Pete Devereaux of Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A served in the United States Army during the Second World War. He landed with troops in Belfast on 26th January 1942.
Pete Devereaux served in the United States Army during the Second World War. He hailed from Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A.
Devereaux arrived in Northern Ireland on 26th January 1942 aged 20 years old as part of the first contingent of American troops. Before enlisting, he worked as a drugstore clerk. On arrival, he spoke with a reporter from the Northern Whig newspaper:
Sure, I’m glad to be here but I guess I’d rather be back home. I suppose American people at present feel the threat of the Japanese more keenly than they do that of Hitler. After Pearl Harbour, that may be natural, but at the same time, we realise this war must be fought on all fronts, and we are ready to do our bit over here.