT James Parker docked at Belfast after its 12 day journey from the port of New York City. There were probably many a man who was glad to get his feet on solid ground again. |
 A cropped and enlarged section of the photo at left. Note the 508th insignia hanging from the ship's superstructure and the men with duffle bags over their shoulders as they head down the gangplank. |  Lord Mayor's Welcome
to the U.S. Forces reads as:
"In The City hall Grounds, Belfast, stands a Stone, commemorating of the landing at this Port one the 12th January, 1942 of the First United States Expeditionary force in the present war.
How glad we were to welcome them, and to do all in was proper to make them at home, particularly as, to many Americans, Ulster is the land of their forebears.
Good luck to them wherever they may go.
/s/ Crawford McCullagh
Lord Mayor Crawford McCullough was knighted and known as Sir Crawford McCullagh. He served in 1931-1942 (ex officio - Belfast), 1943-1946 (ex officio - Belfast), Deputy Speaker 1939-41 and MP (NI) for South Belfast, 1921-25
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