First U.S. Troops arrive in the E.T.O.

26th January 1942: The first of millions of men and women to pass through the United Kingdom during the war arrive in Northern Ireland

Jan 26

A troopship arrives in Belfast on the 26th January 1942.

‘Some of the "dough boys" at the ships rail.’

Arriving: Private Milburn Henke, who was presented to the press as the 'first' United States soldier to step ashore, salutes as he lands at Dufferin Quay, Belfast, Northern Ireland. In reality a whole contingent of GIs had come ashore without distinguished reception.

The first US troops to officially arrive in the UK during the war landed in Belfast on the 26th January to great fanfare. At first they were just relieving British troops from garrison duties so they could be sent overseas, but in time over 300,00 US personnel would pass through Northern Ireland alone. It was an historic moment - considering that the US military has been stationed in the United Kingdom - and Europe - ever since. The designation European Theater of Operations (ETO) lasted until 1st July 1945.

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