The US ARMY 14th Major Port Transportation Corps was established in Southampton  by 1 February 1944, its purpose being to control and administer the unloading of cargo from America up until 26 April 1944 followed by the embarkation of troops and equipment destined for Normandy on D-Day. There after the role included receiving war casualties as well as German prisoners of war. The headquarters of the 14th Major Port was in a wing of Southampton Civic Centre and on 29 October 1945 the unit was awarded the “Freedom of the City”.