Crossing the Atlantic

Departed NY Port of Embarkation July 1942 in Naval Convoy. Arrived Gourock, Scotland with elements of 56th Signal Battalion aboard. An anxious two week voyage, in the U-boat infested waters of the North Atlantic Ocean in this recently quickly converted South American luxury liner. About 8000 troops aboard with "standing room only" accomodations.Fog and poor visibility was an asset during this journey. What a relief and appreciative sight to see the vivid green hills of Ireland approach the horizon after the two week journey. Little did I think that it would be three long years before I would be heading eastward for home and family again in this very same vessel...The SS Argentina, in June of 1945.

The Converted South American liner SS Argentina, with about 8000 military troops aboard left the NY Harbor in convoy during the intense German U-boat campaign to destroy US Shipping and prevent aid from reaching the United Kingdom. The ship arrived safely in Scotland and the Battalion was ferried to Northern Ireland. Company ï¿½Aï¿½ troops were engaged in building Airport Communications facilities north of London for the US Air Force to accommodate the growing Air Force. The Battalion HQ was later stationed in Bristol and Taunton, England, attached to the Fifth Corps of the United States First Army.