The first American soldiers to land in Northern Ireland set sail from Nova Scotia on 10th January 1942 and sailed into Lough Foyle fourteen days later.

America had entered the war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941.

US 8th Infantry headquarters was in Lisnamallard House (behind Scotts Mill).

Knocknamoe Castle was a centre for intelligence gathering and many US Army personnel and Free French, Poles and others were stationed there during the war.

General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery are said to have met at Knocknamoe on at least three occasions while planning the Normandy landings.

The headquarters of 552nd Quarter Master Railhead Company was at Seskinore House, the home of the McClintocks. The 552nd arrived in Seskinore in October 1943.

Most of them were from New York and New Jersey.

Among other things there was a roasting coffee unit at Seskinore.

The railheads at Beragh and Seskinore were the supply depots for Seskinore.

The 552nd landed at Utah beach on D day + 4 (20th June 1944) with no casualties.

They were to follow the US Army advance through Europe supplying them with food and 'gasoline'.

A Red Cross centre was based in the Royal Arms Hotel and it served the GIs.

Why not share any stories or information YOU have about the American GI's when they were stationed in the Omagh area, or in fact anywhere in Northern Ireland. Reply to this article at the bottom of the page or e-mail ypam-online@bbc.co.uk