When America Landed (Paperback or Softback)

They didn’t invade.
They were invited.
And Newfoundland would never be the same.
In When America Landed, Jeff Peddle delivers a gripping, personal, and deeply researched account of the years when the United States military turned the quiet shores of Newfoundland into one of the most strategic hubs of World War II.
From Argentia to Stephenville, Gander to Goose Bay—American boots hit the ground, and everything changed:
Bases were built. Towns were transformed.
Chewing gum, nylons, and swing bands replaced cod traps and candlelight.
Hundreds of Newfoundland women fell in love with U.S. soldiers—marrying into new lives, new cultures, and new futures.
Ships sank. Planes soared. Famous performers brought Hollywood to the Rock.
And long after the war ended, the memories—and marriages—remained.
This is the story of how two cultures collided in a time of war, formed unbreakable bonds, and left behind a legacy still visible today in the names, faces, and foundations of Newfoundland.
If you grew up near an old base…
If your Nan married a Yankee…
If you’ve ever heard Glenn Miller play on a stormy night…
This book is your history.
For veterans, their families, Newfoundlanders, and history lovers alike—When America Landed is a tribute to the wartime generation that built bridges across borders and shaped the soul of a nation.

Jeff Peddle was born and raised in Newfoundland, where the sea shaped his soul and stories came with every tide. A former bouncer on George Street and a lifelong Rum collector & former politician & Storyteller of local legends, Jeff is known for capturing the humour, grit, and history of outport life like no one else.Jeff is the author of many books including: Rum 101 for Dummies Like Me, Rum 101 for Dummies Like Me Volume 2, Masks, Music & Mischief: The Global Tale of Mummering, and When America Landed-a compelling look at the U.S. military's impact on Newfoundland during World War II. In Dildo and the Whale, Jeff blends his passion for storytelling, rum, and real Newfoundland culture into a heartfelt tribute to a place and people who continue to evolve with the sea.Today, Jeff continues to write, consult, travel, and raise a glass to the Rock that raised him.