it left Camp Travis, had brought it overseas, commanded it during its A. E. F. training and during its
entire participation during the war, had led it as Brigade Commander on its march into Germany and as
part of the Army of Occupation, and had been identified with its every chapter except that of its
organization and training at Camp Travis.
During the months of February and March 1919, the drill schedules were followed closely. Rifle
ranges were constructed at each Battalion Station and target practice for each company completed. The
Regiment was also instructed in the McNabb system by 2nd Lieutenant W. I. Stewart, who had been
sent to the Regiment as special instructor in this system.
April brought news of an early departure back to the United States, to be preceded by an
inspection and review by the Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces. Every effort
during the first weeks in April were devoted to preparation for this review and later move, and on April
23, 1919 the Regiment entrained for Wittlich, where on the next day they took part in the inspection and
review by General Pershing and the Divisional Commander.
This was a most momentous occasion for the 358th Infantry. It was the culmination of its work
and record in the American Expeditionary Forces, and proud of its opportunity the Regiment presented
an appearance that brought forth commendation from the Commander in Chief. At this time, the
Regimental colors, which had been carried in Camp Travis, overseas, proudly through the streets of
Liverpool, through France and upon the two most important fronts the American troops ever occupied
and on through into Germany as it marched as part of the Army of Occupation, were decorated with the
streamers that had been so proudly won. These decorations pinned on by General Pershing, bear the
following inscription:
Villers-en-Haye Sector, France, August 24th to September 11, 1918.
St. Mihiel Offensive, France, September 12th to September 16, 1918.
Luvenelle Sector, France, September 17th to October 10, 1918.
Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France October 22nd to November 11, 1918.
The first of May finds the 358th Infantry making its final preparations preparatory to leaving
Germany for France and to sail back to that land for which so many of its members have made the
supreme sacrifice and for which all of its members have given their best to defend and maintain. Its
record extends over a period of 20 months, from the time it was organized, trained, brought overseas,
through the time it had been tested by fire and found not wanting and writing its place in American
History. Every objective it was ever assigned was taken either before or by the specified time; every
burden it has been asked to carry has been carried willingly and properly as fighters and soldiers; and as
American men maintaining a high standard of honor, clean living and good discipline, its record is held
and valued proudly by all those who ever belonged to it. It goes back, with many of those who came
over with it left behind in the sod of France; with many more bearing with them the evidences of
German warfare; with many now a part of it who came not with it but who have added since their
joining, only additional luster to its name, and feeling proud of that order issued by the Commanding
General of the Ninetieth Division just after the armistice in which he said:
“In conference with the Commanding General, First U. S. Army at his headquarters this date, he
informed me that he had recently reported to the Commander-in-Chief, American Expeditionary Forces,
‘The 90th division is as good as … Divisions you have not a better division; it is as good and dependable
as any Division in the Army.’ Furthermore, the Commanding General, First Army, authorized me to
impart this information to the division.”
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