This amazing shot from 1945 shows happy service members entering NewYork Harbor after a hard won World War II. It's amazing to see how many service members actually sailed this ship home.
The Queen Elizabeth was orginally fitted as a luxury liner along with her sister ship, the Queen Mary...but due to her enormous capacity she was secretly fitted for war and after serving the nation admirably retired into cruise life.
"Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were both used as troop transports during the war. Their high speeds allowed them to outrun hazards, principally German U-boats, usually allowing them to travel outside a convoy. During her war service as a troopship, Queen Elizabeth carried more than 750,000 troops, and she also sailed some 500,000 miles (800,000 km)." Wikipedia
Photo via Margie Marie