I later learned the area we first entered was the Promenade Deck in the main shopping area at the top of the grand staircase. It was not then generally known that the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth were being used as troop ships.

Once aboard, the captain made it quite clear as to the rules and regulations regarding security. My outfit, the 1308th Engineers G.S. Regiment, was assigned to main deck, amidships in the "white area". For security reasons the vessel was divided into three sectors designated by the colors, red, white and blue ... We carried almost 17,000 troops including the officers and nurses on this trip. We were informed that our speed would be 27-30 knots and that we would maintain a zig-zag course to prevent the enemy subs from "sighting up" on us.

"...each day we were required to police and clean up our areas and to assist with duties on deck as required. Also we were assigned extra classes in aircraft identification and a review of basic training skills. Then we had several sessions on how to conduct ourselves once we'd reached the British Isles. We were warned than previous G.I.s had, well—they'd caused ill will through crude and unseemly behavior. We were told that the British soldier was paid a much lesser sum, and that the G.I. should not, if he was in a pub or was fortunate to visit a British family, not in any way flaunt the money".

"The bedding arrangements were absolutely unbelievable. They had steel poles that went from ceiling to deck and attached to these, between each pair of poles, were bunks that would fold up each day so you could walk by. They would have anything from four, five...six, they had as many as six bunks and you only had a maximum of two feet between each bunk for sleeping.And so when a G.I. gets in the bunk, he sags down at least six inches so you only had about 18 inches - oh no, that was not my favorite sleeping arrangement! There wasn't much turning and tossing, except there was a very gentle roll".

"The fare was good if you like rice and beans and orange marmalade. I realize the logistics of feeding 17,000 troops and 450 nurses and officers twice a day. We were fed twice a day because the numbers involved would be overwhelming—17,000—and we were brought in the "mess hall" and given about twenty minutes to eat and then another group was brought in. The fare had to be limited because the amount of space on board ship and the troops. So I remember the rice and the beans and I'll never forget the orange marmalade as long as I live. It seemed we had that morning and night, all five days we were aboard. So to this day, I pass up the orange marmalade!"

After five smooth, uneventful days of perfect weather, we arrived at Gourock, mid-day on June 21, 1944. We were hastily removed from the Gray Ghost and boarded a train, The Flying Scotsman, (I think). My trip from Glasgow to the staging area in Southampton was unbelievably beautiful. The countrysides of Scotland and England are truly magnificent. We were in the Southampton area for only a few days, but I grew to love the fish and chips and the English hospitality. Then—we were off to Omaha Beach across the channel.